How To Wean A Cat Or Cat From Scratching And Biting, What To Do If A Kitten Scratches And Bites On The Arms And Legs All The Time Or When Stroking It

2024 Author: Bailey Albertson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 12:53

How to stop a cat from scratching and biting

Cat bites and scratches are not only unpleasant, but also dangerous: the claws and teeth of animals are so structured that when attacked, they leave pockets inside wounds, which later become infected and rot. In addition, the owners of the aggressors do not manage to relax even at home, because a little hunter can jump out of the corner at any moment. The most cunning cats prefer to dive from above: from cat houses, wardrobes, bookshelves, etc. It is important to stop this behavior in time so that the situation does not worsen, and if there is already a bad habit, then you need to actively fight it.

Content

• 1 Why do pets bite and scratch

  • 1.1 Parenting errors
  • 1.2 Character traits
  • 1.3 Game behavior
  • 1.4 Fright
  • 1.5 Feeling unwell
  • 1.6 Violation of personal space
  • 1.7 Harsh smells and sounds
  • 1.8 Pregnancy and birth of kittens
  • 1.9 Age
  • 1.10 Boredom
  • 1.11 Hunting
  • 1.12 Negative experiences
  • 1.13 Stress
  • 1.14 Incorrect adaptation

• 2 How to re-educate a pet

  • 2.1 Inspection
  • 2.2 Correction of the daily routine
  • 2.3 Compliance with the rules of communication with the animal
  • 2.4 Reallocation of roles in the flock
  • 2.5 Redirecting aggression
  • 2.6 Elimination of irritants
• 3 What to do if you can't re-educate an aggressive cat
• 4 Personal experiences of pet owners
• 5 The opinion of professionals

Why do pets bite and scratch?

There are many reasons that can trigger aggression. It should be borne in mind that cats have a different mindset than humans. It is more associative. Pets perceive not only events in general, but also non-obvious details, so any minor circumstances remembered in the past can cause bad behavior.

Parenting errors

The most common cause of bites and scratches is improper upbringing. In most cases, this happens according to one scenario: once they played with a small kitten with their hands and feet. At the time, it seemed funny, because the baby could not bite through the skin too much. Then the kitten grew up and became an adult cat with sharp claws and teeth. The habit of biting the owners remained.

A cat should not perceive a hand as a toy, because a person feeds and strokes a pet with it.

It must be understood that over time, the pet itself does not become well-bred. His behavior depends on what the owner invests in him. In addition, cats are conservative and do not like to give in: if they are used to something, they continue to do it, even if the owner interferes and punishes. If you do not want an adult pet to walk around the dinner table, steal food or bite, never allow him to do this at an early age. One time is enough for the habit to take root forever.

Another parenting problem is the misdirection of roles. The cat sees the family as its flock. Depending on the nature of the animal and the behavior of the owner, the pet may perceive itself as a leader or subordinate. Ideally, pets should occupy the last rung in the hierarchical ladder: first comes the leader, then other adult family members and children. Only then - cats and dogs.

Sleeping on the hills (including in the owner's bed) is one of the signs of dominance, however, in the absence of other manifestations, it may indicate that the pet simply misses the person and lies where his scent is preserved

The leader protects his flock in various ways. The ability to punish and educate your subordinates is one of them. If your cat considers himself a leader, she will censure any actions you do that she doesn't like. For example, my cat once climbed into a furniture box and hissed when we tried to take it away. It seemed to him that we were encroaching on his property. Pets bite and scratch when they try to challenge their leadership rights: they take things away, punish them, etc.

There is nothing good in such a distribution of roles neither for the owner of the animal, nor for other family members, nor for the cat itself. The latter is forced to defend its territory. Pets are not familiar with the concept of ownership, so they think that at any time, intruders may come to the house or apartment. Because of this, the cat does not sleep well. She only slumbers so that at any moment there is an opportunity to quickly wake up and fight back. This increases stress and irritation.

Character traits

Some cats are less prone to affection and don't like being touched. In the absence of attention from others, they usually behave more calmly, since they have no reason to attack: they just want to rest. You can only come to terms with this. Animals are as individual as humans, so if a cat doesn't like being picked up, it's best not to.

