My Pet World: Cats can be distracted and redirected toward better behavior too

By Cathy M. Rosenthal, Tribune Content Agency on Mar 28, 2018

Don't use your hands or arms to play with her, and never punish her for this normal behavior. Instead, correct her and offer her toys to teeth on instead.

When she sinks her teeth into you, give a short "yelp" to interrupt the behavior and then say, "let go." Praise her and give her a treat if she let's go. Some training experts say you should go "quiet" because prey also yelps when you bite. But, I have found this usually does not work for a puppy who is wired at this age to listen.

If she doesn't let go, shake a can of coins or purchase a Pet Corrector, which emits a compressed air sound, to get her attention. If this still doesn't break her grip, squeeze very gently just behind her nose/mouth area to unlatch her grip. Then give her a toy she can chew on. Over time, she should learn to play with her toys, and not your arms or hands.

Dear Cathy,

I have a 3-year-old female cat. She was a rescue cat and is fixed. Ever since I took her in, she has been residing under my couch for eight days. She only comes out in the middle of the night to eat and use the litter box. I purchased the calming spray because she is shedding terribly. I think she is stressed, but she does eat well. I really want to keep her and not set her free when the weather warms but is breaking my heart that I cannot coax her out during the day. My other cat was 2 when I rescued him, and he adjusted just great. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. -- Joni, via email

Dear Joni,

Eight days is not long enough for a previously outdoor cat to adjust to living in a new home. She needs several weeks or months to adjust -- and may take even more time than that before she comes near you to be petted.

Use plug-in feline pheromones around the home and play with her twice a day using a fishing pole-type toy with a feather on the end. At some point, she won't be able to resist the feather toy -- and will bolt out from under the couch to play. The more she does this, the more confidence and security she will feel in her new home.

The fact that she is not fighting with your other cat and is eating at night bodes well for her success. Be patient, and you will eventually have many wonderful years with this feline.

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(Cathy M. Rosenthal is a longtime animal advocate, author, columnist and pet expert who has more than 25 years in the animal welfare field. Send your pet questions, stories and tips to cathy@petpundit.com. Please include your name, city, and state. You can follow her @cathymrosenthal.)