My kittens are using me as a climbing frame - how can I get them to stop and why do they pick on me?

Question

My 2 male kittens r about 9 wks old. Both my boyf & I work f/time, but I'm able 2 come home @ lunchtimes 2 spend time with them, as well as mornings & evenings. The last 3 days or so they've started climbing my legs. While it's cute, I'm also left with tons of painful scratches.
They're shut up in the kitchen for their own safety until we sort the house out, so when I see them I always sit down, pet & let them crawl & play over me, & they always purr like mad & then fight around me. But when I'm standing they just won't leave my legs alone. One of them can actually climb up to my shoulders when I'm standing, the other one can't get past my hips (but digs his claws in trying!) When my legs r bare they try & be gentle, but end up trying to climb me anyway.
R they just using me as a way of getting a good view of the room, or r they testing their climbing abilities? A cat tree is arriving soon, so will this stop them from using me? Is it a sign of affection as I'm their mother?

Answer 1

That's quite simple. The only time that they have to play is when you are there in the morning, lunchtime & evening. Cats are natural climbers, so you are the only thing that they can climb and test out there nails, which they are just noticing and think are cool. When your tree arrives, your problem will almost be solved. Since they have learned that they can "climb" you, they will do it because they have fun and therefore think that you MUST being having fun as well. When they start to climb, take them off, put them down and stirnly tell them no or put them on their tree.. They will get the hint.

Answer 2

When growing up our cat had kittens 3 times. One thing I learned is that they have different personalities and one may start a habit and the others will follow. One thing I would consider is that cats really do need room and freedom. Cats locked in one room all day are not going to react too well. They get bored with their environment and really need more attention than one would realize. My cats all tried to do the climbing thing, we always told them no and would take them down every-time they tired. Some of them quit but there was always that kitten that would never listen and still continued the behavior.
One should also remember that cats are a predator and that though they look like they are playing when they run jump or chase one another they are really learning skills to help them in survival. Most cats go through a climbing stage . these skills might later help them to escape an enemy or hunt.
In your case I think part of it is they want attention or food or to go outside and explore.
Good luck just be firm with them.

Answer 3

All part of the process I'm afraid - trust me all kitten owners know the joys of having Tiddles hanging off their shin by a solitary claw

:¬o

On a serious point though, I would suggest that you ignore Steph's remarks about having the boys declawed. It's barbaric and unnecessary ! Part of having cats is the acceptance that the little buggers will ruin at least one piece of furniture ( if you're lucky )

A good analogy for declawing would be to suggest that you cut your own nails by removing your fingers up to the second knuckle !!!! Declawing removes the claws, sheaths AND tendons - somewhat of a painful and unnecesary over-reaction to trying to save your sofa !!

Just wait till the tree arrives - your cats'll have a whale of a time and the entertainment value will be worth it

Enjoy

:¬)

Answer 4

Well you are their mother now. Just like they would climb all over their real mother they are showing you the same affection. Just try to CAREFULLY keep their claws clipped so it doesn't hurt you so much. But enjoy the affection while their kittens because when they get older they will start to play with themselves more and less with you.

Answer 5

It sounds like they love you a lot. The climbing tree should help. In order to stop this behaviour you just need to be firm, whenever they try to climb up you you should detatch them gently and put them back on the floor. It seems like they might be after cuddles and attention but I'm sure they won't be lacking that anytime soon.

Answer 6

the will probably stop when they get heavier and try to climb your trousers and they fall down kitten ensuing. the sheer indignation of falling with trousers is usally enough to move them away from trouser climbing and on to curtain climbing.

If you want to avoid this roll up some news paper and when they start to climb you smack the news paper against your leg(not the cat) and loudly say no. if the kitten does not let go remove it from yourself and gently but firmly sqeeze the paws and put it back on the ground.

you are going to have to repeat this often as cats are very stubborn!!

good luck

Answer 7

Every cat owner goes through this... I'm so happy my kitten finally grown out of that. Getting a cat tree might help but since they are young still they might occasionally still try to climb you but not as much.

Answer 8

Thats right;your'e momma cat, and they really, really love you if they want to climb on you. Wear trousers!!! They are so pleased to see you they just want to love you to bits- you must be a very good catmum!!! Under NO circumstances ever have a cat de-clawed; I dont know if yours are going to be indoor or outdoor cats, but either way, just dont do it. It removes the cats ONLY defence agains dogs and perverts, cat-thieves and other animals. I would rather have scratched chairs than a beloved cat killed becaust I took away her defences for my own selfish wishes.

Answer 9

The cats see you as a friend/mother. I would suggest getting them de-clawed. I know a lot of people are against it, but look at your furniture.. Do you like it? If you don't (at least) their front de-clawed your furniture will be shredded soon. And you my dear will look like you've been dragged through a bed of nails if you let this continue. Set up that cat tree that you bought and see if that helps, but do not allow them to "climb up" you. That teaches them that its OK to use people as scratching posts. Do not allow it.. It will be a hard habit to break.

Good luck sweetie.

Answer 10

So funny. I saw this question just as I was removing my 2 kittens claws from hips. They do this as a sign of affection. They want to be near your face. If you lay down, they will nuzzle into your neck or curl up on your pillow. It's definately a sign of love.