Holding a kitten?

Question

When my 8 wk old kitten is on the floor I usually juss put my hand underneath him, like hold him by his tummy and pick him up. Does this hurt him? He doesn't seem to jump off? Any other good ways to pick him up?


Oh yea and sometimes my kitten is purring and he bites me a lot. Everytime i try to pet him, he tries to grab my finger and bite it. any idea why?

Answer 1

I made a huge mistake with my first cat - getting angry when she bit me as a kitten...this is totally normal and is usually what I now call "love bites". Trust me, if it's not an affectionate or playful behavior, you'll know it. Cats love to play and feel loved/pet...give the kitty all the love and reassurance possible, and you'll have a great companion for the long run! By the way, when they give love bites, just pull away and encourage good behavior by petting them without having your hands/whatever near their mouth.

It sounds like you're doing all the right things - be patient and loving and you're going to be with a happy cat :-)

Answer 2

Don't worry about pickin him up like that by the tummy is fine... actually if he rebounds when you do that like he's in pain you may wanna take him to the vet. you can pick him up lightly by the scruff of the neck or under the front legs like you would a little kid.. all is just fine to do...
with the biting He's playing with you... you just have to make sure they learn that biting hard isn't playing anymore... you do that by bopping him on the nose and saying NO if and when he gets old enough to have the pressure from the bit actually hurt. most of the time they will just put your mouth on you and not actually Bite down... And make sure there is nothing cute in the way you say NO... be stern... make him know you're not messing around... Cats can tell the difference between a stern look and a No and a bad kitty don't do that in a baby voice... the second won't work... because it's not the Words they hear it's the tone of voice... if you're using the same voice to tell him no as you are to tell him hes a cute good kitty then it's not going to do you any good.

You can teach a cat to do anything you can teach a dog it just takes more patience because cats are more stubborn. Pick up a book like The everything cats book... my parents got it for my kid brother when he got a cat... it's great... here's a link to it on amazon :D

Answer 3

What you are doing to pick him up is fine. You can also pick him up by the back of the neck like a mother cat does but without using your mouth. As for the biting part cats just do that. They want to play and thats how they let you know. Get him something to play with like a ball or a toy mouse. String helps too.

Answer 4

I don't think you picking him up that way hurts him. And the reason why he bites you is either because he's playful or another reason is because he wants you to pet him more. I know this because my full grown cat does that to me. It's just what they do.

Answer 5

Thats a good way to pick him up. Make sure you cradle him in your arms, treat him like a baby, thats what he is.
As for the biting, thats instinctual for cats, its an impulse to nurse and/or play fight.

Answer 6

The way you pick up your kitten is fine. :) I still pick my cats up like that and they're adult cats. :) As for the biting thing, I've heard that they can do that more as a love nip. :) But it is normal for them to do that....especially at that young age. :) My cat tabbi, she's 2, she'll come up to me and "nibble" at my finger or arm or what ever. It doenst' hurt, but I know she's there and wanting attention. I think it's her way of saying "I love you". :)

Answer 7

kittens are very playful..and no you arent hurting them..their mother puts them in a headlock with her jaws, i dont think you picking him up by grabbing his underside