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A little background -at one point I had 4 cats, not because I set out to, it just...happened. I've lost 3 out of the 4. The last two going just a couple months ago.

We got one rescue cat and it took a little while for him to adjust but he's a total love now. I was on the fence about getting another. I feel badly for the new one as he's only 2 and playful and my 10 year old overweight cat isnt.

I had another cat come for a trial run. He was very shy but had started to come around BUT, he liked to nip when you'd pet him. I mean he'd bite, and not always gently. Never broke the skin or anything but it did hurt. My son (14) wouldn't touch him at all for fear of being bit. My daughter (16) would only pet him with a sweatshirt sleeve pulled down over her hand.

I had the lady take him back, but I'm wracked with guilt. I dont' know why really. It's a no-kill rescue. We only had him 2 weeks. I guess it's partly because the young cat did seem to enjoy his company. And I just feel so badly for the rescue that went back. He was a nice cat, just wouldn't stop biting (and the foster woman said he still did it to her, so it wasn't like he was going to grow out of it after 2 years).

Anyhow, this is probably the longest post I've ever had on here and it's about CATS.

It sounds like the cat might have experienced pain when he was pet, thus the biting. Hopefully the shelter will have him looked at for any physical ailments.

Was it every pet the caused biting or was it after a few he was *done*? Cats love to be pet until that millisecond when they have had enough

He seemed perfectly happy during the petting/biting. He'd bite and be rubbing right up against you before and after for more attention. It was intermittent.

Our 8month foster/now adopted kitten play bites. She will give kisses, then gentle bite, then more kisses. Sometimes when she is super spunky she will be bitey, which can be painful (no skin broken). We are redirecting her with this awesome stick toy with felt fish on the end (love the dollar store). She doesn't bite in anger. Just the energy of being a kitten. For us, extra playtime = no biting.

I think each cat is different. Hopefully, the shelter has her checked by a vet to rule anything out. I hope the shelter and/or new owner help redirect her bitiness.

[This message edited by SI Staff at 11:25 AM, May 25th (Sunday)]

A vet friend of mine had a cat that was bottle raised as a kitten. According to her most kittens that are bottle fed never outgrow the biting. Something about mama cat teaches when the kitten is ready to learn and his mama wasn't of the feline variety.

I think you did the right thing, especially since your kids were starting to not pet him.

Not every animal is a great fit for every family.

Some other person may be perfectly content to have a biter.

We have always gotten rescue kitties. My current one is a hunter and a killer and aggressive she bites when she's lovey. She COMPS when she's in crazed kitty mode.

I don't like it. The spouse and the son actually encourage her.

I say forgive yourself. Go back in a few weeks and see if they have a different kitty that fits better.

Thank you.

I know he wasn't the right cat for us, but I'd gotten somewhat attached.