Play behavior

Play behavior is more typical of small kittens, but with improper upbringing, it persists in adult cats. In this case, the pet bites a person not because of aggression or in order to scare away. Little kittens learn to calculate strength and find out their position among brothers and sisters through rough play.

When playing aggression, the cat behaves in a non-standard way for a pet: it sneaks, bends down to the floor, and at the end makes a dash and attacks

Fright

Fear can be associated with negative memories and upcoming events. Often it is not possible to immediately detect the cause of aggressive behavior, since in this case it is associated with associations.

Frightened cats most often run, hide and fight back only if cornered

For example, a cat once visited a veterinarian for a vaccination. There she was given an injection, that is, she experienced pain. In addition, the very change in the environment made the pet nervous. From this moment, the animal can react aggressively to people in white coats or just light-colored clothing. Even the smell of perfume, which the owner used that day, or just a person who looks like a veterinarian, can cause fear.

Bad feeling

People are often irritable when they experience pain or discomfort. In this regard, cats are like us: they, too, can become hot-tempered if they feel bad. Some pets, on the contrary, show excessive obsession, ask to pet and attract attention in every possible way, others hide and restore strength, trying to cope with the malaise on their own. Someone can not stand the pain and breaks down on others.

Violation of personal space

If the cat is predominantly aggressive when trying to play or pet it, the problem is almost certainly a violation of privacy. Animals sometimes need rest, calmness and safety. They do not like to be woken up and obsessively stroked, held in place and forced to do something. Of course, there are cats who are happy to be cuddled and played at any time, but this is only an individual feature.

If the cat used to love when it was stroked, and then abruptly began to refuse to caress, this may be due to illness and discomfort when touched

Your pet may experience stress when violating personal space. This causes him to be aggressive the rest of the time. If at first the pet bites only when touched, then later it can attack from shelters, guard its own territory, etc.

The most striking manifestation of violation of personal space is aggression in the process of affection. In such cases, the cat is not immediately nervous. She begins to bite a little later, when she is tired of what is happening. For example, my friend's cat, when I come to visit them, always comes up and asks to pet her. If the pet is ignored, she stands on her hind legs and rubs against her pants, tries to pry her hand with her head, etc. Despite her own obsession and seeming good nature, she herself does not tolerate being stroked for more than a minute. She either runs away or bites her hand not to the point of blood, as if warning. Her behavior is quite understandable: even a person, if you stroke him on the back for a long time, will first begin to feel irritation, and then pain. A cat is a living creature, so you should respect its interests and not treat it like a plush toy.

Harsh smells and sounds

Cats have more sensitive hearing and sense of smell. For example, ultrasound from fireworks can cause them to panic. The same applies to strong odors: they are unpleasant for animals and provoke irritation. Some of the more off-putting "scents" are citrus fruits, vinegar, essential oils, perfume, etc.

It is not difficult to understand that the cat does not like the smell: when approaching its source, the animal grimaces, squints its eyes and may tuck its ears

Sounds and smells can cause any negative memories, bad mood, deterioration of health and even physical pain. This is true for people too: for example, we get nervous if neighbors spend a long time repairing. Animals in this regard are no worse. They, too, can break off on others if they are stressed by uncomfortable conditions.

Pregnancy and the birth of kittens

Hormonal changes and instincts can cause a cat to have a dramatic change in behavior. This is due to the need to protect your nest and kittens.

The maternal instinct is one of the strongest, so a cat, while protecting offspring, can seriously injure even a beloved owner.

Some pets categorically do not allow anyone to approach their babies, others are more selective and show aggression only towards those they do not trust. In this case, it is advisable not to intervene in the absence of strict necessity, so as not to make the cat nervous.

Age

Kittens are more playful than adult cats. They can learn to hunt and target, for example, the owner's legs. If the owner of the pet also reciprocates, imitates the behavior of the victim and is touched, the situation is aggravated: the kitten remembers the reaction, believes that he was encouraged, and later copies his actions.

Boredom

Cats are less active than dogs, but they also need a timely release of energy. If the pet does not have the opportunity to run, jump and play, it will begin to satisfy its needs on its own. Most likely, the owner will not like the "cat" methods. Animals, to get rid of excess energy and calm down, can tear furniture, tear wallpaper, gnaw on wires, bite, scratch, etc.

