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Biting HOMEWARD TRAILS RESOURCE LIBRARY: CATS!

Becky, all images on the site should have a caption AND an alt Tag!
Cats often bite and scratch due to a lack of play-time (known as “Predatory Aggression”), because they have been taught to bite by humans (by being encouraged to chase wiggling fingers, or being wrestled with) ” or irritation from too much handling (“overstimulation”). This might seem like harmless fun when a kitten, but once grown up, it can hurt and cause damage to humans other animals in your home.
Step 1
First, as with litter box issues, a cat that suddenly starts biting might be doing so for a medical problem that is causing pain. If biting seems to come on suddenly, be sure to have your vet give your cat an exam to rule out pain.
Step 2
Second, give the cat appropriate outlets for playful behavior – plenty of interactive playtime and solo play toys. Never encourage your cat to play with human body parts. When petting your cat, watch for signs of irritation such as a tail swish, head turn, dilated pupils or cranky meow and give breaks from handling. Some cats have very clear thresholds for being pet or held and it is your job to note it and respect it.
Step 3
Third, this is one case where correction is appropriate. However, you want to use the least amount of stimulus needed to interrupt the bad behavior. This means starting very minimally and increasing corrective measures slowly. The corrective stimulus should not be so much as to scare the cat; then you have defeated your purpose and contributed to the beginning of a new problem – fear of people. Use only humane correction: saying NO or OUCH (loudly if necessary), clapping your hands, or blowing air on the cat’s face as it bites. Back away from the cat slowly and quietly. Then withdraw attention, giving the kitty a “time-out” for 10-15 seconds.
Finally…
Finally, encourage “good” playful behavior by rotating toys and making playtime a regular, routine event that you and your cat can look forward to. There are many wonderful products that help with biting issues. Look below for our suggestions! Purchasing a product through the below links also helps generate revenue for the kitties of Homeward Trails!

More News from the Trail!

  • Empty the Shelters National Adoption Event

    We’re excited to announce that we’re participating in  Bissell Pet Foundation’s Spring National Empty the Shelter reduced-fee adoption event  now through May 15. Come meet cats and dogs with reduced and waived adoption fees both Saturday and Sundays during the event between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Our nation’s animal shelters are facing a capacity crisis and need your help now to get pets from shelter kennels into the couches of loving homes.

  • Helping Happy Hounds – Fee Waived Hound Adoptions

    As you may or may not know, Virginia animal shelters are filled with Hounds. These amazing dogs are most often discarded by callous hunters, found starving wandering the countryside. Many never make it as hunters and are then tied up to chains or left along the side of the road like old furniture. A good number of them do not make it out of shelters alive.But these dogs – like all dogs – are amazing and worthy of families. We just cannot get them families fast enough to stop them from dying in our shelters when there is no more space.And so we are trying something new here. ALL HOUND DOGS ADOPTED FROM HOMEWARD TRAILS WILL BE FREE. Yes, we are WAIVING ADOPTION FEES for Hounds for the foreseeable future.We hope that will entice well-matched applicants to consider a Hound now. Use the money you save on training, treats, toys.We think all dogs are worthy. But the reality is that some take extra incentives. Some have more barriers to getting adopted. And the result is well, more end up dying. And no – this does NOT mean we are just giving dogs away. All applicants will still go through our application/screening process to ensure good homes. This is just us trying to save more dogs by eliminating one more barrier to adoption. And hey, Hound lovers can use all the extra money they can get to buy treats, right?Help us help these Hounds. Our program Helping Happy Hounds is live NOW. Let’s save some lives!

  • Our Current Supply Needs – Can You Help?

    Each year Homeward Trail spends thousands and thousands of dollars on supplies to care for our animals and support the general operations of our organization. We always strive to keep our costs as low as possible so that we can spend every extra dollar saving more lives.  One simple way you can help is by donating these supplies – everything from postage stamps, to cleaning supplies, to ink cartridges and paper, to dog and cat food and litter. Our wish lists are updated regularly so you can always find our most current needs. Please consider donating supplies to help us cover the cost of these items. The more we are able to get donated, the more animals we can help. Thank you! Adoption Center Wishlist Meow Palace Wishlist Dog Enrichment Wishlist Trails Home Farm Wishlist Farmhouse Wishlist Trails UP Wishlist  Puerto Rico Wishlist

More News from the Trail!

  • Empty the Shelters National Adoption Event

    We’re excited to announce that we’re participating in  Bissell Pet Foundation’s Spring National Empty the Shelter reduced-fee adoption event  now through May 15. Come meet cats and dogs with reduced and waived adoption fees both Saturday and Sundays during the event between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Our nation’s animal shelters are facing a capacity crisis and need your help now to get pets from shelter kennels into the couches of loving homes.