How to deal with a kitten?

Question

I got a kitten a few days ago, I've never had a cat before, the first day everything was fine-she's litter boxed tranined and everything but the problem is she's wicked annoynig I know she's just being playful but she's constanly pawing my legs and jumping on my head. Her tempernt just doesn't seem well..is this normal behavior for a kitten? I've tried spraying her but she seems to like it. I have 3 more days to bring her back but I really would like to keep her- it's just that her temperment isn't so hot.Is it normal?

Answer 1

I would consider this normal for a young kitten, yes. Your kitten plays to have fun, to develop muscles and to develop cat skills, such as hunting and defending himself.

The best way to diffuse this kind of behavior is to provide plenty of directed play time with toys. Kittens need two types of play, social play...where they interact with you and a toy, and autonomous play, where they amuse themselves when you are doing other things. Therefore, you need toys to satisfy both needs, especially the kind that will bob and swing and twist, etc...without your assistance or being there to make it interesting.

Some of the best toys are badminton birdies and simple drinking straws with the bendy part flexed, so when they chew on one end, the other end wiggles for them. Keep in mind too, that your kitten is going to be doing lots of teething, and the straw is great for that. A cat tree will help too, because it will give your cat something to climb and scratch at. Never ever give your cat foil balls or string of any kind, or rubber bands, as these pose very serious health hazards. You can play with string and toys that dangle from string, but don't leave him with it unattended.

Since you have never had a kitten before...google "kitten proofing." There are many hazards around the home, including poisonous house plants, that could kill your kitten. Also, About.com has lots of great articles to help you learn what you need to know about caring for kittens. Never give them milk, as this usually causes diarrhea. Give them premium kitten food with high protein, low in grain fillers. Don't use a clumping litter while the kitten is still playing in litter or eating it--you didn't say how old he was.

As far as behavioral problems go...if you got the cat from a pet store...you may very well end up with behavioral problems because the kittens purchased in pet stores are raised in kitten factories and are never socialized properly and always are removed from their mothers too young. A kitten needs to be handled lovingly by humans from very young, throughout the first 12 weeks, and must never be removed from it's mother before 12 weeks, longer in some breeds, like the Ragdoll. If your cat was less than 12 weeks old and came from a pet store, I would seriously consider alternative ways of obtaining a kitten.

Another thing to consider is that kittens may not be for you. Adult cats are always past all that, and you might like that better. There are purebred adults of all breeds available, even in shelters. You might want to adopt a Ragdoll, as they are known to be very docile and cuddly...very laidback.

A rookie mistake with new cat owners is to play with the kitten with your bare hand...that only teaches him to think of fingers as toys...the last thing you want to do. It's real cute until they get stronger and real worked up, then it's nothing but painful and annoying. Another rookie mistake is to assume that a cat can't be trained. A cat can be trained to do anything with food bribes. Start with simple things like, saying the cat's name, then a simple command, like sit. As you say the words, you push your kitten's bottom down to a sitting position with one hand, and put tuna or shredded chicken into his mouth with the other...all at the same time. The cat will let you know when the training session is over by losing interest. Have at least one session per day. When the kitten learns "sit" you can move on to "down" and others. That way, when your kitten gets really worked up, you can tell him to "sit" and he will hopefully stop his annoying behavior and sit down. You will have to reinforce this with a food reward once in a while to keep it affective. You might also consider "clicker" training, a training technique that you can learn about on the web. It has been used for dogs for ages and people have been finding it helpful with cats as well.

And yes, eventually, your kitten will outgrow it, but it could take as long as a year for a cat to settle down. Another thought...you could get him a companion. If he has another cat to tackle he will probably leave your ankles alone. Two cats is always better than one when it comes to behavior, especially if they are introduced to each other very young.

Also, make sure you have several scratching posts, both vertical and horizontal types.

Answer 2

Yes, it's normal and if you haven't had a kitten before then I will tell you to be patient. New kittens act differently in a new environment and will adjust in time, that is where your patience comes in.

Also, what age is she? If she is 6 months old then you need to get her spayed and that may be part of your problem.

With the help of this group, I was able to accept my kitten's behavior without worrying about every little thing.

Make sure you have a lot of toys for her to play with especially those climbing scratch trees, and if you work give her lot's of attention when you come home.

A few days is not enough time to judge your kitten and I'm sorry you only have 3 more days to return her. Kittens need more time than this.

Answer 3

Totally normal. Hang some ribbon or yarn or a store cat toy from your doornob or door jam so she has something to play with. Turn on a flash light let her chase that a while. SHe's just a kitten, doing kitty things. If she's gettnig somewhere you don't want put a bit of vinegar in that water bottle and spray her with it. If she's just wanting to play, then play. IF it is too much for you maybe you should think about getting an older kitty, there are TONS of those out there that need homes and they will have calmed down and be out of the kitten phase.

Answer 4

Listen to Kaelen. Didn't you get ANY counseling when you adopted the kitten? That's unbelievable!

Run out tomorrow and get a copy of "Cats for Dummies" from a book store and read it from cover to cover as you snuggle with your baby. Baby she is and she will teach you lots of lessons and prepare you for motherhood if you think that will be in your future.

She is perfectly normal - YOU have to become a cat person. Get another kitten if you can, that's the best way to go when you are inexperienced. That's what I did fourteen years ago and they really "educated" me fast. They were terrific together.

I had been a mother and had learned that what is a problem today will be replaced with another tomorrow. Every problem you face in life is an opportunity to be creative - to grow and mature and live a full life.

Answer 5

For a first time cat owner, maybe purchasing a kitten wasn't the right idea.
Maybe reconsider and look at the adult cats in need of homes.

P.S. Don't feel bad for the kitten, as kittens get adopted so quickly and easily. It's the older cats that have a hard time finding a forever home.

Answer 6

If you spray her when she tries to play with you, she will start to avoid you. She will link getting sprayed with being near you. I don't think that is what you had in mind when you got the kitten.

Kittens play, in high gear, for short periods of time and then sleep. You might try some toys that she can use herself, like balls with bells in them or small furry mouse thingies that have rattles inside. There arae also wands available at pet stores that have feathers and other interesting things on one end and the other is meant for you to hold. This will teach your kitten how to play with you and you will have a lot of fun playing with the kitten.

Good Luck! If this level of activity is not what you wanted, do consider returning her and getting an older cat that is more settled.

Answer 7

She sounds perfectly normal to me! Remember she is a kitten just like a child. You don't want to spray her when she is only playing! I hope that you give her a chance she sounds like a healthy and playful kitten to me.

Answer 8

You have a friendliy kitten that loves you! When I got mine, she was shy and it took a couple of days for her to get used to me. But after that, she acted the same way your kitten did. Get your kitten some jingle toys / the wand or some toys and play with it.

Answer 9

I had a kitten to like that and it was all over the place i could say on the ceiling to . But i guess they just settle down after they get older . if you really cant handle the cat then maybe give it away or somethig but i wouldnt if u like it good luck just play with it :)

Answer 10

cats are VERY affectionate and attention loving... this is quite normal and the point in spraying her is that she doesnt like it and will associate that with what she did wrong. also you need to give her time because she is still adjusting to a new home.