Help with my kitten please!?

Question

I have a three month old kitten that I took in at six weeks because she had been abandoned. I am living alone with her in a camper while going to school full time and working two part time jobs. Lately, she has started to act up and get into everything. Today, when I came in to eat lunch between one job and class, she had unrolled half of the toilet paper all over the bathroom. Also, she likes to attach my feet and bite at my ankles. She will also randomly bite me in the back of my arm when I am sitting on the couch or working on homework. Is there any reason to this? How do I stop it? Also, is it a good idea to board her after she 'fixed' in November?

What types of toys will best entertain her when I'm not home? She is pretty good about not playing when I am asleep. As long as I am not talking she knows that she should behave especially if we play before bed.

Thanks for all the hints. I will think about getting another kitten; cost doesn't bother me. (Will be hard since I go to parent's home every now and then and she goes with.) I will try to be home more to play with her.

Answer 1

All kittens behave like this when they're bored. Either give it a playmate or give it more toys.

Answer 2

Attacking your feet and ankles is part of playing. She's not trying to hurt you, she just wants to rough-house. To curb this behavior (and it should be curbed or you'll end up with a biting, ankle attacking adult cat), spray her with water from a bottle or squirt gun when she attacks. She needs to associate the behavior with negative consequences.

Biting you on the back of the arm could also be playing, but it could also be her way of trying to get your attention. Spray bottle or squirt gun would work here, too. It's not mean, it doesn't hurt them at all.

As far as the toilet paper.....well, that's just a kitten being a kitten. They get into anything and everything they possibly can. Keep this in mind as far as dangers; cords, poisons, plants, etc. But the toilet paper unrolling CAN carry over into adulthood (I read about an adult cat having that habit). If you don't want her doing it forever.....spray her with water if you catch her at it.

Board her? Board her where? Why? And for how long?

Oh, after reading the first post, I think I see what you mean. Do you mean in order for her to recover? That probably won't be needed. Most cats are kept at the vet overnight, and they heal pretty quickly after the surgery. Just make sure she's kept comfortable and don't encourage play or jumping for 7-10 days. I don't think she'll be in a very "playful" mood after the surgery...she'll probably sleep a lot. So I don't think she'd be in any danger home alone.

(And I didn't touch on the bored thing.....I agree that getting lots of cat toys is a very good idea.)

Answer 3

Kittens just have so much energy and capacity for mischief. She needs someone with her more of the time than you are able to give her and I don't think it sounds like another kitten would be an option for you as one will be expensive enough for shots, worming, testing and spaying. She wouldn't need to be boarded after spaying as she could rest quietly in the camper.

I don't think you can stop this as you don't really have the time or availability to train her. Kittens just have to work off that energy somehow or other.

So you will just have to put up with her, and I hear you when you say this is difficult for you, or consider that another home would be the best for her where she would get more attention and maybe have a kitten friend to play with.

You could go to www.spiritessence.com and consider getting Dr. Jean Hovfe's Hyper Helper for Cats. You could treat the kitten with drops of that remedy when you are with her. And I imagine it would not be too effective as her behavior is totally age-appropriate. Still it's only $16.95, no shipping, handling or taxes. You just shake the bottle really well and put three to four drops on her fur between her ears.

Answer 4

Kittens are like little kids...they play, eat, sleep and restart the cycle over and over again.
Remember she is a cat, so she will play with things that catch her attention, such as toilet paper (because it moves even with the slightest wind current) or feet.
The attacking part is also normal...felines like to pounce, she is attacking your feet and arms as training for future encounters with mice or dogs or birds or lizards, I'm sure if you observe her long enough you will find that before she attacks she is watching your moves closely, preparing to strike, you can always distract her before she attacks by calling her name or just giving her a little flick.
The best time to get another kitten is right now. As with children, kittens are less territorial than adult cats, so if you plan on giving her a little bro or sis you should do it now to prevent her from peeing all over your place and your stuff (that´s what she'll do if you bring some other cat once she reaches adulthood, unless she ummm likes him...) and to get her a play pal.

There are some new toys for cats that you can get almost anywhere (Target, Petco, petsmart, Randalls, etc.) mainly little things that move and or are flurry, plus a scratching post to keep her away from your furniture.
An inexpensive toy that always works with Oscar (my cat) is a little paper ball, just throw it and she will love the rustling of paper, or there's always the empty box, just leave it there and she will have fun exploring it.

Hope this was of help! Good luck!

Answer 5

Most likely she is bored, it sounds like she's home alone most of the day. Try getting her several toys, but don't put them all down for her at once. Give her a few a day and change them out so she always has variety. If it's an option, you could try getting her a playmate so that she has company while you are away. It's probably pretty lonely for her all day, that's why she gets into stuff, she's looking for something to do. If you do get her a playmate though, make sure to introduce them gradually because they may not get along at first. As far as the boarding that's really a personal preference. If she does ok at the kennel then there's nothing wrong with boarding her. Don't board her with a vet though, remember they have sick animals there to and your animal may get exposed to illness.

Answer 6

After 40 yrs of living with and closely observing cats from newborns to oldsters; cats aren't aren't as totally independent as most people are led to think. They are a very social animal. I truly believe that they do better in 2's, especially if your time with them is limited. If you are inclined, NOW is the perfect time to introduce a floor buddy to your kitten. Their interaction with each other is priceless as youngsters, and as they grow old together.

My advice for your question of boarding after spay.....should you not be able to be on hand for a couple of days afterward to observe kitty closely, an extra day or two of boarding would be an excellent precaution. A responsible vet will have a boarding area set aside away from the illness of others.

Enjoy the kitten antics. They grow up before you know it.

Answer 7

Some of my cat's bite but only to say love me. They are like people and will do what ever they can for a little extra attention-good or bad. An extra hug or scratch usually helps. Most of the other answers are really good. 1 thing I usually try to remember is the full moon. It affects cats just like it affects some people - they just act extra crazy at times.

Answer 8

well, she is displaying normal kitten behavior. There is a toy (which my cat loves) is this thing that hangs from any door and has catnip mice at the end of it. Also you can try those balls that have bells and other stuff in them for her to bat around the house--another toy my cat enjoys. My baby is now 1 1/2 years old and has outgrown most of his kitten things!!

Answer 9

Maybe you should find your kitten a good home with someone else. Kittens need a lot of attention and it sounds like you are really busy right now. You can always get another kitten when you can fit it into you schedule. Kittens are always into things so this is normal.

Answer 10

The cat is too closed in. It needs more room. Cats are really active at some point of the day. They need room to run and they need attention. The cat sounds terribly bored, lol