biting in a rescue cat
Posted: Sun Jul 13, 2014 10:50 am
Hi
Just wanted some advice on my newly adopted rescue cat. He was a stray and is apparently 2 years old. At the Cats Protection centre he was known for being very nervous, needing a lot of patience. He allowed me to gently pet him but got tense after a bit...fair enough. I wanted to give a cat who would not be immediately chosen the chance of a home so took him on. I have only had him a week so very early days, but he is a bit of an anomaly. after initially hiding from us he now comes up to us every time we come into the room, and constantly winds around us and rubs against hands and legs (so very good progress anyway), but without warning can turn and nip. This is whilst he is still winding around us....not while we are stroking him if you see what I mean...I don't think it's over-stimulus. Most nips do not draw blood and are minor but he has broken the skin on occasion. Today I put his food down and he cared more about my hand leaving the bowl and when I walked away he nipped my leg. I wonder if that's because he didn't want food but more attention and that was his way of telling me? I don't want to get this wrong as I know he has had some bad treatment somewhere along the line and want him to trust us....but don't want to end up scared of giving him TLC either! Unless he becomes the cat from hell, he is NOT going back ...I think he does like us, so much so, we're good enough to eat. lol. Any advice anyone?
Thank you,
Jane.
Just wanted some advice on my newly adopted rescue cat. He was a stray and is apparently 2 years old. At the Cats Protection centre he was known for being very nervous, needing a lot of patience. He allowed me to gently pet him but got tense after a bit...fair enough. I wanted to give a cat who would not be immediately chosen the chance of a home so took him on. I have only had him a week so very early days, but he is a bit of an anomaly. after initially hiding from us he now comes up to us every time we come into the room, and constantly winds around us and rubs against hands and legs (so very good progress anyway), but without warning can turn and nip. This is whilst he is still winding around us....not while we are stroking him if you see what I mean...I don't think it's over-stimulus. Most nips do not draw blood and are minor but he has broken the skin on occasion. Today I put his food down and he cared more about my hand leaving the bowl and when I walked away he nipped my leg. I wonder if that's because he didn't want food but more attention and that was his way of telling me? I don't want to get this wrong as I know he has had some bad treatment somewhere along the line and want him to trust us....but don't want to end up scared of giving him TLC either! Unless he becomes the cat from hell, he is NOT going back ...I think he does like us, so much so, we're good enough to eat. lol. Any advice anyone?
Thank you,
Jane.