Newly adopted cat bites when pet

houdini

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Hi guys! I'm really hoping for me answers or advice. I just adopted my very first cat, Houdini. He is going to be two, and is a fixed, claws-in-tact male. He doesn't get along with other cats, and was staying in a storage room alone, as he couldn't be with the other cats in the rescue. We have no other cats, so this is not the issue.

Anyway, Houdini was fantastic the first two days of coming home. He was sweet, and cuddled. He lives in the basement with me, as the upstairs is separated by a garage. He is allowed upstairs through out the day. In the basement, he has a cat tee, toys all over, my bed, and just about everything he needs.

He has now become more independent, as he does not cuddle often and will often bite me if I try to pet him. Recently, he went for my leg.

I am working on setting a set feeding schedule and eventually will witch to a raw diet.

Is his bad attitude due to not beg allowed upstairs? I try to stimulate him with play, but he only takes the bait for a minute tops. He prefers solo play.  This is my first cat, and I really would prefer a nice, snuggly cat. He has no other serious behavior issues except for not wanting to be pet. Sometimes he will get a little upset if I'm sitting on the chair he likes. Dominance issues???
 
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stephenq

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Hi guys! I'm really hoping for me answers or advice. I just adopted my very first cat, Houdini. He is going to be two, and is a fixed, claws-in-tact male. He doesn't get along with other cats, and was staying in a storage room alone, as he couldn't be with the other cats in the rescue. We have no other cats, so this is not the issue.

Anyway, Houdini was fantastic the first two days of coming home. He was sweet, and cuddled. He lives in the basement with me, as the upstairs is separated by a garage. He is allowed upstairs through out the day. In the basement, he has a cat tee, toys all over, my bed, and just about everything he needs.

He has now become more independent, as he does not cuddle often and will often bite me if I try to pet him. Recently, he went for my leg.

I am working on setting a set feeding schedule and eventually will witch to a raw diet.

Is his bad attitude due to not beg allowed upstairs? I try to stimulate him with play, but he only takes the bait for a minute tops. He prefers solo play.  This is my first cat, and I really would prefer a nice, snuggly cat. He has no other serious behavior issues except for not wanting to be pet. Sometimes he will get a little upset if I'm sitting on the chair he likes. Dominance issues???
Does he accept any petting? For a period of time and then he bites?  Or right away?  Where did you get him from and did they have any behavior history with him?
 
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houdini

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Sometimes he will accept petting. In the morning he often approaches in a calm, happy manner and will allow me to pet for a couple minutes then leaves and/or tries to bite. During the day he may accept a pet or two, then he will strike. Most of his bites are relatively soft, but sometimes he will "stalk" and attack my hands/legs in a more aggressive manner. His behavior history says he has never attacked or bitten, but that he is not a "lap cat". He will sleep at the foot of my bed at night. I try to play with him to get his energy out, but he doesn't engage for more than a  minute. He has also ripped his cat food bag, and treat bags open causing him to vomit.

I'm pretty upset because I do not have the heart to "return" or get rid of him, but being my first cat I was wanting a more affectionate/non aggressive cat and the Henry County Humane Society knew this. I believe they just wanted him out & played him out to be a better cat. He also is cat aggressive, so another cat is not likely.

I want to have a good relationship, and help Houdini become the cat I know he can be.

 

jennyr

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You probably need to give him more time, and accept things on his terms for awhile. Newly adopted shelter cats are liable to be inconsistent in their behaviour - they are testing their environment, the people they are with and the limits they think they might have. Also they are not used to petting and although they like the feeling, it stimulates the nerve ends and many cats cannot take it for more than a few minutes. Gradually, the time they will allow increases. Just watch him carefully for any signs he has had enough like tail or whisker twitching and stop at once. He will soon realise that you understand his limits and will probably gradually let you go on longer. But it can be a long journey with a cat who has to learn everything about being a house cat. It is often the most rewarding relationship in the end - the trust they will place in you has no limits.
 

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Thank you for this. I was going through this post and I have adopted a shelter kitty too, however, she fostered and live in a home with other cats. She wasn't overly affectionate when we first got her, but is slowly coming around. She does still nip if you pet her for too long. She used to do it if you held her for too long and but she doesn't do that anymore. It's sometimes frustrating because I also wanted a cuddly and was told that she was very cuddly and affectionate. I just figure if I give her more time and don't push her limits that she will eventually let me pet her and hold her a little longer, perhaps even a cuddle? She did come over a couple of weeks ago and curled up against my legs which is unusual for her. She hasn't done it since, but I figure that was a good sign! Even my old roommate came over last week and asked if she had gotten nicer! Haha. 
 
