Worried....How bad is the biting / sleep attacks ?

[CoolSphynx]

Dobby, the sphynx i babysit, is laid back and mostly toothless (he was a rescue). Some of the Sphynx tales posted here about biting and beating up folks in their sleep are making me nervous. You are all so humorous and good natured in your bite reports that I can't figure out how serious the biting is in the breed as a whole. I think I'd be a too scared to sleep if the Sphynx I eventually adopt will pierce my nose in my sleep...(snuggles are one of the best part of being owned by a cat so I jut coulldn't lock my kitties out of the bedroom)

so i guess my question is for folk who've had sphynx for a long time -- do they grow out of the biting attacks? i have trouble sleeping as it is, so maybe i'm overly sensitive to the sleep stories

 

[nbolin]

The Sphynx is the sweetest, loviest, most wonderful cat i've ever been in contact with. Any time i've had a cat bite me it was always in a playful manner. You just have to know how to treat it. All cats bite, not just Sphynx's. Sometimes they can also do it to get attention from you, as Sphyn'xs are more prone to do. It does tend to be a little worse in kitties that have been taken away from thier mothers too soon. They have not had the chance to learn from thier litter mates whats ok for a bite, and whats biting too hard. I find it really helps that if you are playing with them, or they do bite you for some unknown reason, just yell "OW!" loudly, and it pretty much stop them in thier tracks. After a while they will learn the difference between play bites, and what actually hurts you. I don't think you should be nervous about adopting a Sphynx

 

[Brooke]

Dobby, the sphynx i babysit, is laid back and mostly toothless (he was a rescue). Some of the Sphynx tales posted here about biting and beating up folks in their sleep are making me nervous. You are all so humorous and good natured in your bite reports that I can't figure out how serious the biting is in the breed as a whole. I think I'd be a too scared to sleep if the Sphynx I eventually adopt will pierce my nose in my sleep...(snuggles are one of the best part of being owned by a cat so I jut coulldn't lock my kitties out of the bedroom)

so i guess my question is for folk who've had sphynx for a long time -- do they grow out of the biting attacks? i have trouble sleeping as it is, so maybe i'm overly sensitive to the sleep stories

Hi CoolSphynx,
Yes, we joke a lot about being harassed in our sleep, but really the only time I get attacked is right when I go to bed or in the morning when it's time for breakfast. The cats think bed time means "play time" and they like to pounce on anything that moves under the covers! It doesn't go on for very long (15-20 minutes) before they are settling in to sleep, too...

As far as biting, I'm not aware of the sphynx being more prone to it. Walter has recently started putting his teeth on my nose in the mornings because he's figured out that's a good way to wake me up, but he's never, ever hurt me or actually pierced my skin! My newest boy, Nelson, on Saturday was giving me a series of headbutts and put his teeth on my chin, but he also didn't bite down...it was just a sweet little love nibble!

But, just like nbolin said, you can definitely put a stop to any biting behavior when your kitten is young by correcting it early on.

If snuggles are your favorite part of having a cat, well, the sphynx is the ultimate snuggler! :Laugh:

 

[admin]

My Sphynx have never bitten us, unless in a playful manner. Although Leo has taken a liken to my wife since Athena is with her babies in her own room and has given my wife some love bites!

 

[lovinsphynx]

Just remember no two sphynx are alike only Tuttles chooses to bite me sometimes it doesn't hurt and others it does but that is mostly when he is playing or wants something lol my other two lick me to death so it depends on your sphynx's personality. Don't worry with sphynx cats you always seem to get one that is perfect for you. just ask anyone of us, it's strange but true.

 

[CoolSphynx]

Thanks so much everyone! It's really reassuring to hear that. lovinsphynx, I think you're absolutely right abut somehow ending up with the pet that fits you. My kitties break the rules in terms of breed expectations, but I couldn't love 'em any more...For example, Dobby the Toothless WonderSphynx is my lap baby, while my persian is off the walls... Imagine having a FancyFeastCat look-alike working as your Sphynx's "personal trainer." Rather embarrassing for the Dobby.

 

[ilovemysphynx]

As admin said ours have never bitten but I do think Leo has mistaken me for Athena the past few days usually we get in bed and he gives a few kisses and goes under the covers and to sleep very quick! Until last night he got on the bed snuggled up on my neck (making some crazy noise that at first we thought was cute then he bit onto my arm and started (this is yucky) humping my arm? ok so I told him no my husband laughed and leo went to sleep. So again just a bit ago he started doing the same thing to my leg? He has never did anything like this before, what the heck! Some people that come over already think our cats are strange how do I explain this I told him no and put him on the floor any one know what else I can do?

 

[lovinsphynx]

Ilovemysphynx that is so funny but all too familar Rayray does that to my husband and rayray is fixed lol so maybe its a compliment in cat terms lol I just can't get the picture i have our of my head

 

[ilovemysphynx]

Ilovemysphynx that is so funny but all too familar Rayray does that to my husband and rayray is fixed lol so maybe its a compliment in cat terms lol I just can't get the picture i have our of my head

Well I am glad it is not just me! Last night he did it again and was realy bitting my husband had to pull him off of me. I just don't get it he always slept under the covers and now wants to be on my neck, I was falling asleep and he just kept staring at me?