Hunting

The hunting instinct is manifested not only in small kittens, but also in already raised adult cats, but in a different way. The animal does not rush to its feet. In this case, aggression is associated with the activation of the hunting instinct and not bringing the matter to the end.

The appearance of a bird outside the window can lead to tragedy: with vertical ventilation, animals often get stuck in a gap, which leads to a slow slide down, pinching of internal organs and death

This often happens when the pet likes to sit on the windowsill and watch what is happening on the street. If the cat sees a bird outside the window, the hunting instinct will work. The animal may understand that it will not be able to reach the victim, or even try to overcome the glass and gratings, but in any case, nervous overexcitation will arise. This will make the cat feel irritable and aggressive. The pet can run around the house and attack the owners or react negatively to attempts to pet.

One of the most dangerous toys for cats is the laser. I myself once did not see anything bad in him, because it is convenient: you sit on the couch, drive the beam across the floor, and the cat has fun and runs. It seems like everyone is having fun. Then I began to notice that after such games my pet bites for several hours when I try to pet him, and in addition, it is naughty. It seemed to me that it was not good for him, and we returned to the usual fishing rods and teasers. Later, I had the opportunity to talk about this with the trainer, and he confirmed my doubts. The laser prevents the cat from realizing its hunting instincts. The animal runs after the beam, but cannot catch it. From a pet's point of view, he fails, so he gets annoyed. You can play with the laser only if at the end the cat receives a food reward - a crouton, a small piece of unsalted cheese,feed pellets or any other favorite food. Then the hunt is considered to be successfully completed. However, it is better to prefer more tangible toys.

Negative experiences

This factor can be compared to fear, but there is a difference. The cat does not have to be fearful, it can be nervous or angry. The principle is the same: some event caused a negative reaction in the animal. The formation of unobvious associations took place. As a result, the cat is selectively aggressive. For example, she only dislikes children if a child once pulled her by the tail. It is much more difficult in this regard with selected adult animals, since the owner does not know in advance what can cause aggression in the cat.

Stress

In most cases, aggressive behavior and irritability indicate that the cat is uncomfortable. The owner's task is to find out the cause and eliminate it. Stress can be caused not only by pain, boredom, fear, etc., but also by the lack of personal territory, personal belongings, any changes in the house and other factors. Cats are so conservative that even the rearrangement of furniture or the appearance of new objects makes them feel and mood worse.

Licking too often is a sign of chronic stress

Often, stress occurs for reasons beyond the control of the owner. For example, a neighbor has a baby and he often cries at night. Or a new pet has appeared behind the wall. In such cases, the owner can only create the most comfortable conditions for the animal: provide him with a personal corner in which no one will interfere with rest. If the cause of irritability is, for example, the appearance of a new cat in the house, the situation becomes simpler: the owner can influence the prevailing circumstances and slowly accustom the pets to each other, as well as contribute to the correct distribution of roles in the pack with the help of the personal support of the leader.

Incorrect adaptation

The reason borders on fear and, in fact, is its offshoot, however, in this case, aggression is caused not by hygiene procedures, visits to the veterinarian, loud noises and other insignificant temporary factors, but by lack of upbringing and negative experiences. It is an explosive mixture that can make a cat unpredictable. Most often this is observed in street animals. They don't know how to live with a family. If the cat was once injured, the situation is aggravated, because the pet saw only harm from people.

Hissing more often indicates fear, because it allows you to scare off an opponent without getting into a fight; if the cat really wants to attack, it will attack without threats

In this case, the animal perceives a person as a threat and cannot form a line of behavior. This leads to fright and defensive aggression: the pet hides in a corner, does not go out and in every possible way defends its territory. In such cases, owners are advised not to force events and wait for the animal to take an interest on its own and leave. Intervention is possible if the pet is seriously injured or sick. If there are no conditions that threaten life and health, it remains only to be patient and gradually earn trust.

How to reeducate a pet

There are many methods of re-education, but the choice depends on the specific situation. In some cases, the methods that worked with one cat will only worsen the condition of the second. It is important to first figure out the cause and eliminate it, then deal with the elimination of bad habits. When determining the source of the problem, it is necessary to pay attention to the type of aggression. Defensive behavior is more typical of frightened pets, active attacks are typical for kittens and leader cats. Territorial aggression is found in pregnant women and giving birth to pets.

