The feline tribe has walked alongside humans for centuries. But, alas, these sweet creatures are not always easygoing. Teeth, along with claws, can ruin an idyllic friendship. Therefore, the question of how to stop a cat from biting without resorting to harsh measures against your beloved pet is often relevant.
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The cat bites - what is the reason?
A cat's "bite" isn't always funny.
No living creature will perform any action without a clear reason. The situation is different for male and female cats. It all depends on the pet's health, age, and temperament, as well as specific circumstances (external irritants).
The animal lacks your attention.
Sometimes a cat's biting is just a reason to remind you of itself.
You may consider your cat a pet, even a foster child. However, some researchers believe the situation is similar on their end:
- To attract your attention, the cat displays playfulness - here you not only have to release your claws, but also involuntarily use your sharp teeth;
- By causing you a little discomfort, cats expect a response from you—you'll have to give up interesting reading material or a captivating movie for a while and focus on interacting with your paw-tailed friend.
Your compassion will result in long-awaited peace, and your pet will release all its excess energy. Essentially, you've both mentored each other, and done so through play.
Response to the owner's threats
You can't talk to a cat using threats.
Harsh treatment of animals isn't always countered by affection. Sometimes a mischievous dog will commit such outrageous mischief that the owner's nerves fray. Cursing and shouting at the pet are immediately heard. The loud noise undoubtedly frightens the animal and makes it feel a sense of security threat.
However, speaking to cats in raised tones is never recommended under any circumstances. The worst they can do in response is repeat what they did, or even outdo themselves.Try to lower your voice as quickly as possible, calmly pet the cat, and sincerely reassure it (you can't fool animals—they sense a person's inner state on an energetic level).
The struggle for leadership
Cats gain authority in the house by biting.
So who's really boss? Sorting out relationships at this level is a strategic task. And everyone does it as best they can, as prompted by their inner voice, ancient instincts, and analysis of the current situation.
In terms of cat logic, it's all simple:
- I bite - it means I am not a trembling creature and I have the right;
- I'll bite and see what happens next;
- Until I show my teeth, I will not be a leader.
And the like. Most often, confrontation occurs between representatives of the same sex - a cat and a man, a cat and a womanAlthough, of course, there are exceptions.
Your actions:
- under no circumstances should you become angry, irritated, or, especially, punish the animal using force;
- Use cunning - turn everything into a game, distracting your pet from its own goal of measuring statuses with you;
- At the end of the game the cat will have the impression that he has won.
Leave your toothy friend in his pleasant delusion, since it makes him feel better! And quietly continue to be the boss. Modestly and like a leader.
The dangers of cat bites
Sometimes a cat bite can lead to unfortunate consequences.
Underestimating cat bites can put your health at serious risk.Cats' teeth are quite sharp at any age. Moreover, the older the animal, the more bacteria it has in its mouth due to cavities and possible mucosal infections.
However, both young and adult animals naturally harbor specialized bacteria in their oral cavity. Nature intended that, theoretically, a small predator could use its personal "bacterial weapon" to defend itself from attacks by larger predators.
In other words, when bitten, infections penetrate the "enemy's" skin through them. How they progress, whether they'll develop, or whether your immune system won't allow it—time will tell. Is it worth tempting fate?
Even if your pet is just playing, these games can have serious consequences. Here are just a few:
- sepsis (general blood poisoning);
- inflammation of the lymph nodes;
- meningitis;
- local suppuration of the wound at the bite sites;
- diseases of tendons, joints and bones (respectively, tendovaginitis, arthritis and osteomyelitis);
- damage to the mucous membrane of the eye;
- fever.
The exception is when it comes to a small kitten. It doesn't yet have the strength to bite through human skin. But who knows at what point a kitten transforms into a strong young cat?
If you notice any redness or swelling, take your pet to the vet immediately. They'll treat the wound properly, and a tetanus shot wouldn't hurt either. By the way, is your pet vaccinated against rabies? This is not an idle question. Only qualified medical care is appropriate. No amateur treatment or negligence!