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houdini

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Best of luck Soph! I feel that we got him for a reason. He would have been moved into a barn, alone, if no one came to adopt him. He may not be affectionate at the moment, but either way I made the decision to sign those adoption papers and to me there is no looking back. Someday I may try introducing another cat, even though he doesn't like them. He may change his mind. Also going to the vet soon- he has watery eyes, sneezing, and he has thrown up 3 times since November 24th.

I just have to keep reminding myself that patience is the key!
 

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Thank you! Yes, I believe everything happens for a reason! Thank goodness you decided to take him in :) I completely understand what you're saying. I'm the same way. I see other people's cats and get jealous...but then I realize that when Sophie finally decides I'm worthy of her affection that will make all that more special. Sounds like they both had hard lives to start off, so I can understand them being a little more standoff-ish than most. I supposed it would be different if she was younger when I had adopted her. You're right! Patience is definitely key in these situations!

Sorry to hear that Houdini is not feeling well. Hopefully he gets better soon!
 

stephenq

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Sometimes he will accept petting. In the morning he often approaches in a calm, happy manner and will allow me to pet for a couple minutes then leaves and/or tries to bite. During the day he may accept a pet or two, then he will strike. Most of his bites are relatively soft, but sometimes he will "stalk" and attack my hands/legs in a more aggressive manner. His behavior history says he has never attacked or bitten, but that he is not a "lap cat". He will sleep at the foot of my bed at night. I try to play with him to get his energy out, but he doesn't engage for more than a  minute. He has also ripped his cat food bag, and treat bags open causing him to vomit.

I'm pretty upset because I do not have the heart to "return" or get rid of him, but being my first cat I was wanting a more affectionate/non aggressive cat and the Henry County Humane Society knew this. I believe they just wanted him out & played him out to be a better cat. He also is cat aggressive, so another cat is not likely.

I want to have a good relationship, and help Houdini become the cat I know he can be.

here are 2 good articles on cats who "over stimulate".  Also, note that some cats have certain areas of their bodies that they don't want petted so be on the lookout for that and respect that if you find it.  Also watch for body language that indicates he is getting close to the point of over stimulating like tail swishing, pupils dilating and respect that by backing off before the cat over-stims.

http://www.treehouseanimals.org/site/PageServer?pagename=caring_ccg_overstimulation

http://www.littlebigcat.com/behavior/overstimulation-petting-related-aggression/

and a video

 
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houdini

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Thanks for all the answers guys! I have been trying to immediately stop petting him when he has twitchy tail/dilated pupils. I ignore him, walk away, etc. 

One last question: What do I do while he is attacking/biting aggressively? Last night he hoped on my bed, thinking my hands were prey and was ready to pounce them. Before he had the chance, I slid him off the bed. It was not out of anger, or rough. I just slid him off to protect myself. Is this okay? I do not want him to fear me, or think I am angry. I felt guilty. Just not sure how else to respond?
 

matts mom

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Pushing him off of you is ok, it tells him that you're done playing...especially if followed up by ignoring or walking away. He might continue to pounce/bite, as my Matt did when we first got him, but it shouldn't take too long to get the message. 

In the beginning, there were times with Matt when I was obligated to scruff him and pull him off of my wrist before walking away, and closing the door behind me, because he would 'lion-hug' me and chew my hands....but it doesn't sound like your guy is that bad :)
 

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I don't know if your cat bites and scratches out of viciousness or if he just wants to play and is insistent.  Most cats scratch when they play, but some seem to know better than others when they are hurting you.  Some think you're invincible.

I had a cat with whom I was very close but did not like to be petted.  He got so that he would sleep next to me in bed but not cuddle.  He was just not that sort of cat.  He'd let me pet his paws and they respond to a woman's high pitched voice, so when I would talk to him for periods of time in bed he'd like it and start purring just from me talking. 

We grew close in spite of his not wanting to cuddle or be petted.  I suppose they're like people.  Some people are not outwardly affectionate, but that in no way means they don't want to love and be loved.  They just express it differently and I'm ok with that.  Accept your little guy for who he is.  Talk to him a lot in soft loving tones.  Try singing to him, maybe.