Survey

Since almost any disease can cause pain, it is advisable to contact your veterinarian and check your pet's health. If there are no specific complaints, a specialist will conduct an examination and take a blood sample for analysis. It is advisable to donate urine and feces: the results may indirectly indicate the presence of inflammation in the genitourinary system or gastrointestinal tract.

A change in gait and refusal of the tray are one of the most common common symptoms of diseases, however, only a specialist can make a final diagnosis after examination.

Sometimes the cause of the ailment is revealed by visual examination. These can be itchy spots with allergies, loose teeth, parasites, etc. If necessary, the veterinarian will prescribe additional tests.

Correction of the daily routine

Cats are by nature nocturnal animals. Most often, a person manages to adjust the pet's day regimen, but in some cases it remains natural. Then the animal sleeps during the day, and at night it gets bored, because there is no one to play with it. This leads to the accumulation of unrealized energy, nervous overexcitation and stress.

If a cat considers itself a leader, has a habit of biting and is active at night, it will certainly wake the owner out of boredom, and not in the most delicate way

To avoid problems with the regime, it is recommended to pay as much attention as possible to your pet during the day. Toys can help redirect aggression and use up excess energy. If the owner does not have the opportunity to play with the cat during the day, you can purchase interactive catapults, food cones, labyrinths, etc. At night you cannot get up at the request of the pet, even if it deliberately wakes up and makes noise. It is necessary to show consistency and perseverance: you should stay in bed, and then the cat will understand that such behavior is useless. Even if you have to get up, do not pay any attention to the pet and do not pet it.

Compliance with the rules of communication with an animal

Some owners accidentally provoke cats without realizing it. It should be remembered that animals are different from humans: they have their own rules of "etiquette" and methods of communication. It is important to learn the sign language of both cats in general and your own pet, and learn to understand it. For example, ears that are pulled back and twitching of the tail can indicate that the pet is nervous and may attack soon. In this case, it is better to leave him alone.

In most cases, cats prefer to be stroked on the head and near the tailbone, as well as behind the ears; pets allow only those they trust to touch the belly, otherwise they can attack, since this is the most vulnerable place

You can not be overly persistent. Good-natured attempts to get your pet to eat or play predictably will cause irritation and aggression. Most cats in such cases prefer to escape, but some can fiercely defend their home and try to drive away the owners.

Loud noises, rapid movements and strong odors should be avoided, especially in a new environment or with an unfamiliar animal. You can't sneak up on a pet and touch it without declaring your presence. More temperamental animals react aggressively even to the posture of a person: if the owner bends over the cat, this can be perceived as an application for dominance and a show of strength.

Redistribution of roles in the flock

The method is suitable for those whose cat became aggressive in adolescence and shows signs of dominance: it protects the territory, "punishes" the owners at its own discretion, marks, etc. not understand why all of a sudden his position changed.

The task of the leader is to protect the pack and distribute benefits. You should look like a patron in the cat's eyes. This means trusting, encouraging good behavior and condemning wrongdoing.

You can not punish an animal if it lies on its back: this is a sign of submission

Trust can be earned through predictable and adequate (from a cat's point of view) reactions to events, authority, and mutual respect. For example, you take your cat to the vet. If you worry, the animal will feel it. This will lead to nervousness and feelings of insecurity. In addition, for a cat, this is inappropriate behavior: if a threat has arisen, you need to run from it, and not go to it. The correct strategy is to remain calm and try to gently support the pet with affection and warm words. If the cat responds with aggression, you should not touch it, but you do not need to panic. The animal will feel more confident. Since the owner is calm, then there is no threat, the pet is protected. This will alleviate stress factors and strengthen faith in the owner later, when the cat realizes that nothing terrible has been done to her in the clinic.

Encouraging good behavior is offering benefits in return for reinforcing desirable habits. This helps to create positive associations and demonstrate to the pet that it is the owner who distributes the resources of the pack. When my second cat began to react aggressively to attempts to pet her with age, I began to encourage her in those cases when she sits calmly. I tried to catch those convenient moments more often when my darling approached herself. I gave treats before the cat began to get annoyed. This helped her understand that affection is pleasant. The system of associations worked: after stroking, it was followed by getting a treat, so the cat began to approach herself more often and ceased to be irritated. After training, I started giving treats less frequently and gradually removed them completely.