Fighting your pet's bad habit
Breaking any habit is akin to training. This means you need to do two things:
- follow the set goal;
- be patient in achieving it.
Fortunately, there are several ways to stop your feline pets from biting.
Stop your arms and legs from fighting
If you need to teach your cat a lesson, use a foreign object.
In the eyes of your four-legged companion, you're a kind of animal. Accordingly, your arms and legs are perceived as paws. If you start waving them or flailing them vigorously, your gestures will be perceived as a signal for confrontation.
And how can even the smallest kitten reinforce it? Only with claws and, of course, sharp teeth. We conclude: neither hands nor feet should be used as a means of fighting cats..
Want to give a lecturing flick on the nose or a light slap on the bottom? Use a foreign object. For example, a small, rolled-up newspaper. A soulless object won't spark interest in the animal. It will also dissuade it from its bad intentions and make it clear that you weren't personally intending to fight (after all, your "paws" were left unused).
Hitting and shouting are not allowed.
Raise your voice and get a bite.
The sacred rule of good people is not to fight or shout. This norm applies not only in the purely human world, but also in human-animal relationships. Physical violence automatically awakens the instinct to defend, which then turns into attack.
Shouting has a similar effect. Raised tones provoke belligerent tension, which turns into aggression against the one shouting. And from there, it's not far to multiple bites, with all the consequences.
Peace everywhere and always
Under no circumstances try to lash out at the cat.
Wherever you are, if there is a cat nearby, remain calm.Don't let any of your four-legged friend's antics upset you. Treat them with indulgence, like a small child. Mischief is as natural to them as asking stupid questions or being cunning.
Is your cat stuck under the couch? Climbing a cabinet? Eating fish in the aquarium? Stealing a cutlet from your plate? All of this is fixable. And there's no point in getting worked up over trivial matters. Train your cat with a calm tone. Training will be much more successful if you can skillfully distract your pet from mischief and redirect its energy toward play exercises, rewarding it with a treat for its efforts.
Don't panic when attacked
If the teeth have already crept up on your fingers, try to get out of the situation without any sudden movements.
You can't completely prevent an accident. If one does occur, try to control yourself. Don't jerk your hands away from the cat's grasp too quickly. Keep your movements gentle, flowing, and unhurried. This way, you'll be playing along with your pet.
A biting cat will quickly lose interest in you, as it won't offer any resistance. Meanwhile, speak to your pet in a low voice; your soft tone will completely distract the predator from you as potential prey, and the cat will calm down.
Use distracting toys
A bright toy can distract the aggressor's attention.
Today, pet stores offer a wide range of useful items, including toys and devices that help distract and stimulate cats, male cats, and small kittens. The pet's age is crucial. While a small cat reacts to literally anything that moves, older cats are more selective.
Experiment:
- balls, animal figures, throwing sticks, bubble rings;
- throw, wave, hit the sofa upholstery.
Observe their reactions. Most often, their attention can be redirected without any problems. Until an animal gets old, it has quick reactions and a nimble mind. Aging cats lose these advantages. However, they don't tend to bite, either.
Complex cases
Living with a cat requires wisdom and endurance from its owner.
It's not for nothing that they say about cats that "walk by themselves." Unlike dogs, for example, they are truly self-sufficient. And incredibly willful. Once you cross the line in severity, you'll lose their trust forever.
Experts in cat psychology claim:
- it is useless to suppress the feline spirit with totalitarian methods;
- show wisdom instead of dictatorship, and cunning instead of stubbornness;
- To negotiate with a cat, try to think like them.
And to do this, you need to truly love your pets.
Therefore, biting cats shouldn't be a cause for anger. You need to understand their motivations and the reasons for this behavior. Indeed, some breeds are inherently more aggressive than others. Such pets require serious training under the guidance of experienced professionals.
Consult before taking action. Mistakes are almost impossible to correct when it comes to a cat's personality. The goal is not to ignore or suppress, but to understand each other and agree to coexist in a common space.
