Help! Suddenly wants to bite mid purr

[melody anderson]

Hello everyone, 

I am a first time cat owner and rescued my little Lady (her name is Lady). She was previously owned by a family that had her fully declawed! (My heart breaks that someone would do this to such a sweet life).  In doing so of course it created some emotional issues and the only form of defense is to bite. We have learned slowly how she does and does not want to be petted. I watch her closely and can tell the signs of when she isn't happy and could possibly bite and we have got along just fine. 

I've learned this will be a life with her and letting her be the boss. My concern and advise needed is due to the fact she now mid purring from good loves she likes she suddenly will get that look and try to bite. (Not successfully since I've learned when she will). It is never over a specific way I'm petting her or a place that could be bothering her either. 

I'm not sure how to handle it and will work through this with her I am just not sure what I'm doing wrong. Is she not getting enough play time? I play as much as she wants to with the fishing pole toy she likes. 

I'd hate to lose the lovey little girl that brought home with me and was so thankful to be here. (Not giving up on her just hope this doesn't get worse. 

I am wondering if it could have anything to do with the feral cats she can see out of the back window???. (They are not mine I live in a condo on the bottom floor)

Any advise is greatly appreciated!!! 

 

[Columbine]

Hi, and welcome to TCS

It sounds like you're doing really well with Lady, and have a good grasp of her body language and triggers :bigthumb: She's lucky to have found you :nod:

Basically, some cats get easily overstimulated with petting. My girl is like this. She'll be snuggling and purring away, but if I actively pet her too much (as in, say, stroking from head to bum) she'll hit out or bite - gently, but still a warning. I just keep a close eye on her body language, especially her tail. Once it starts twitching, I stop petting. Depending on how relaxed/settled she is at this point, I'll either remove my hand altogether and just sit with her, or I'll leave my hand in place but keep still (she loves to go to sleep cuddling my hand, and will accept this kind of touch when sleepy even if she can't handle any more petting).

The ferals outside may or may not be a factor. They could definitely be increasing her stress levels though, so it may be worth trying a Feliway diffuser to see if it helps her relax a little.

These article may help you work out exactly what's going on with her:-[article="32390"][/article][article="22328"][/article][article="29673"][/article][article="33557"][/article]