So I have had Aleya now for about 4 and a half months now. She has been great, and she is a big part in our family. Although lately we have been have some major issues with biting. At first it was just a little bite here and there, we would proceed with a squirt from the water bottle, and a firm no. Tried ignoring her, and immediately stop play or any attention. That seemed to be working fine, until a few weeks ago.

She has started coming to bed meowing and purring and wanting some love. We pet her and then after a few strokes and ear rubs she would turn and wrap her paws and bite. Now at first it wasn't hard then kept getting harder. So continued with firm no, and putting her down and ignoring her. I also find that, when she bites in bed she gets this look about her, mostly her face, her pupils become enlarged and its extremely hard to sway her attention. She just slowly follows your hands and stalks them and you just know shes going to bite. It is extremely hard to distract her. Usually I'll try and push her away form under the blanket that's the best way so far to get her to stop. Or if there is a toy nearby I'll try and get to it before she gets me and sometimes that will make her change her mind.

But the last 3 days we've had two incidents where out of nowhere she would just jump onto my arm wrap her paws real good and bites me hard. Drew blood both times. Now the first I was sitting on my computer minding my own business and out of nowhere poof she was on me. I did not have the water bottle, so I was a little surprised no doubt so my no was a little firmer and louder than usual that seemed to startle her, and put her in a time out, in her bedroom. She seemed fine after I let her out we played and cuddled the rest of the day.

Now today me and my boyfriend were just sitting on the couch watching tv, and she just jumped at my arm and did the same, same situation and put her in a time out.

Now, I have no idea what could be causing this issue, and am in very big need of some help or advice on this. I don't want to get frustrated with her, but its becoming a big issue, and harder every time. We don't hit her when she does things like this its always a no and brought to time out, sometimes I'll grab her by the scruff to get her off, but other than that that's as physical as it gets.

What are your suggestions, or any relating stories could possibly help. I have no idea what to do about this any more :(

Thanks you so much in advance.

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Stephanie, Aleya & Finnegan

Most of the cats that I've had have gone through phases like that when they are young, and they've always "grown out of it". I think the important thing to convey is that it is not tolerated and that it hurts and upsets you, and then to establish more mutually enjoyable play activities. Young cats do seem to have a need to do that. You might try getting one of the "kicker sausages", like the ones at happy house cats (get the biggest one you can). It's the same behavior though: wrap paws, kick, and bite (with a slightly crazed look in their eyes), except that you'd be giving her an acceptable outlet for that. Even at age 3, all I have to do is drag the "sausage" along the ground, and it's 100% that the nearest bengal will hug it, kick it, and bite it. And roll around with it. Other than that I don't have any more specific suggestions, except to let you know that she will grow out of it, and you just need to get through the kitten/teenage times.

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The little monsters 3

Thanks!

I'll have to look into that. I do have a few toys that she does that with, we have lamb that she drags around the hose and beats up, and a dog. But maybe I can give that a try. Is there a website I might be able to order this from? I live in Canada and have never seen these products before.

Thanks again!

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Stephanie, Aleya & Finnegan

Sure.

http://www.shop.happyhousecats.co.uk/

Check out their "flying frenzy" products too. They are excellent!

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The little monsters 3

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Is she spayed?

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Stephanie, Aleya & Finnegan

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~ Kyenta

Our boy cat has a tendency to give a hard bite, too, but we worked out it was only when he had not had enough really full-on playtime. They need good time every day to work out the strong instinct to hunt, pounce, kick and bite - and on a toy not a human! If he sleeps too long during the day and early evening, I get him up and outside with Da Bird toy. He also loves the kicker toy (though his sister largely ignores it, she prefers leaping games, go figure). He is most inclined to go crazy for us, or bite his sister sp hard she shrieks, last thing before bedtime, with those crazed eyes, so we give them both a really good work out in the hour or even more before bedtime. I am lucky I work from home and can get him active when I think he needs to (generally about 5pm after 5-6 hours sleep). Ocassionally I am away until 7pm and those days he is still asleap when I get in and needs extra workout through the evening to ensure there's no manic, crazy, biting behaviour before he goes to sleep again.

I also found changing the toys works really well. They seem to get more excited when they haven't seen a toy for a while. That way they really really work for the toy!

I just commented on another thread about this same thing and it may have been your other thread. Kittens are high energy and need a lot of play time. If you're not using toys, then they want arms, legs, whatever they can find. Bengals, especially, are very active and demand attention. Yours is still a kitten and will probably outgrow this, but I'd have a wrestling toy handy that you can give. Every cat I've ever owned has bitten and scratched me -- except for my bengal. Never once has he sunk his teeth or claws in me. I don't know how I got so lucky! But ....know that bengals love to play and in order to wear them out, you have to play them hard!