Biting Cat

Not sure if this is an option for you: Friends of mine had a cat just like the way you describe yours. He was awful, never wanted to be held and scratched, bit and climbed up everywhere.
They finally let the cat go outdoors, and he turned into the sweetest cat. No kidding. It was the miracle cure for him. I guess he just was so unhappy inside.

I have one that we got at 4 weeks (no mother cat or siblings and was dropped at the vet's I worked at), had to be bottle fed etc. She is my biter, only me though, but I'm the one that did all the work for the first several weeks. She has never even tried to go after anyone else and she is extremely social and wants to see everyone that comes in the door. She is much better than she used to be. I love her like crazy and she is a wild one to begin that always has a plan for what she wants to do and see how high up she can get on anything. Some cats are just really playful.

The main thing I do is, same as with dogs, a little yelp or quick high meow. She stops immediately. I think part of the problem is growing up without other cats until she was close to 8 weeks (couldn't introduce her to our others until we knew she was Feluk and FIV negative) meant she didn't learn good bite inhibition from other cats. So if you haven't tried, give yelping, crying out a try. It lets him know you he is hurting you. Also do it regardless if it hurts, but his mouth is on you so he learns that all mouth on skin is inappropriate. At the same time stop all of your movement and play and give him a break for about 20-30 seconds and then you can resume activity.

I have many nighttime player cats that went after my legs, lol. I usually just removed them from the bed each time and they would get the message, if I play I can't be on the bed. You can try having a toy, so if he goes after you, throw the toy off the bed if he will chase it and keep him occupied. Have several toys ready each morning.

I'm a foster kitty mama so I've had a lot of behavioral issues I've had to deal with over the years. It's going to be difficult to correct this behavior after 2 yrs.

The root problem is that he thinks that nipping is the only way to get your positive attention to get what he wants. Playing, petting, etc. The way to correct this is to give him playtime, petting, etc before he nips. Fishing pole type of toys are great because it gives them a lot of running around while keeping them at arms length so you don't get nipped. If you are petting and he nips say NO in a very firm voice and remove him your area.

It'll take a while and consistance is important but he should get the idea. You have to make sure that he doesn't get what he wants by nipping so you have to be more proactive in your interactions with him.

I think the root of this issue is something you've already identified- he does it only when he WANTS something. It's his mechanism of getting your attention. Despite him getting negative attention from you after the behavior, he's still getting attention. What you need to try is to ignore the behavior. It will initially make the behavior worse since he'll be testing you, but usually in the end it will eliminate the behavior. When he bites, get up & walk away into a room where you close him out. That way he gets absolutely no attention from you-not even the benefit of being near you. Good luck!!!

My cat just turned 10. She still nips at our feet to get us to go to bed at night (she won't go upstairs without us!) or when she is feeling neglected. I mean nip, she doesn't hurt or do any damage (no bite marks or blood or anything). She only nips me for play - I adopted her at 6 months old and then acquired a husband and then had a baby..she nips my husband to get him to go to bed and doesn't nip my son (now 4) at all.

Good luck! C.