I have a theory

This is my first "official" post in the forum, thank you all for the welcome, glad to be here!

We got our cat Moki from the humane society and he was declawed. We've had a problem with him biting but he rarely broke the skin. I think the reason why he bites is because of his lack of front claws...

We haven't really disciplined him about the biting, and he seems to do it less now that he's become more comfortable with us. It's rare for him to bite, but he still does it occasionally.

Not sure if we should discipline him or not. When we first got him he had a number of behavior problems and I didn't dare discipline him because I didn't want to make it worse. I've read about having a water spray bottle available for when he bites, but it should be done right at the time of biting.

Any thoughts or suggestions? I'd love to hear them!

Hi and welcome! It sounds like you have a very greatful kitty in your home, you have given him respect and he has in return (whatever prior behavioral problems were). I really would NOT recommend the spray bottle discipline, he is older and sounds a bit on the defensive as it is. The best response to this behavior is to vocally respond to it. Let out a loud "owww, no, bad ". The spray method would possible set him back, often it is not directly associated with the actual behavior but to the water and the person spraying.

Many declawed cats will bite more because they have no defense. When he bites, try "hissing" at him - usually that works since you don't want to hit him or anything to make him more defensive.

Also try relaxing your hand, stop petting, and tell him NO in a firm voice. They catch on fast the no petting/games will be the result of biting. When he's nice and doesn't bite, then praise him and pet him more

I agree with that. One of mine is a bit of a biter (has claws but is fond of the 'warning grab with mouth' when he's not happy) and the best thing to do is freeze and say NO very sternly and hiss.

I don't hold with spraying, I don't honestly believe that it achieves anything except to shock the cat, and while that may make him instantly stop and run away, he hasn't learned anything positive from it so it is not a good tool for behaviour modification in the long-run. Also if water goes in their ears they can become prone to ear infections.

Thanks, I haven't thought of the "hissing" approach, that's good! I do say "no" and "bad" and he does respond to it.

I didn't like the spray bottle idea either because it's a bit too much and he probably won't get it. I forget where I read about this idea... the other thing is that you have to have it handy right then when the bad behavior is going on.

Some people probably use it for when cats get on counter tops, don't know...

Anyway, thanks for the info!

We used to use the spray bottle on Seb. It worked - all he has to do is see the bottle and he will stop whatever he is doing and run away. BUT, he makes him fear me and that isn't a good thing. I haven't used the bottle in ages and have found a firm NO or saying his name loudly works just as well. He isn't a dummy and can understand when I don't want him doing something.

Daphne has no fear of water or me and I want to keep it that way Seb will get overstimulated and grab my hand with his teeth. That is a sign for both of us to stop.