I have a new Singapura kitten, albeit he is 8 months old, and sometimes when he is being cuddled he has a bite. I've had him for 3 weeks now and the first couple were strong and I had a huge bruise for a week. I withdrew the cuddles - told him NO in no uncertain terms - and he seemed to have more or less stopped biting. any time he had a nip I stopped cuddling and left him. Over the weekend he has had another couple of tries (when he's in bed with me) on my hand or ankle and each time I've said No and taken him out of the bedroom and locked him in kitchen & living room area.

Is this something cats do and how do I stop it? I'm becoming very wary when petting him - always watching where the mouth is!!!! I've only owned dogs before and this wee man is so different.

Thanks for any advice.

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it sounds like you are doing the exact right thing

my Misha sometimes becomes too loving when being fussed and nips/bites at me but I have seen him do the same in a cuddle/groom session with his brother so I think it is affectionate rather than mean.... after all those sharp teeth could draw blood if he wanted to

just keep being firm and the nips/bites may get to the point where he is gentle enough that you don't mind... he has to learn you have no fur!

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This is the right thing to do in my opinion. I am new to cats too (got my kitty last August) but from what I understand cats hate being ignored so by removing yourself or removing the cat from the situation you are ignoring and that is good that would be the first advice that I would give somebody with this problem too.

I think that they get over excited and over affectionate and it is in no ways a lash out at you. Waffles used to do it SO much when she was a kitten and it took a lot to stop her.. sometimes I was removing her from the room again and again and again and it was a little frustrating but it does work in the end so keep it up.

This morning she opened her mouth to bite me but stopped mid way so I think I must be getting there after seven months

Boxer does the exact same thing, was meaning to post a thread up about it, he'll just be all curled up being nice and puring then he just bites for no reason! its never drawn blood but it can hurt! he also has a habit of biting my head if im led in bed, that really hurts lol

il try telling him no now cos at the moment i was just stopping stroking him, il see if that works!

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Boxer cat..

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If cats could talk they would lie to you
http://www.lambchopsiamese.webs.com

oooooooooo he is stunning! I LOVE LOVE LOVE!!! Singapuras!

He sounds normally! He only wants to play and try everything lol!

What I do is 'cry/yelp' and stop the play, my kitten caught on within about 5 times of me doing that that mummys hand no biting...daddys hand for biting!!

they do try and do it gently as if you imagine them biting another kitten in play they try and do a little pressure, but cats have skin & fur so it feels worse on us!

Even if I put my hand then and his playing he will stop right away
Just takes a bit of time thats all.

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Many thanks for all your replies. Pleased I'm doing the right thing. Just need to put up with the scratches on my hands (don't know what my manicurist will think - LOL )

I'll certainly be using the site again. May even be brave enought to chat sometime!!

thanks one and all

oh dont!! I have them all over my legs & arms Someone had the cheek to ask me if I cut myself!! I was like 'no but the cats do!!!!!!'

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Keep doing what you are doing

my male cat is still learning that clawing me is naughty....but he doesnt mean too, he washes me but has to use his claws too.
i simply pick up his front paws and say "Nooo Diesel" he often starts again straight away, but i just keep stopping him and if he doesnt learn after the 2nd no, he gets put on the floor.

Hi,

I have two cats, one male and one female. The female (lola) doesn't ever bite but the male (mani) quite often does when he is being petted.
Sometimes the strokes seem to be too much almost, expecially over his rump area! He seems to get overexcited and his eyes glass over, a little like he is hypnotised...
He doesn't hurt though, I thought it was like a warning to stop stroking him cos he is tired of it...
Whereas Lola would be there all day if I let her.