How to cure a cat who likes to bite

[carolv]

My almost two year old cat likes to bite - usually a gentle "I want something" bite or playful bite -  but I would like to discourage this, for he has broken skin a few times.  Water helps temporarily, but he only runs away when I am carrying the small water bottle I use to squirt him with. Without the bottle, I am game for a nip or two.

Help!  Any suggestions.  Otherwise, he is a delightful, pleasant, intelligent cat.

[carolv]

from CarolV
Thank you for your response to my cat's biting problem.  Your suggestion makes sense, and I had tried it briefly but not consistently.  The mommy cat's action is a good one to try.  

[BStrong]

Something fun to watch... "Super cute!"
youTube video - Titled: "the mean kitty song."
*:)*

[BStrong]

By my experiences...
The spray bottle approach is most effective when you wish to encourage your cat to flee. As you've discovered - from your description of the reaction you are currently receiving.
Spraying your cat with water is effective for when kitty is caught “red pawed” - exhibiting an undesired behavior that is within a interaction that is not affectionate in nature.
For an example: Up on a counter-top or while they are actively displaying the undesired behavior from afar. Other potential reasons that could be considered appropriate and/or effective when implementing the spay bottle or 'water technique' would be *when caught in the act* of scratching the furniture, invading/playing in a household plant or any various mischievous activities and or behaviors that you wish would cease to witness.

I personally do not use the spay bottle approach – I have found that for these incidences... If I use a scolding/unhappy tone (Mommy is unhappy with you.) while clapping my hands or sometimes it's plenty effective to only clap - loudly to successfully have your little mischievous kitty villain fleeing the scene.....  
Or effectively discouraged - “If you will.”
To have success with achieving  desired results will more then likely take many times or 'many-many times' when concerning how long it'll require your patience - Many consistent repetitive - discouraging response to their undesired 'naughty' behavior rectified will vary some with each kitty, but over time if caught in the act often enough either method (clapping/spray bottle) is effective for discouraging and eventually eliminating these types indirect non-affectionate behaviors.  
.........
Discouraging behavior of an 'affectionate kind' seems that many find these circumstances a bit more challenging to rectify. And as you are finding out - a hand that reverts from play and affection to spraying water is "not proving effective."
Why?
“It's far too confusing and especially for little kitty cognition.” :)
I have recently run across your same question - asked on a number of forums – so it is a relatively common occurrence.
Sad but true....
Actually every kitty can otherwise be "unknowingly” taught and encouraged to bite the hands that feed and pay attention to them.
“But just as they don't know how 'cute' they are – they don't know that they are doing something undesirable during this time that's otherwise more understood as best as kitty's can - to be affectionate. -
There is an means to effectively communicate that their biting is not wanted though...
Kitty's are awesome affectionate creatures so receiving positive attention/play is greatly enjoyed.
The common mistake is once kitty bites this “sharing of affection” continues because you don't wish to discontinue sharing the affectionate interaction either.
And ironically or maybe not – But...
The spray bottle effectively continues giving attention to the undesired behavior - biting.
How?
Because kitty's attention span is about less then a minute.
Giving any type of response or direct attention *equals* encouraging the biting.
especially so if you do so using your hands....

“So... What is our understanding 'really' of how kitty's communicate with one another?”
Obviously, limited....
But if you watch mommy kitty become annoyed by one of her kittens behavior such as 'playing with mommy's tail' (This would also typically include biting.) She will show her annoyance by first pulling her tail close to her body and then if the kitten persist eventually mommy responds by “leaving.”
Thus very effectively removing the attention – affection.
Emulating mommy's response to what is obviously seen as an intolerable annoyance – with how the human companion responds when hand biting occurs is... The optimum response, logically.
Good news is - "kitty's attention span is less than a minute."
*Pulling your hands entirely out of reach and showing your annoyance with a huff or a unhappy toned 'No' effectively communicates,
“No biting will be tolerated.”
Less then *one minute* of denying attention that the kitty was otherwise enjoying is a direct – powerful means of communicating, “No biting!”
You can even exclaim, “Ouch!” (Using your unhappy tone.)
Once you have not allowed the biting – by withdrawing and having you hands entirely inaccessible for 30 or so seconds –  Return the affection - only while the biting is not at all being attempted – However long this is – a millisecond or a minute or longer but consistently withdrawing - “No exceptions.”
Even if it is only a milliseconds - three strikes kitty loses the offering of your affections.....
This withdraw following three strikes needs to be five minutes or so...
If it becomes longer – Even if hours pass – it's alright.
When you allow affectionate interaction to resume - withdraw exactly in the same fashion as before. “No tolerance of any biting!”
Five minute withdrawal after three strikes regardless.    
Another important element to remember that will aid in ensuring your success with eliminating the undesired affectionate behavior is to maintain 'consistency' this includes others who enjoy kitty's company to also withdraw affection in the same fashion as you do.
  
No matter if a kitty is 1 month or 5 - years old or even older this direct affection withdrawal will be 95% effective - roughly.  :)
The only exception - or the potential 5% occurs when in very unfortunate cases in which the prior attention kitty received happened to be continuously too rough/aggressive play – attention that might have lacked proper show of affection or worse crossing the line to involving abusive treatment.
As with rectifying the problem at any age – causing destruction can also result at any age.... As the kitty loses trust in reaction to the mistreatment – The natural reaction can be as drastic as the kitty withdrawing by choice...
Thus no longer wishing for affection - as it is unpredictable and scary.
(*Obviously, this isn't the case with the circumstances you have described as you own.*)
Even still - and in the the worst case scenario - with enough patience and consistency of discouraging responses are usually effective to  greatly reduce the undesirable 'biting' to some degree.
"Even when abusive situations have persisted...."
Hope you as well as other readers find these strategies helpful....
Kitty's make great little friends.
I wish you the best success resolving this far too common “biting” dilemma...
Take care,
BStrong
:)  

[dove3053]

I had a cat like that and the only one she wouldn't bite was my boybriend. When we broke up and he settled in somewhere else I gave him the cat. He loves that cat and she loves him.

Doesn't help your problem but I just had to share.

My cat was a stray and I think  someone let her go because of the biting and my playing with her didn't help and she thought biting was ok.

Dove