 

[kalliee129]

that is too funny! I thought midnight was a little to affectionate when he would nuzzle and try to suckle at my neck, but I can honestly say I never had a cat humping situation. I think Leo isn't getting enough attention from Athena, who would've thunk it, even in kitty marriage the men feel deprived :Laugh:

CoolSphynx don't worry so much about the night play's and biting. Meecho only bites me when she wants under my shirt and I don't move fast enough. All they feel like are little pinches to my belly that make me laugh more then anything. As far as her playing at night I've found the best thing for me is to keep my bedroom door cracked open and Meecho will take her playtime outside where she can annoy someone else

 

[Brooke]

Well I am glad it is not just me! Last night he did it again and was realy bitting my husband had to pull him off of me. I just don't get it he always slept under the covers and now wants to be on my neck, I was falling asleep and he just kept staring at me?

LOL!! ilovemysphynx, the whole humping thing is really cracking me up...I've never had a cat humping situation either, thank God. :Laugh: I don't know if I would be embarrassed or take it as a compliment!

 

[ilovemysphynx]

Yeh I kind of feel A bit grossed out, He sure must miss his Athena, we have been keeping them apart and Leo is going crazy I keep reminding him I am not A cat! Lets hope he learned his lesson after last night or our bedroom door is getting closed tonight!

 

[kerrie78]

OMG - ilovemysphynx that is the funniest thing ever (not for you i'm sure)!

 

[ilovemysphynx]

OMG - ilovemysphynx that is the funniest thing ever (not for you i'm sure)!

Glad you all think it is funny because he won't stop I keep telling him he will have to get his you know what chopped but he doesn't seem to care! I just hope he doesn't start doing it to company:Laugh:

 

[kerrie78]

Maybe he has a kitty crush on you!

 

[ilovemysphynx]

Just what I have always wanted Sorry Leo but 1 husband is enough for me!

 

[CoolSphynx]

Just what I have always wanted Sorry Leo but 1 husband is enough for me!

LOL. Is he always amorous when separated from Athena? Leo must be wild when she''s in heat but your not planning a breeding. Men!

 

[ilovemysphynx]

LOL. Is he always amorous when separated from Athena? Leo must be wild when she''s in heat but your not planning a breeding. Men!

No we don't want another litter she just had one on July 1! My little princess needs A break! And Myself I see no litter in my future kitten or human 2 is enough for us.

 

[kerrie78]

Well if you had kittens you would be gazillionaires!

 

[ilovemysphynx]

Well if you had kittens you would be gazillionaires!

Yeh but I don't think the news and reporters would ever leave me alone, but then I could move to that great place you told silly4lilly about for her honeymoon!

 

[TheFlork]

Yeah i think the term biting is used to loosely, especially for these cats, cuz its really just a nibble. mine chews on my fingers all the time, but ever so gently. even when we are play fighting he really just puts his mouth around my hand with no pressure and then runs off again and back to start over lol

now on the other hand, my cat too has started the humping faze...i hope its a faze... and when he bites down for that it hurts, mostly cuz its always a surprise, but there is some pressure, not enough to break the skin though.

 

[klreese]

my kitties are the most sweet, precious babies ever. My bea will 'nip' when we pet her and stop. it isn't hard AT ALL.. just a little "hello, i still want to be pet"... they do enjoy "attacking" handing or toes under covers WHILE you're playing with them.. but they never just pounce if they aren't stimulated before hand. my kitties have never "attacked" me at night or while i was sleeping.

 

[LLevenson]

ahhh, the biting issue. I am glad someone else experiences this "affection". Arias is very "mouthy". Came that way from the breeder when he was just a little guy. We have tried spray bottles, yelling "Ow" when he bites, and now have resorted to bumping him with a pillow (this is when we are in bed at night). He is not aggressive, but he has definitely learned that if he uses his mouth, he gets attention...most of the time it's when he's playing, but every once in a while he wants something and heaven forbid we are watching TV and don't tend to his need ASAP!
I can't seem to explain it in the correct sphynx-language that "I don't have thick skin, it hurts when you use your mouth". but I keep trying! Mostly, he uses his mouth whenever he hasn't been played with enough or is hungry (I say it this way b/c it's not malicious biting, it's more, like "hey woman, play/feed/pay attention to me"). If we play with him or feed him, then he immediately goes back to the loving little guy we know. Guess he has us trained? At night, all I have to do is grab the pillow and he runs off. Then he comes back and nestles in for sleep. SO I KNOW he KNOWS better He also only ever does this to me, not my husband. I have no idea why, must be a guy thing!
My vet thinks we should get him another animal friend who he can play with and be entertained by. She thinks a dog would be a better choice than another cat. And actually, the times we have traveled w/ Arias to my in-laws or my parent's (who all have dogs) Arias is SOOOOO well behaved it's like a different cat. He plays with the dogs and studies them like they are some fascinating new species. and at night, he bee-lines for the bed and is out in seconds. Something about all the stimulation and play time and he's a perfect angel! :Sweet-angel:

Has anyone else noticed a reduction in the "attention biting" when they added another animal to the mix, and whether a cat or dog makes a difference?

 

[ElGatoLoco]

You have absolutely nothing to worry about. The only problem I have is being woken up. Even then, it's not constant. He usually only tries to play with me when I sleep late. The biting and playing is nothing.

 

[ckutkuhn7]

Snuffie was mouthy when we first got her but we used the yell out loud "OW" technique and she isn't all that bad at all now. In fact, I can't recall her nipping or biting at all in the recent months. She must have out grown it. Even when she did bite tho it wasn't all that bad, except when your sleeping really well and she bites the inside of your arm.....OMG OUCHIE!!!! lol

The sphynx breed is very loving and I've never heard of a bite that was so bad it required medical treatment much less a owner complaining about it. Once one of the kitties steal your heart and you realize one Saturday afternoon that you are letting them eat off of your plate, your really not gonna care if they do bite you, in a playfull manner or not! lol