Question:
Our daughter and her family have a 1-year-old female Russian Blue cat. They have a problem with her biting. She wants to bite their ankles when they walk past and, at other times, their hands. Is this typical for this cat breed, or are there other reasons for her behavior?
M.E.F., Hurst, TX Jul 10, 2011
Answer:
Please pass on this information to your daughter and family before they decide to get rid of their cat, if they haven't done so already. Leaving this behavior unaddressed could mean painful injuries and infections for family members, especially children.
The first step is to understand that this is not aggression but a young cat's desire to play. This is typical behavior for a young cat, regardless of breed, and reflects the animal's attempt to adapt to living exclusively with humans in an otherwise cat-deprived environment. The family must learn how to play with the cat, especially early in the evening (cat "crazy time"). Transfer the focus of the cat's game of ambush, bite and scratch from humans to interactive toys like a play wand (toy on the end of a fishing pole) that you animate. Check your pet store for a variety of toys to try.
The best solution would be to adopt a healthy, easygoing cat of about the same age so the two can entertain each other. Cats do best when they have the company of their own kind; humans cannot fully satisfy all their needs.
My book "Supercat: How To Raise the Perfect Feline Companion" (Howell Books) will be very helpful in educating your daughter's family about the ways and whys of cats.
Subscribe