Just look at this cute little muffin, he’s very cute but hides a dark secret.  This little one is a Biter.  Yup we adopted a little biter.  It’s not all the time, just when you stroke him just that little bit longer than he would like,  or he wants your attention.

Just this morning he was nipping at me to wake up and feed him while Gatsby was walking around the bedroom screaming he wanted to be fed also.  I wouldn’t mind but this all started at 3:30am.  With the comment “Guys, go back to sleep” from me it was now playtime, obviously mummy was awake so they were going to make sure I wasn’t going to drift off into another deep sleep.

If this is a thing of Earl’s i’ll guess we will have to put up with it or find ways we can reduce his need to feel that he has to act this way.  This type of behaviour is not always directed as aggression, its simply that Earl may not understand that cat play is different to hooman play.  Cat play as I have witnessed is much more rough and tumble, so could it be that Earl thinks I’m just an over grown cat, lol?

If you have a cat we all know what cat aggression looks like or if they get scared and accidentally scratch or bite you.  Just like my last vet visit!  This isn’t the type of biting that Earl is doing just, he just nips and he is also known to swipe at you as you walk past a cat tree.  Don’t get me wrong Earl is very lovable and as i’ve mentioned this does appear just to be playful.

So if you’re having the same issues I am, here are some pointers:

• Even though it may seem fun, avoid the temptation to use your fingers or hands as a toy.
• As I’ve stated above don’t further encourage the behaviour.
• If you are petting your cat and they start to nip at you, consider this their communication for you to stop.
• Play with your cat twice for at least ten minutes a day
• Change up their toys so they find play interesting
• If they are doing this just out of attention, I personally look at Earl and say “That hurts, stop it”  Honestly, I think he can tell the change in your tone of voice and he does stop.  I even rub my hand as if its in pain.

Its appears there is no true way of stopping the behaviour but we as hoomans can direct their attention or know when to stop doing what is causing them to bite.

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