Cats cannot fill out forms regarding matchmaking, like you might for a human friend.  You just get what you get.  You should learn that he'll meet you as far as his own psyche will allow.  You have to look for more subtle signs of love and they WILL be there if you are sensitive enough. 
 

BonitaBaby

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I'll post my experience with my precious baby Bonita, although she now thinks her name is "Baby!".
  She was captured by the animal rescue last January. Then, rescued by a rescue shelter. She was about 3.5 years old when they got her. She was feral/semi-feral/stray. I met her and she was not sweet then. I tried to pet her with a long pet down the head towards her back and she immediately turned her head and bit my hand. She obviously did not want her back touched. She didn't bite to break my skin, however. I suddenly wasn't sure if I wanted her anymore, but I'd driven 1.5 hours in traffic to get her and was feeling like maybe she would never get adopted if she was a biter. I decided to take her home after all.

We had a stupid tiff problem after about a week when I was too concerned about whether she was trying to establish dominance over me or not. Things like her not covering her poop, etc. She is very into independent play sometimes, but she does enjoy our play sessions. I can't really play with her like other cats because she is very territorial about her toys. She makes distressed noises when I pick up her favorite toys to try to play with her. Stuff like that. I did figure out that she loves to chase or catch crumpled flyers!! So we play together that way since stupid flyers are constantly in my mailbox. I'll also roll cage balls with rattles in them across the floor for her to chase. We can't play wands because she gets really upset if I don't just let her take her wand toy immediately. She plays best if I cut the feathers off the wands (no string) and give them to her. She has so much enjoyment playing by herself with those and gets upset it I pick them up to even move them . We play laser sometimes although she quickly figured out it's me controlling the laser. =/

I gave her her space and distance but I'd forget and accidentally pet her back and she'd turn her head and bite me...then over time, she let me pet her back once before biting, then after more time, I'd get to pet twice before she'd bite, then eventually, after about a month and a half, she pretty much just lets me pet her a bunch until she's had enough. After a month and a half, I started trying to pick her up to carry her and the first time, I had to put her down right away. I kept trying and quickly putting her down and gradually she started letting me carry her for a minute or two. Sometimes I put her down somewhere she doesn't want to be though and she'll bite, but not to break my skin. You basically have to build up the trust. Let Houdini see that you aren't going to hurt him and that you're going to take care of him if you are keeping him. My cat was very affectionate for the second week when she was allowed out of her safe room and then that lessened as she became more used to my apt/her new home, but sometimes she comes for snuggles and is so adorable!!!

I love her like crazy and I seriously think I got the perfect cat for me. I was a bit scared of her at first, which means I wouldn't do anything to harm her like in those "funny" cat videos where people are doing stuff to their cats. Sometimes she pounces on my feet in bed, but fortunately, my comforter keeps her teeth off of me. About once a month, she starts biting my hand multiple times without breaking the skin and then I know it's time to change the Feliway plug-in diffuser. I change it and she stops biting me. If you can add those to your cat budget and they work on your cat, I'd suggest trying that. First, get a Feliway spray or Comfort Zone with Feliway spray and spray it on the things in your basement and see if your cat immediately calms down and is peaceful. If it works, spray it daily and then get the plug-in diffusers and change those about every 3.5 weeks. Amazon sells them for a good price.

For his food, you should get an airtight storage container. Target sells cheap ones. That will not only keep your cat out of his food, but it will also keep his dry food fresher longer.

I seriously think part of why my cat seems to love me so much sometimes is the amount of things I have bought for her.
I present things to her...like I assume cats try to do when they bring people dead mice and birds. Although I enjoy buying stuff for her, I realized that when I bring home a bunch of flyers that were in my mailbox, she thinks I'm bringing stuff, so I put them down on the ground and say, "Here's your mail!"
She also loves empty cardboard boxes if they're the right sizes.

But I'm pretty sure we'd have a different relationship without the Comfort Zone with Feliway. I hope in time I might not need to buy those anymore, but it's worth it for now for making her happy!


Best of luck with Houdini!
 
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houdini

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Thanks for all of the replies! We also drove out of town to get him, even though there were plenty of cats closer. We also were going there to adopt a totally different cat, but Houdini needed me. I figure he drew me to him because he must have known that no matter his attitude, I would keep him and work with him to better both of our lives.

8/10 times he does not bite to break skin, but rather warn me which I appreciate greatly. I have stopped petting the moment he warns with his tail, and prefer to not bother him until he approaches me first.

Again, thanks everybody! Very excited to have my first cat journey with him.
 
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