Help! My adopted cat is biting and scratching. What can I do?

Question

We adopted a 2 and half year old female cat from a shelter about 3 weeks ago. Everything was going well (she eats well, uses her litter box with no problems and we clean after each use, and is playful) until the past few days when she started biting and scratching my partner and me. It seems like she "dislikes" us the more she is around us. We engage her and talk to her as much as possible, but we don't want get scratched every time we pet her. She doesn't hide or run from us. Suggestions? Pet's info: Cat | Mixed Breed | Female | spayed | 2 years and 4 months old | 7 lbs

Dr. Macartney, BVet Med, MRCVS · Accepted Answer

I am so sorry that you are experiencing these problems with biting with Yaris. I am sure it is very upsetting for you. First of all rest assured that this is a very normal young cat behaviour. Pets learn through play biting and it is part of our role as pet parents to help them learn limits. The behaviours will calm down with age. I would not attempt negative reinforcement such as striking Yaris or speaking harshly as this will potentially create more serious behaviour issues such as anxiety and fear-aggression. Try some calm corrections and positive reinforcement. If Yaris bites you, simply say in a calm voice "no" and stop interacting with her for a few moments. This over time will teach her that biting is not a desired form of play. Also try reinforcing her as she starts to play in a good way by not biting, and giver her a small training treat. If Yaris does manage to bite hard enough to break the skin be careful of a possible infection. Monitor your wound for heat. Swelling, or discharge. Make an appointment with your doctor if this occurs. If you are struggling with the biting after a couple of weeks of the above suggested training methods, consider potentially a few sessions with a behaviourist. You can also try increasing her exercise and mental stimulation. These help with behaviour issues. Redirection to more appropriate activities or games will also help Other games which may be fun with Yaris are hide and go seek either with you and another person, or you hide her toys and she has to find them. Or classic fetch. Here are some resources to help, though they are aimed at dogs, they are still very useful for cats. Try to be patient and rest assured that Yaris needs time to adjust and feel safe and secure in your home. https://www.petcoach.co/article/10-ways-to-stimulate-your-dog-s-brain/ https://www.petcoach.co/article/top-5-toys-gadgets-for-your-dog/ https://www.petcoach.co/article/benefits-of-maintaining-an-active-lifestyle-for-your-pet/ https://www.petcoach.co/article/6-common-myths-about-dog-aggression/ I hope this was helpful!

Help! My adopted cat is biting and scratching. What can I do?

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