Hi, I’m Christopher! Read my introduction to learn more about me and my silly Russian Blue cat, Olga.
Olga is not aggressive, but like a Golden Retriever puppy, she likes to use her mouth to express herself. He was a little blue devil that bit and tore into my house when he was a kitten. When I tried to pick him up, he curled into a ball, gripped my arm with his claws, and sank his fangs into my flesh.
He doesn’t bite as often now; when he does, he’s usually more playful than violent. Some people mistake playful cat bites for aggression, and I’m sure many unfortunate cats have been abandoned or rehomed for biting or scratching. Cat bites can send you to the hospital when it’s severe, but a little kiss from a playful cat won’t do much harm.
Olga does not bite much, as she did as a kitten, but she has adopted a new habit recently. After he ate dinner, he became more energetic and jumped on my recliner. He jumps back and forth from one armrest to another, and when I approach him, he makes a noise and seems to bite the air.
It’s not hissing but a warning or possibly an invitation to play with him. He never “spits” when the guests are over, but most people, except my friends and family, misconstrue this as a prelude to an attack. I’m not sure why he started spitting recently, and I don’t think he learned it from watching alpacas in nature videos.
Most cats have preferences for where they like to pet and will let you know when you touch an off-limits area. Olga’s “no-touch” zone covers almost her entire body except for her head and neck. It took her a few years before she let me hug her back, and to this day, she will bite me if I don’t move around her neck.
Olga bit me too. He would curl up next to me or jump on my lap and bite my hand without being provoked. Some would say it’s a sign of affection, but I think she just likes being a jerk sometimes. He loves rubbing his neck, but he also enjoys irritating me. The urge to annoy me is often stronger than the urge to rest.
He shows more restraint when he is hungry, which is where he is most affectionate. He is on his best behavior when begging for an early dinner but is not afraid to show his fangs and dig after he eats. I can train him to stop biting me, but he doesn’t draw blood and doesn’t do it often enough to bother me.
The tickling will stop if I ignore him when he invites me to chase him or stop him from jumping on my lap. However, playful biting is in her nature, and she wouldn’t be a happy cat if she stopped rubbing my arm or hand.
