Why is my senior cat biting me and drawing blood? What can I do?

Question

My cat is 14 and is always biting me. I know she doesn't do it in a mean way, but she draws blood every time. I have had cellulitis and been hospitalized twice recently. I don't want to give her away because I really don't think anyone else would be as tolerant as I have been. My husband also gets bit occasionally and he is wanting to have her put down, which I can't bear to think of. She can be affectionate and sleeps right next to me every night. I am desperate for some advice. Pet's info: Cat | Mixed Breed | Female | spayed | 13 years and 11 months old | 8 lbs

Sara Farmer, DVM · Accepted Answer

If this is a recent change in behavior I'd recommend having your veterinarian perform a thorough physical examination as a first step. Some common diseases in older cats like hyperthyroidism can make them much grumpier than usual. Pain from arthritis can also make cats react in an aggressive way. If your veterinarian feels there is no medical reason for the behavior change I would then recommend talking to a feline behavior specialist to see if there are changes you can make at home to address this behavior. Cat bites are no joke - veterinarians have lost fingers due to infected cat bites and cellulitis! But it sounds like there could be some other things to look into before deciding on euthanasia.

Why is my senior cat biting me and drawing blood? What can I do?

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