Hello there (introductions and a question about biting)

Here in Jerusalem, we have lots of ferals, and lots of human friendly "strays" who have never had homes, but due to whatever factors that went into their early kitten lives, have grown up people friendly. Last year I found a 10 week old kitten in my stairwell who decided we should be mates.

Sagan and I love each other, he is a friendly cat, very intelligent, and likes strangers and cuddles, playing fetch, and doing some basic tricks (like "stand", "high five" and "lie down"). But he also has a biting problem. I try to play with him often (work and school make it hard to be as regular as we'd like) to get energy out, and I *TRY* to ignore his bad behavior and only reward good behavior (one reason why we started to learn tricks). It seems to have gotten better in the last few months, especially on days when I can let him out during the day--days when I am home for a significant amount of time and can call him back in or let him back when he wants. And I have been under the impression that he will eventually grow out of it and that he is still young, but I am still worried. One day I would like to have a family, and a cat that randomly bites a baby is not a cat that I can have. I am obviously not talking about an instance where a baby or toddler grabs the cat in a way that is threatening or painful to a cat, but rather random incidences. The thought of getting rid of Sagan at any point in my life is a depressing thought, and obviously one that is not in the near horizon and I hope it never will be, but can anyone reassure me that he will most likely outgrow his biting behavior? If it is already a lessening behavior, is this a sign that we are on the right path?

When you are playing with him are you using your hands/arm as a toy?  This encourages him to bite and swat at you because he sees your appendages as toys not a part of your body.  Use a laser pointer or wand toy that you can hold at arms length.  If he starts to bite you when you are playing, tell him No and then stop playing with him. When he plays nicely, reward him with a special yummy treat.  It may take awhile for him to understand since he may have gotten used to playing with your hands/arms.  Just be patient and give him time.

So he is over a year old now?  Have you had him neutered?  Behavior problems can arise due to hormones coursing through a cats body.  This can only be controlled by neutering. 

I have never played with my hand. Only feather wands, strings, and his favorite types of balls/mice that he plays fetch with (he isn't crazy about the red dot and gets bored with most other toys). He has been neutered since 6 months old. Bad behavior is ignored to the best of ability, but sometimes I am forced to physically just remove him from a room. I realize that such lifting/touching him technically is a positive reinforcement, but when he gets like that, the bites can be too often and painful to just ignore. Like I said, we started fetch (around 4 months of age) and trick training specifically to be able to reward him for good behavior, and I'll also pet him and give him treats sometimes at random when he is simply calm. Like I said, it doesn't seem to change much.

Have you tried saying No! or ouch! loudly when he bites you?  He may not realize he is hurting you.  The mother cats and siblings usually teach cat manners but he left their side too young.

As tempting as it is in the moment, I would not physically move him from the room.  Instead, like @Handsome Kitty  and @ShadowsRescue  said, go with a loud "No", "Ouch", or even a hissing noise and just get up and walk away.  The noise breaks his attention and walking away helps to indicate that his behavior is a deal breaker.  

We recently adopted a third cat who is a one year old female.  She quickly started off with biting like that (nothing awful, but still unacceptable), but after a few loud "No"/hisses and abruptly ending play or cuddle time by walking away, she quickly eased away from that behavior.

I agree with the "No", hisses, "yelp-pain" responses. Freezing and/or withdrawing from him as well. Consistency with your responses is the key, and that is the hard part!

Tried, tried, and tried. 

It's very easy to say don't remove him from the room when he is not literally grabbing your arm or foot and digging his teeth into you, or your girlfriend. Even if it's random, and not following play, or if you aren't trying to write papers for school, or you are trying to sleep because you just worked 3 12 hour days in a row and you know you are waking up 5 hours later at 4:30 in the morning.

Is he neutered?  Since he may still be young and his hormones may be coursing through his body.  Not neutering a cat can contribute to behavioral problems.

I must admit that it's a little frustrating repeating myself. Yes, he has been neutered since he was 6 months old.

JeruKatz said:

...

Sagan and I love each other, he is a friendly cat, very intelligent, and likes strangers and cuddles, playing fetch, and doing some basic tricks (like "stand", "high five" and "lie down"). But he also has a biting problem. I try to play with him often (work and school make it hard to be as regular as we'd like) to get energy out, and I *TRY* to ignore his bad behavior and only reward good behavior (one reason why we started to learn tricks). It seems to have gotten better in the last few months, especially on days when I can let him out during the day--days when I am home for a significant amount of time and can call him back in or let him back when he wants. And I have been under the impression that he will eventually grow out of it and that he is still young, but I am still worried. One day I would like to have a family, and a cat that randomly bites a baby is not a cat that I can have. I am obviously not talking about an instance where a baby or toddler grabs the cat in a way that is threatening or painful to a cat, but rather random incidences. The thought of getting rid of Sagan at any point in my life is a depressing thought, and obviously one that is not in the near horizon and I hope it never will be, but can anyone reassure me that he will most likely outgrow his biting behavior? If it is already a lessening behavior, is this a sign that we are on the right path?

Click to expand...

JeruKatz said:

Tried, tried, and tried.

Click to expand...

JeruKatz said:

It's very easy to say don't remove him from the room when he is not literally grabbing your arm or foot and digging his teeth into you, or your girlfriend. Even if it's random, and not following play, or if you aren't trying to write papers for school, or you are trying to sleep because you just worked 3 12 hour days in a row and you know you are waking up 5 hours later at 4:30 in the morning.

Click to expand...

JeruKatz said:

I must admit that it's a little frustrating repeating myself. Yes, he has been neutered since he was 6 months old.

Click to expand...

-------

Depending on Sagan's environment and how he has decided to "communicate", I think it would be hard for anyone to reassure you 100% that he will grow out of it. You did say the bites lessen on days when you are home a lot and can let him inside or outside. He is a communicative, intelligent, cuddling cat, albeit some of his interactions are not "pleasant". You mentioned it's gotten better in recent months, which is a promising trend. Anyway, I guess if it were me, I'd continue just as you are, along with the "good behavior training" & the fun "tricks"-training. But I'd also consider getting Sagan another kitten or young cat to bond and play with, if this is possible with your life style. Sagan having a buddy to play with (when he feels like wrestling and biting) could deflect some of biting-of-humans which might be attributed to what some call, "single kitten syndrome". If, after trying all of the above, a year or two in the future still shows that he bites people and if you still want a family without fearing having a biting cat... then it is time for that depressing choice.

@JeruKatz, we are just trying to help you, not make your situation more frustrating. Please bear with us through some of these standard questions and suggestions.

While physically removing a cat in that state is not recommended, if you are left with no choice, then get him off of you and then toss a blanket over him. This will allow you to move him without getting so clawed up,