Food is the main resource, so it is advisable not to use automatic feeders and not leave food in the public domain, but defiantly pour it into a bowl every time

Condemnation of actions is punishment. However, in no case should it consist of beatings. This behavior is not natural for cats, therefore it leads to psychological disorders, loss of trust and aggravation of aggression due to the need to defend themselves. In a natural environment, the leader can grab a subordinate by the withers, press him to the ground and hold him until the latter stops pulling away. This is a confirmation of your strength and status. This can be done in cases where the cat is very naughty and shows a tendency to dominate. It is important to keep the animal just until it calms down, otherwise the escaped pet will think that it has defeated you.

The mother cat carries small kittens, holding them by the withers; at an older age, the reflex persists: if you grab an animal by a fold of skin, it involuntarily relaxes

In most cases, lighter punishments are sufficient. For example, a kitten bit you while playing. The worst punishment for him is the cessation of entertainment. Thus, you will not only make it clear to the pet that he will have to follow some rules, but also confirm the status of the leader by distributing the benefits. Ignore the offending kitten for 5-10 minutes. It'll be enough.

If several cats live in the house and show aggression not only towards family members, but also towards each other, it may be necessary to help them understand the hierarchy. Do not exacerbate the situation: you need to put several houses, trays and bowls to minimize conflicts. You can involve cats in joint games. This will bring them closer. If a fight breaks out, you can only intervene if one animal has seriously injured another. In most cases, cats do not hurt each other when dealing with a relationship, so there is no cause for concern. Ideally, animals should establish an internal hierarchy after the first encounter, but sometimes it takes longer. If the relationship has worsened, pets can be seated so that they have additional time to get used to each other.

Small children should not be left alone with pets, as the latter may suddenly show aggression

The situation is approximately the same when a newborn child appears in the family. The cat does not yet know which step in the hierarchy it will occupy, so it can defend itself and attack the baby in advance. Parents need to carry out educational work with the child and the pet separately. Adult children need to be taught the rules of behavior with animals, small children should not be allowed to grab the tail, pull by the ears, etc. You cannot scold a child in front of a cat, because the pet will decide that it can also punish a younger family member.

Redirecting aggression

You can redirect aggression if the cat has a lot of energy, has a powerful hunting instinct, or is simply bored. The animal should be offered toys and try to provoke them so that the pet begins to bite them.

You can buy catnip separately and sew a toy with filler yourself

It is recommended to prefer products with catnip: they are more attractive to pets. The desired behavior should be reinforced with treats.

Elimination of irritants

It is advisable to save the pet from additional temptations and seal the windows with foil. It will also prevent accidents. You should give up harsh perfume, do not have other animals if the cat does not get along with anyone, and do not bring guests into the house if the pet reacts negatively to them. Of course, this is not always possible to do, but it is important to show respect for the individual characteristics of the pet's psyche.

What to do if you can't re-educate an aggressive cat

If no measures help, you should create the most comfortable environment for the pet. Perhaps the animal is disturbed by some stress factors that cannot be calculated. For example, overly intrusive attention from a child or lack of a sense of security. A house or a play cat complex will help to cope with this. In the shelter, the cat should not be touched by anyone: this is its personal territory.

The game complex will replace not only a house, but also a sports equipment, toys and a scratching post

If your pet continues to behave aggressively, you can make a noise trap from cans and, for example, nuts. It should be used every time the animal tries to attack. Do not throw the trap at a cat or use it on older cats, small kittens, or pets with heart disease.

Fisher discs are a ready-made alternative to the noise trap

A loud sound by itself will cause a negative association and wean you from attacks, although this will not get rid of the causes of aggression. In some cases, the projectile can aggravate the situation, so use it with caution.

Personal experience of pet owners

The opinion of professionals

Feline aggression is a serious problem that can not only cause inconvenience, but also threaten life and health. To prevent attacks, it is important to socialize and adapt the pet in time, to educate him and to form the hierarchical ladder correctly. If a cat suddenly becomes irritable, you need to pay attention to its state of health: nervousness can signal discomfort.