By Tess Thompson
Although cats are basically very good
predators, cat biting is not as common as dog biting
http://www.nativeremedies.com/petalive/aggression-formula-aggressive-behavior-dogs-cats.html?kbid=5918.
Cats do not normally bite humans. If your cat is using your
hands as prime targets for biting, the fault probably lies in
your handling of the cat.
When a cat is perceived as being ‘mean’ he
is actually just being a cat and behaving like one. A scared cat
is likely to opt for the escape option and take flight. Such a
cat who is scared of something and fleeing is best left alone.
Pain, over stimulation and anxiety are the prime causes of
redirected aggression in cats and if you try and intervene, the
cat may eventually lash out and bite you. Cats are complex
creatures but they are basically playful creatures. However,
they are almost always focused on a single object at one time
based on their predatory attributes. They do not distinguish
easily between the new from the old and sometimes the same hand
that feeds may, at times, be perceived as a threat. That makes
treating feline aggression a much more complex matter than
treating aggressive dog behavior
http://www.nativeremedies.com/petalive/aggression-formula-aggressive-behavior-dogs-cats.html?kbid=5918.
Dog aggression
http://www.nativeremedies.com/petalive/aggression-formula-aggressive-behavior-dogs-cats.html?kbid=5918
is more manageable. Treating your cat to stop biting
requires a much deeper understanding of feline behavior.
If your cat jumps at you and then suddenly
careens off he is not trying to attack you. He is probably
indulging in play activity. The action may hurt you but the
behavior is not aggression and should not be punished. On the
other hand, you should try and redirect his energy by extending
your play sessions with the cat. Make sure that you do not
proffer your hands as a toy. Choose an appropriate toy and let
the cat expend his energy and calm down. Do not try petting
unless the cat is ready for it.
Cats usually enjoy petting but somehow or
the other each cat has an individual tolerance level. It is most
likely that once the cat has had enough, he will try to lash out
at your hand and bite. Even if the biting is not with full
force, it can still hurt. Such situations are brought about due
to the cat’s inability to recognize the touch of a friend. A cat
will usually give out specific signal through body gestures that
it is time to stop. Understanding the tolerance level of your
cat and deciphering the signals that he sends out like narrowing
eyes or pulled up ears is basically your responsibility. Observe
the behavior carefully and stop before it is too late.
Cats tend to redirect aggression out of
fear and anxiety. Seeing another cat outside or a potential prey
or an unfamiliar shrieking noise can also give rise to
aggressive behavior in cats. The cat either perceives it as a
threat or is afraid or is aroused to run after a prey. Your role
in the whole thing is to identify such triggers and to
desensitize your cat to these stimuli. This is the only way that
you can stop him from attacking and biting at you.
If you actually face an attack, the best
course is to freeze. Avoid struggling and fighting back because
it may lead to a full blooded bite. Do not give him reason to
attack you and eliminate triggers if you are able to identify
them. Keenly observe his tolerance levels. Otherwise, a cat that
is bent upon aggression is best left alone.
References:
http://hubpages.com/hub/How-to-deal-with-cats-aggressive-biting-and-scratching
http://www.boston.com/yourlife/home/articles/2005/11/03/how_to_deal_with_your_cute_crazy_attack_cat/
Information:
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