My cat is aggressive. How do I stop him from biting and scratching?

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! This is likely just a way of getting your attention. However, this is certainly dangerous and could result in an injury to you. I would recommend you consider keeping him separate in a different room or just in a crate while you sleep to avoid this. Hopefully, this behavior will improve on its own. Good luck!

This is a more aggressive breed of cat. When they get excited and playful that's when they bite and scratch. I recommend playing with a feather on a string or a laser pointer so you can play with him without touching him. Also teaching him to retrieve will tire him out and be a fun game. When petting him only pet him on the top of the head or under the chin. Male cats when pet on the back to tail will often flip over to bite and scratch. Also I recommend leaving the room if he becomes aggressive and hopefully he'll learn that he needs to behave to get more attention. He may never be a cuddly cat but you can still have fun with him when you learn not to set off his triggers to aggressive behavior. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you get answers to your veterinary questions.

It's hard to know why pets develop certain behaviors. It's possible he thinks this is some sort of game. Try to identify any type of a pattern so you can predict what is going to do. You may certainly try distracting him as soon as you notice the rough behavior. Try to direct him to play in a different fashion. It's possible he is bored and so is inventing his own games. Try meeting his instinctual needs and providing some new stimulation. Here is a great article about cat's instinctual needs: https://www.petcoach.co/article/why-every-cat-needs-a-place-to-climb/ Use a Feliway diffuser, set aside 30 minutes a day for vigorous play (really get him moving) and/or switch the food to Royal Canin Calm. Try feeding him out of a food puzzle. Hide food for him to find. Provide a stand or resting place by a window so he can look outside. You may also try clicker training him for positive behavior. Here is a link about training cats: https://www.petcoach.co/article/can-i-train-my-cat/ Most cats response best to combination therapy. The veterinarian can also prescribe medications which can help with bad behaviors. He should also be neutered because the testosterone can make pets more aggressive. Feeding meat will not cause aggression. I hope this helps and please feel free to post any additional questions.

HI, thanks for using PetCoach! Adorable pictures! Cats are funny things and sometimes they react this way because they are anticipating a negative interaction with you. Cats hold grunges. And sometimes we do not even know we are doing anything wrong. I would keep him out of your room. If that is the territory he is claiming control over, prevent access. I would put a feliway diffuser in your room and right outside your room. I would limit the tight snuggling as most cats do not like that despite appearing to. I would only pet him when he comes to you. Only pet around his face and neck and as soon as he starts to flick his tail or turn his ears, stop. Give him treats during these brief petting sessions. After a few weeks to a month of non aggressive snuggling and petting if there are no aggressive tendencies open your room back up to him. If there is no improvement then I would discuss prozac with your Vet. I hope this helps! https://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=8906

This sounds like normal kitten behavior actually but I understand your concerns with the children. If the kitten doesn't have other kittens to play with , this type of behavior is often exhibited. I recommend you put some Feliway diffusers in your house and do some environmental enrichment for him. Usually these two things help. ( https://www.feliway.com/us/Products/FELIWAY-CLASSIC-Diffuser ) ( thedrakecenter.com/materials/environmental-enrichment-indoor-cats ) Hope this helps. If you have more questions you can always opt for a private consultation where we can chat back and forth. That way you can ask as many questions as you'd like. Best wishes.

I am so sorry that you are experiencing these problems with biting with Count Blackula I am sure it is very upsetting for you. First of all rest assured that this is a very normal cat behaviour. Cats learn through play biting and it is part of our role as pet parents to help them learn limits. I would not attempt negative reinforcement such as striking Count Blackula or speaking harshly as this will potentially create more serious behaviour issues such as anxiety and fear-aggression. Try some calm corrections and positive reinforcement. If Count Blackula bites you, simply say in a calm voice "no" and stop interacting with him for a few moments. This over time will teach him that biting is not a desired form of play. Also try reinforcing him as he starts to play in a good way by not biting, and giver him a small training treat. If Count Blackula does manage to bite hard enough to break the skin be careful of a possible infection. Monitor your wound for heat. Swelling, or discharge. Make an appointment with your doctor if this occurs. If you are struggling with the biting after a couple of weeks of the above suggested training methods, consider a few sessions with a behaviourist. Other games which may be fun with Coubt Blackula are hide and go seek either with you and another person, or you hide his toys and she has to find them. Or classic fetch is surprisingly fun for cats too. I hope this was helpful!

You can consider re-homing him if that is what you would like to do. Your other option is to take him to the vet and speak to them about getting him some behavioral modification medication that he can take daily which will hopefully calm him. You should also try some Feliway diffusers and some environmental enrichment for him. ( https://www.feliway.com/us/Products/FELIWAY-CLASSIC-Diffuser ) ( thedrakecenter.com/materials/environmental-enrichment-indoor-cats ) ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AejmrLa_Cs4 )