Ask the Experts: Part Cat, Part Vampire?

Your Pet Question:

I adopted a kitten when someone dropped him off at my workplace. He is a male, eight-months-old now, and he has developed an annoying habit of biting me behind my neck just below my hairline when I am sleeping, or when he can get behind my back when I am sitting. He has a vet and he is healthy, but I am beginning to think he is part vampire! Why does he do this? And how can I make him stop?

Carmelita Mroz, Sydney, NS

The Expert Says:

At eight-months-old, this is a sexual maturity behaviour. Male cats subdue the female by biting at the back of the neck; this immobilizes the female during the mating process. You may wish to discuss neutering your cat with your vet. That will stop his Dracula-like behaviour as well as ensure that he doesn’t start smelly spraying to mark his territory and needlessly impregnate other cats if he gets out as well.

Cheryl Smith is the Director of Training and owner of Urika Animal Behaviour Consultants and Forever Friends Dog Training School in Ottawa, Ontario.