- Joined
- Feb 13, 2016
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I've had this foster in my home for about 6 weeks. She's the only cat in the house. She is about 3 years old and is a "hard luck" case - rescued last fall after a hurricane, was likely abandoned. She also had been declawed at some point, but her feet healed improperly and she needed surgery to correct the problem. She is completely recovered from that.
She spent time in other foster situations before coming to me - everyone said she was well behaved and sweet, though she did not get along well with other cats. She's been great with me except for one thing: she bites. I cannot figure out what is triggering this, and I'm not seeing a lot of results from what I've tried to help the situation (not to mention I'm getting a lot of very conflicting advice from the shelter and also from what I'm reading online).
The best I can figure is that she's doing it out of boredom?? I am trying to play with her as much as I can, but I work a full-time job, too. I've tried grabbing a toy to re-direct her attention when she starts - that will get her to stop, but I know she'll eventually bite again. I've also tried saying "No!" very firmly (suggested by the people at the shelter - doesn't feel right somehow, but they said to do it). She appears to hear me, she'll stop for a second - and then start again and keep biting until I get away from her, or a couple times, I've pushed her off the couch. I have also tried using calming spray. (To be clear, I have NOT hit her at all.) Nothing seems to make any lasting difference.
This has been going on for several weeks, and it seems to be worse the last couple weeks. I would love to keep this cat, but I don't feel great about having a chronic biter. This is the only problem we're having.
Any suggestions?
She spent time in other foster situations before coming to me - everyone said she was well behaved and sweet, though she did not get along well with other cats. She's been great with me except for one thing: she bites. I cannot figure out what is triggering this, and I'm not seeing a lot of results from what I've tried to help the situation (not to mention I'm getting a lot of very conflicting advice from the shelter and also from what I'm reading online).
The best I can figure is that she's doing it out of boredom?? I am trying to play with her as much as I can, but I work a full-time job, too. I've tried grabbing a toy to re-direct her attention when she starts - that will get her to stop, but I know she'll eventually bite again. I've also tried saying "No!" very firmly (suggested by the people at the shelter - doesn't feel right somehow, but they said to do it). She appears to hear me, she'll stop for a second - and then start again and keep biting until I get away from her, or a couple times, I've pushed her off the couch. I have also tried using calming spray. (To be clear, I have NOT hit her at all.) Nothing seems to make any lasting difference.
This has been going on for several weeks, and it seems to be worse the last couple weeks. I would love to keep this cat, but I don't feel great about having a chronic biter. This is the only problem we're having.
Any suggestions?