1.5 y/o Male Cat - Biting Issues
I adopted a 1.5 year old male a little over a month ago and he has bitten me and my partner pretty hard on the legs and arms. The first week he didn’t hide from us for long and was very cuddly, I assumed he was very tired from the stress of coming to a new home. The shelter told us he was returned by his previous owners due to unknown allergies, and he was originally adopted as a kitten. I am not sure if the previous owners had other cats or animals. The shelter did tell us that he love bites, and for the first week or so he didn’t bite either of us.
There’s been several instances where he has pounced on our legs and bit in a playful manner, and he’ll nip at our ankles sometimes looking to play. We have tried to tell him no and ignore the behavior for a little, and then play with him so he doesn’t think biting/pouncing will lead to play time. More recently, when we try to play with him he will either stop and stare at our legs before biting. We try to distract the behavior but we’re not always successful. He has also tried to go for our hands when using a wand toy with him.
Last night I was preparing his dinner and he got his killer eyes staring at my legs and went to bite my ankle. I told him no, he backed up and then lunged at my leg and bit me very hard right near my knee. I yelped “ow” and he walked away, but I did not feed him right away because I don’t want him to think doing so will get him fed quicker. The bite is painful to the touch and drew some blood, I washed it immediately and have been keeping an eye on it. He has also lunged at my partner’s legs pretty aggressively and that took place in the kitchen as well.
I am not sure if this is food aggression, or if because I was about 5-10 minutes late to getting his dinner for him, but he’s never acted like that before when we go to feed him. I could use some advice or reassurance, if anyone has gone through something similar with their young cat.
He is neutered and most of the time a very cuddly cat that doesn’t mind being picked up, he has nipped if you pet him in one spot for too long but rarely. I’m not sure how to curb this behavior in a healthy manner and without damaging our growing bond. He did sleep with us last night and cuddled with me, so that helps my fear that he may not like me…. Any advice would be appreciated!