Cat Scratches and Bites- Help!

Question
Hi There,

I have a male cat who will be a year old next month. He was neutered at six months. My problem is with his behaviour, and I've been having the issue since I've had him, but nothing seems to work and it's getting worse.

He's a very friendly cat (loves being cuddled- the most cuddly cat I've ever seen), but always wants to play. The trouble is that it hurts! I can't walk up or down the stairs in my house without him coming running to bite my feet and ankles, and he'll do this at random times, too- come over and throw himself on the floor at my feet and start biting and scratching. I can't let him in my bedroom at night, because he jumps on me and scratches my face in the nighttime, and gets under the covers and bites my feet, too. My arms, hands, feet and ankles are constantly covered in scratches (and scars) because of my cat.

I've tried everything I can think of. I've used a spray bottle to squirt him with water, and he thinks it's a game, and will try to get me to chase him with it. I've tried yelping when he does it, to let him know it hurts (doesn't work). I've tried swatting him with a rolled-up newspaper, but he'll run away and come back 30 seconds later to bite and scratch again. I've tried putting him in a "time-out" in his kennel or a small room as soon as he does it, but it doesn't work.

I should mention that he was the only one in his litter- he had no brothers or sisters born the same time, so I'm guessing he didn't learn first-hand as a baby that scratching/biting hurts!

Declawing him isn't something I want to do, but I have a baby due in August, and I'm afraid of what my cat will do to him. Do you have any suggestions?

Thanks so much!

Tara

Answer
Tara,

Congratulations on the baby!

Declawing can cause more problems, both emotionally and physically, than it will solve. I would NOT do that to the cat. I would keep his claws trimmed though for a start. Here is link on how to do it:
(copy and paste, or type, the whole link into your address bar)
http://www.cat-world.com.au/catclaws.htm

He is playing with you like he would another cat. With cats that behave like yours, sometimes it is best to get him a kitty friend about his same age and temperament that he play kitty games with that humans can't do, and that will burn up his energy. Cats need another cat for company and companionship. It's not good to have a cat too dependant on a human for their amusement. Plus he will have less of your attention when the baby comes so having a playmate and companion for him will help.

If you are swatting him with a rolled up newspaper and he is not afraid of it (but not you!) then you are not swatting hard enough. Plus you need to be saying "No, don't bite!" loudly at the same time. A newspaper won't hurt him, but the noise should scare him. And he should learn to associate the newspaper, along with your verbal displeasure, with biting. But you need to channel that energy and play to another outlet.

You are correct that he may not have had the training as a baby that kittens usually learn from each other about how hard to bite and play. Do not ever play rough with him with your hands. Only use hands to pet. Get a pet laser light to help burn off energy. Or pull a string around. Or put some ping pong balls in the bathtub (with the drain plugged or they will get stuck).

For future reference on cats and babies here are some good articles.
(copy and paste, or type, the whole links into your address bar)

http://www.petplace.com/cats/helping-your-cat-and-new-baby-get-along/page1.aspx

http://cats.about.com/cs/catmanagement101/a/newbabyandcat.htm

http://westwoodanimalhospital.com/BhvArticles/Infants,%20Children,%20And%20Cats....

I hope this helps.

Tabbi