My kitten is 4 months old and is constantly pouncing on me, biting and scratching. What can I do to stop him doing this?
2006-10-21 11:34:13 · 15 answers · asked by Galaxy Girl 1 in Pets ➔ Cats
That's play aggression - he is socializing the only way he knows how bc that's how he would have done it with his littermates. You need to realize it's a phase - but don't encourage it. Find lots of toys for diversion.
the DaBird (feather on a string attached to a wand)
The Barnes & Nobles bags are scruncy & fun to play in
Kitty tunnels
Cardboard box with a ping pong inside of it
Throw a ping pong ball into the shower or tub - he'll bat it around
Walmart has nylon cubes for cats (by Sport Pet) my cat loves them.
We go to PetCo and buy SoftPaws which are little plastic tips to glue over the kitty's nails - we just do the fronts.
He also likes the cardboard scratchers. And he has a kitty condo/tree that has four levels which he's always on and it has wood, sisal and carpet scratching areas. Our cats likes various textures to scratch on.
Also my vet. said when my kitty had play aggression to take his scruff and just "hold him" down (assuming he's on the carpet/floor). Then just hold him firmly (not too hard). for about 10 seconds and walk away. Do not ever engage him if he's getting too rough bc that will just escalate the situation. After he's about a year old this will reduce as long as you are not playing with him with your hands. If he starts nipping, then time to put him down, soon he'll relalize there is no pay-off for that behavior.
The water bottle squirt works too.
Here is a good site for supplies & toys:
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/NavResults.cfm?N=2002+113967
2006-10-21 13:24:01 · answer #1 · answered by Lake Lover 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
That's just what kitties do. Small kittens always claw and climb up your leg and bite because they're small and that's their idea of fun. Unfortunately, you have to live with it for a few more months. That behavior will usually stop around the ages of 8 months to 1 year. Do not bite your cat! That's a horrible suggestion! Biting or reciprocating your cats behavior will just make him hate you. Also, your teeth and jaws are much stronger than your cats and you might actually hurt him. Also...don't hit your cat with rolled up paper....That only works for dogs. Dogs can be submissive, but cats have an indepedent streak and they can be very resentful and pissed off.
To help with clawing, you can buy your cat a scratching post. That will wittle down his claws and he can take out his playful agression on it. Also, vets have these claw caps that they can put on your cat. It's just a protective covering so when the cat scratches you, you just feel a soft rounded edge massaging your skin. Another last chance option (don't kill me for mentioning it) is declawing your cat. My sister had to declaw her cat because she loved it and didn't want to give it up, but it accidently jumped on her daughter and slid off her face with her claws out! The little girl ended up with bloody streaks across her face. Cats don't realize they hurt people sometimes.
Lastly, maybe wear long jeans for a while. They make these huge mittens you can put on your hands so the cat attacks the mittens instead of your hands.
Hope this helps!
2006-10-21 13:09:42 · answer #2 · answered by kitmitzi 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Is he doing it viciously or playfully? Pouncing, biting and scratching is how kittens play. If he's an only kitten, try getting another kitten around his age that he can socialize with and expend his energy with.
(If you do get another, get a female since you already have a male.)
2006-10-21 11:38:39 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you really want this cat then you need to start making rules. Do certain tricks to let him or her know you're the boss and not him or her. Whenever he or she starts biting you, you point a finger at him or her and say no and if that doesn't work you start hitting it on it's butt with a roll of paper. If this violent cat keeps being disobedient you sell it for good.
2006-10-21 11:37:45 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Galaxy,
First, please don't think I am insane.
I have had cats all my life. Psycho, my kitten, is the first to live up to his name.
When I started biting him back, he stopped his behavior.
When he bites you, take his front arm and bite him. Not hard, just until he meows out of insult and shock.
My coworker did this with her pit. I thought she was insane, but it works.
Oh, and when kitty has "relapses" and bites or scratches you again, just chop your teeth. He'll run.
2006-10-21 11:44:28 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The kitten is not "vicious". If he has no kitten playmate you are it!
Play with him with interactive toys such as a cat dancer or feather toy and not your hands. It is up to you to teach him that human hands are not toys - they are for gentle stroking and loving.
2006-10-21 13:02:03 · answer #6 · answered by old cat lady 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Spray him with a squirt gun when he attacks. Cats don't like water and he will figure it out. Also he may need some toys to keep him busy.
2006-10-21 11:54:33 · answer #7 · answered by notyou311 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Training classes!
2006-10-21 11:46:38 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Dispel the rumor that bed-mice taste the best.
2006-10-21 11:49:23 · answer #9 · answered by Midge 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
get it anouther cat to play with. not one thats smaller or timid,or get a tennis ball and play with him,a piece of aluminum foil works but don't let it chew it.
2006-10-21 11:40:11 · answer #10 · answered by Larry m 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