"love Bite" Problem S.o.s.

[Ellenfdb]

I have had Tig for a year. He had always been in to love bites but he doesn't understand when it's too hard. I'm fine if he does it with me... I just distract him. However, he walked up to my roommate, rubbed his head against him once, and then bit harder then his normal. Is he being aggressive? Or is he just trying to get attention (he is a super needy, love me every minute of the day cat)? What can I do to get Tig to bite less often?

 

[rubysmama]

Hello and welcome to TCS. It could be a "love bite", though since it was a harder bite than usual, it might have been a touch of aggression.

Here are some TCS articles with more info:

Cat Aggression Toward People
How To Stop Playtime Aggression In Cats
How To Deal With Cat "love Bites"?

 

[Mamanyt1953]

And those are EXCELLENT articles! Hard to add to that. I will say, a short, sharp "OW" or (even better) a HISS will usually stop this quickly. A hiss is Universal Cattish, and there was never a feline born who doesn't know that it means "STOP THAT RIGHT NOW!"

 

[catlover73]

Hi welcome to TCS. I am also going to post an article on re-directed aggression in general. I think it is possible that the aggressive love bites Tig gives you got re-directed to your room mate.

Re-directed Aggression In Cats

 

[Ellenfdb]

Thank you all for your help! I'll let you know how it goes : )