| Cats usually revert to instinctive behaviors when they | | | | behavior modification techniques you use will depend |
| are put in situations that trigger uneasiness. Biting and | | | | on your cat's personality. Some cats are more |
| scratching is often a cat's natural reaction to anxiety. | | | | sensitive than others so keep this in mind when |
| How to stop your cat from biting begins by | | | | exercising any of the following techniques. Next time |
| understanding your cat's tendency toward their | | | | your cat bites your skin: |
| natural behaviors. | | | | |
| Biting and scratching behavior toward humans usually | | | | 1. Firmly yell "NO", "OUCH", or even "HISS" at your |
| starts with kittens as "play" behavior. Kittens learn to | | | | cat. You can be as forward with verbal scolding as |
| hunt and defend themselves through their innate | | | | you feel is necessary. Again, it depends on your cat |
| sense of play. When you use your hands for this | | | | and their level of sensitivity. |
| type of play, kittens learn that your hands are | | | | 2. Slamming your hand down on the floor, or grabbing |
| objects in which they can practice their defensive | | | | a pillow and hitting the floor (not the cat) can also be |
| and hunting skills. | | | | effective. When your cat doesn't respond significantly |
| Although cats develop many behaviors as kittens, | | | | to verbal scolding, hitting the floor can be a good |
| there are times when their actions seem | | | | alternative. This especially works well when combined |
| unexplainable. Cats are complex and sensitive | | | | with verbal scolding. |
| creatures that can develop symptoms of anxiety. | | | | 3. Grab your cat by the scruff of the neck and hold |
| Sometimes this anxiety will cause them to react | | | | them close to the floor. This is a harsher disciplinary |
| defensively in ways that don't seem to make sense. | | | | treatment for cats that are extra stubborn or |
| If your cat bites or scratches your skin, remember | | | | rambunctious. It may sound a little extreme, but keep |
| not to take it personally. There are many things that | | | | in mind it is the method that mother cats use to |
| can cause this behavior. Your cat may have | | | | keep their kittens in line. |
| developed a fear of being pet a certain way as a | | | | Use any or all of the above discipline techniques, |
| kitten. Sometimes your cat is bored and you are the | | | | depending on what the situation calls for. Sometimes |
| only moving object in the house for them to "play" | | | | only one technique is needed while other times you |
| with. Maybe your cats found biting and scratching to | | | | will want to use all three. The way to stop your cat |
| be a good way of getting your attention. Whatever | | | | from biting your bare skin is a step-by-step process |
| the reason, you're likely reading this article because | | | | so remember to be patient with your cat. |
| you want to change your cat's behavior! | | | | Modification of your cat's behavior will take time but |
| Fortunately, there are several methods you can use | | | | change will happen if you remain committed. |
| to change an adult cats problematic behavior. Which | | | | |