Maya is 3 months old now, and I’ve had her for half of that time. She’s amazingly intelligent, with the most outgoing, fun-loving, adorable personality. She’s going to be a really beautiful adult cat, if someone doesn’t kill her first.
She goes through periods when her usual demure, sweet self becomes a terrorist attack machine, with her prime weapon being her razor-sharp teeth. She digs them into anything and everything, especially living objects like hands, fingers, ankles and toes.
But her favorite target is Little Bear, my 16.5-year-old Russian Blue, who used to be very dominant and territorial, but is now reduced to being chronically passive and withdrawn. She attacks him with no warning, jumping on him and biting. He complains vocally, even to the point of hissing, but none of this slows her down. I guess he’s simply too old to properly defend himself.
I’m sure she thinks she’s merely playing with him, but he’s obviously suffering. I’ve bought her a ton of toys, I’ve tried to play with her to tire her out, and I’ve tried using a squirt gun, which she actually enjoys. The only thing that works is when I can physically separate them, e.g. locking her in the bathroom. Then she’s all sweetness and nice, while planning her next attack.
But I can’t be here all the time, and I can’t go chasing after her every time I hear him complaining. I need to teach her that biting is not acceptable behavior, and do it without making her angry or afraid of me.
I’ve had only one other kitten in the past and, although he was at times a pain in the ass, it was nothing like this, and he didn’t do a lot of biting.
I’m assuming she’ll outgrow this behavior, but how long will it take, and how do I deal with it in the mean time? I really do love her and want to keep her, and I’m not considering returning her to the APL where I got her (though people have suggested it).
For the record, both cats are neutered, with intact (but trimmed) claws.
