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Question
I HAVE A MAINE COON THAT IS ABOUT 2 YEARS OLD AND IS NEUTERED. WE ADOPTED HIM ABOUT 5 MONTHS AGO AND HE BITES NON-STOP. HE GRABS ON TO YOUR LEGS WHEN YOU WALK, ATTACKS THE COVERS AND ATTACKS ME IF I AM ON THE COUCH. MY BOYFRIEND IS BECOMING AGGRAVATED, BUT WE STILL LOVE HIM ANYWAY JUST NOT HIS BITING ANY SUGGESTIONS?
Leigh,
This cat was never socialized to humans. Because cats & kittens have such tough skin, they tend to play very roughly with each other exhibiting lots of biting/scratching behaviors. We teach our kittens that this type of behavior is unacceptible to us softer skinned humans.
What we do with kittesn is to hold them, talk to them softly, and stroke them. They love this "game". If the kitten begins the biting/scratching behavior, we scruff the kitten, put it down and walk away. It does not take young kittens long to figure it out. Unfortunately, your cat is 2 years old, and is going to be harder to break of this behavior. He thinks he is being affectionate and playing, but does not realize he is hurting you!
Cats do not respond well to neagtive reinforcement like NO!, spray bottles, and time outs. They do much better with positive reinforcement like food treats as a reward for appropriate behavior. Secondly, you must be consistent and persistent in trying to break him of these habits. Also, no roughhousing, only gentle play.
It may take a while, but it is possible to break an older cat of these habits.
Good luck and best regards... Norm.
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Answers by Expert:
Norman Auspitz
Expertise
I can answer most non-veterinary questions about cats. My particular expertise is pedigree cats, breeding and showing. However, I am versed in feline behavior, cat breeds and their characteristics, general feline husbandry, and the like.
Experience
I judged for the Canadian Cat Association from 1975 until 1982. I am currently an approved allbreed judge for the Cat Fanciers'' Association (the world''s largets cat registry), and have been judging for them since 1991. I have been breeding pedigreed cats since 1971 and have been exhibiting pedigreed cats in shows since 1970. I obtained my first pedigreed cat in 1970 and have never looked back. In 1971, I obtained my first Abyssinian which has become my primary breed. In addition, I have bred Manx and Persians. Currently, besides the Abyssinians, I am also breeding Maine Coons.
Organizations
Cat Fanciers'' Association, inc. (CFA) and the Manx, Maine Coon, and Abyssinian breed councils. I am currently Abyssinian breed council secretary.
Publications
Cat Fancy Magazine, The Abyssinian Chapter in The Cat Fanciers'' Association Complete Cat Book, and Articles for various editions of The Cat Fanciers'' Association Yearbook
Education/Credentials
I received a B.S. from Drexel University in 1968, a M.Math from University of Waterloo, in 1970, a Ph.D. from University of Waterloo in 1975, and a MBA from McMaster University in 1980. I received my approved allbreed judging status in the Cat Fanciers'' Association in 1999.
Awards and Honors
We have produced a number of Cat Fanciers'' Association (CFA) National winning Abyssinian and Maine Coons. We have produced a number of Abyssinian and Maine Coon Distinguished Merit females (an award for a top producing cat), including the first Distinguished Merit Abyssinian in the red (sorrel) color. I am the CFA Abyssinian breed council secretary and belong and/or hold office in a number of cat clubs. I am also a member of the CFA Judges Association.
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