Okay, so here’s a question I’ve been meaning to ask.
I have a three year old cat that bites. Sort of. It’s really more of a gnawing. It only happens under specific conditions. Namely, she must be in my lap, or sleeping next to me. If she is very, very relaxed, she reaches out and gnaws on my forearm, or hand. She doesn’t break the skin. But it pinches and hurts. I’ve tried discouraging the habit - I’ve stopped petting her, I’ve tapped her on the nose, I’ve withdrawn and stopped paying attention to her. But she keeps doing it. And a purring cat is damned hard to punish.
In all other conditions, she has excellent claw and tooth control. She’s never bitten or clawed me except in this one situation. And it only happens if she’s well and truly relaxed - eyes rolling back and snuggled into my lap.
I don’t get it. Why does she do this? She already has my attention, so that can’t be it. She doesn’t seem to want anything from me. Is this some kind of left-over kitten instinct? She stayed with her Mom until she was between 12-16 weeks old and has always seemed well socialized.
Oh, and I’ve been lurking long enough to understand the obligatory cat photos link. Bonus points to whomever can identify the breed.
Teak. She’s the grey. The red one is Oz.
