Why would a cat start biting people?

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   innerspinposted 12 years ago

   Why would a cat start biting people?
   
   Our cat has recently started biting us, particularly when we try to put her out into the workshop at night, where she has a bed. It hurts! Why would this behavior start at age around two?

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   JThomp42posted 12 years ago

   It sounds like you're overstimulating her and she's getting annoyed. The only way she can think of to make you back off is to bite. Pay more attention to her body language so you don't push her so far. If it continues, have her in for a checkup--a cat in pain looses patience very quickly. It could be a sign she's not feeling good.

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      innerspinposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      We've not changed how we handle her, maybe she's feeling poorly as you say. Will keep an eye on things, thanks.

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      JThomp42posted 12 years agoin reply to this

      I think that may be the case. You are very welcome.

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3. 75

   chef-de-jourposted 12 years ago

   This is unusual behaviour and should be investigated by a vet. Cats don't bite as a rule, only under great stress, and when stressed they won't mind who they bite! I'd bet your cat is either:
   
   * injured internally - muscle strain, bitemark, abcess, ligament damage, paw damage etc
   * suffering pain from an infected organ like a kidney, bladder.
   * adjusting to a new situation in your home or family - cats can be extremely jealous/territorial/obsessive.
   * under stress from a new cat in the locality
   * pregnant!
   * unhappy with the bed space for some reason.
   
   I wish you luck. Sometimes cats just can't be fathomed!

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      innerspinposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks - Kitty can be fiesty, she lived rough for a while before moving in, but she doesn't usually bite.

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   dailytop10posted 12 years ago

   Cats never bite even when angered. They would prefer scratching. I currently have 7 lovely cats and I've been taking care of them for almost 7 years now and I never observed such kind of behavior from them. Maybe your cat is infected with rabies? Or it might be really depressed.

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   Meisjunkposted 12 years ago

   If a cat has lived rough, as you say yours had before moving in, they can be more prone to biting--especialy if they were under constant stress and learned that behavior as the only way to react.
   
   My cat was my grandfather's cat first. And my grandfather was NOT nice to him. Fredward learned to bite as a way of getting his way. And also just because. He still doesn't like to be petted roughly, but when we first adopted him from my grandfather, he'd bite even if you petted him gently. I don't think he knew anything else. Cats DO bite; under stress and if that's what they've learned. Male cats will bite also because of territorial issues.
   
   Now back to your little girl. If she's only biting when you're putting her back out into the workshop, it could just be because she doesn't want to be there! She may think she's being punished and therefore banished every night. Is it warm enough in there? When was the last time her bed was cleaned? And checking her to see if she is pregnant is a good idea, as chef-de-jour suggested.
   
   Next time you have her inside, cuddle her just to make sure she's still receptive to you, then gently check her legs and paws. Gently run your hand down her stomach, etc. If she's in pain, she'll let you know! If it's not pain, and if you've cleaned her bedding and she still doesn't like the workshop, check with your vet to make sure she's healthy. Then if all that is resolved, consider moving her bed to a different place. She may just want to stay inside with the family.

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      innerspinposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks for a well considered reply. I think she's had a fright, she jumps every time I open the cutlery drawer. She did disappear for several hours recently, looking back the behavior change is since then. If only they could talk!

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   lissa ann11posted 12 years ago

   get her gums checked, because cats adopt such behavior if she has irritation or pain in her gums or teeth. i had a cat who started doing the same, so she had this problem so i got to know this cat behavior.

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