What to do with a misbehaving kitten?

Question

my fiance and I adopted a tiny kitten about 2 months ago. At first he was very playful and energetic. Now he seems out of control. He bites and claws our hands and feet, attacks our faces and insists on chewing on my laptop. He won't stay out of the sink and jumps onto the stove while I'm trying to cook. He's broken two vases and knocked over a plant. He also tore up the blinds in our apartment. We've tried the squirt bottle, telling him no, giving him other toys to play with and spanking. Everything we do seems pointless. Nothing is working. I know kittens will be kittens but all this destructive behavior has to stop before he ruins our apartment. Any help or ideas would be greatly appreciated.

Answer 1

Hi

My hand reared kittens were exactly like this. They'd cling to my ankles, feet and claw my hands to shreds, I still have the scars to prove it!

I'd stop the spray bottle all together if it doesn't work. In disciplining a cat, the goal is to be able to do it without them associating you with the punishment. It sounds like you've tried many routes. Here's a couple more for you that I tried.

Oil of Rue: Cats apparently hate it. Put it on things like electircal cords, your blinds, laptop and places you don't want them to claw, climb or chew. Be sure to wear gloves as the smell will linger and you could end up with your kittens avoiding you like the plague as well for a couple days. Re-apply as needed.It Can be purchased at a health food store or holistic medicine type places.

Have you tried double sided sticky tape for your stove areas and counter? The pet store brands are wider Have you tried crumpled tin foil in the same way? Cats hate the tin foil like they do tape. Try placing it all over the counter tops. (Of course in a way you can move it when needed to prepare food)

They have toys, but do you set aside time every day at least once or twice to play with them and "wear them out". Just like kids, expanding some of that extra energy will help. It really helped me with discontinuing the clawing of hands and feet

When he misbehaves, do you ever lock him in a quiet room like the bathroom for a small period of time? Kitty detention often works. Try intervals of 15-30min at a time.

You need to get him to respond to the word NO! stated in a stern growly voice without yelling. I often add a "woshhht" noise with it that sounds like a cat hiss kind of. It's meant to be like when their mum would repromand them. Saying the NO!, stopping the activity and quickly placing them in the room should help. Eventually, they should get the picture.

Take heart and persevere. It is hard work I know because I hand reared three at a time once and I can honestly, truely say that I would have much rather got up every 2 hours in the middle of the night to feed them and rub their bums to make them pee than have one clawing my feet, another climbing my leg and the other biting my nose! Just recently ive had my hand reared kitten neutered and he is a different kitty! He's so much more loving, still playfull, but not in a damaging way. Once it is time for your kitty to be doctored i'd definatley recommend it.

You can email me direct for other information if you wish.
[e-mail]

I hope this helps
Linda

Answer 2

Do not declaw this kitten! He will be rambunctous till he outgrows it (usually about a year old). Try distracting him with treats or a toy when he's being naughty. Have him fixed as it helps mellow kitties out. It takes patience to raise a kitten. Pick your battles. If everything is NO he'll stop responding. Move the breakables to a safe place and get him a kitty tree to play and climb on. Maybe take him out on a leash. Give the little guy a chance-he'll grow out of it. Read this web page about declawing. That's just wrong! Good luck!
http://www.pawproject.com/html/faqs.asp

Answer 3

Try putting sticky mouse trap paper on the things that he jumps up on-- once he gets this on its feet it should not jump there again.

When it does something bad-- hold the cat by the scruff of the neck and loudly hisssss at it just like the mother cat would do. DOTHIS EVERY TIME , IT WILL GET THE MESSAGE


DO NOT use your hands as a toy, hands are to be used for petting only-- DO NOT hit the cat-- this will not work--- they do not respond to spankings--- this will only make it fearful of you

How about reading a book or going to a web sight on cat behavior.--GOOD LUCK

Answer 4

Maybe try getting a 2nd kitten for him to play with. Alot of the time, destructive behavior is a result of boredom/loneliness. There's a very good chance that with a second kitten, he'd take out his energy on the other cat instead of you and your furniture.

Answer 5

You need to interact with the kitty by playing with it using toys and not your hands. If you don't have the time and you spend alot of time away from home getting another kitty will help.
Spanking a cat will not give you the desired results you are looking for and quite the opposite. If you give the kitty alot of attention and TLC he would not be such a terror. Yelling and hitting will only make matters worse.

Answer 6

Sounds like he's bored. My kitten does this as well. To prevent him from attacking certain things, spray them with Bitter Apple spray you can get at pet stores - they hate how it tastes so they will avoid it. He just has to outgrow it - he's getting older, he's growing, he has lots of energy and nothing to expend it on. Trust me, it will pass.

Answer 7

You didn't say, but if he's intact, this behavior is pretty normal. You should think about having him neutered and his front claws removed. I know it sounds cruel, but you will give him a longer life, and it WILL calm him down, at least he won't be quite so destructive. Good luck with your fuzz-face!!

Answer 8

youve spoilt the kitten,

so now when u try to train it, the kitten wont listen to you.

i would say that since u r with ur fiance, and ofcourse you will have kids of your own, so take this as a lesson for how to bring up your child, and do not make your child a spoilt brat like u did to your kitten, coz, you wont be able to get rid of ur child

Answer 9

get a new kitten...they all have such distinct personalities and this one sounds like a snot. unless you want an annoying cat i would just say goodbye. it's still small enough where someone else would want it.

Answer 10

I think you need to find it a new home