Why does my kitten keep biting and clawing me?

Question

I have all kinds of scratch and bite marks on my hand because my kitten keeps clawing me and biting me. Some of them really hurt. He can be very lovey and cuddley and then 10 minutes later he's tearing my hands apart and when I correct him he bites harder and pins his ears back. What's up with my cat?

I blow in his face and I tap him on the nose but when I do he just gets all worked up and bites more. I say "NO" and he just looks at me and continues to bite and kick. Yeah I think he's just playing but I wish I could enjoy him more instead of get my hands torn off.

I have to hide my hands because if they're out in his eye sight he pounces

Answer 1

Your kitten is most likely simply playing. Cats learn to defend themselves by mock-fighting; if you don't have another kitten of the same general age around, your kitten is going to choose whoever will play with him - and that appears to be you. You do have to set some limits with him; the best way I've found is to make a LOUD unpleasant noise at him when he starts to hurt you. That's what kittens do when they fight - if one "squawks" loudly, they will generally pause in their play, and often times disengage completely - at least for a few minutes.

Answer 2

Kitten Biting

Answer 3

Kittens are very playful and hyper. Their way of "playing" with a owner is biting and the clawing if its just pushing claws against you is called "pawing". this is a affectionate clawing. The kind he/she's doing is also playful. Cats do this for reasons sometimes unknown, mostly because they are just bored and want to play with someone. If you dont have another kitten they'll likely play with the owner. I know from experience, i've had 3 kittens over the years and the one i have now is a 1 year old (Still considered kitten). They are always playful, if you need more information try googling or yahooing the topic. I hope my answer was a good one.

Answer 4

He's a kitten. That's what they do. Kittens play rough, since they're learning how to hunt through play.

What you need to emphasis is that your hands are meant for cuddles and are NOT toys. If he scratches or bites you, you need to say "NO!" loudly and put him down and ignore him for a few minutes. He needs to learn that that sort of behavior is NOT good and that you won't accept it from him.

You can also pick him up now and then and cuddle him for maybe twenty seconds, and put him back down again. Don't do this too quickly, because he might see it as an attack. Approach him slowly so he knows what your intentions are.

If he's a slightly older kitten, he might just be reaching the Terrible Twos, where they like to test their limits and yours. He might also be doing all the things you thought you trained him out of. Right now, our kitten will climb onto the dinning room table and then look at us, like she's daring us to say anything. You just have to be consistant and eventually they out-grow that phase.

Also, if he's teething, he's more likely to bite. He'll lose his baby teeth soon, and grow his permanent ones, just like people do.

Good luck!

Answer 5

first: it is typical. A kitten that young is still learning how hard it can bite. YOu need to teach it what is appropriate. When I have kittens who are very mouthy I correct them when ever they attempt to bite me. When I have kittens who aren't biters, I only correct them when they hurt me. I correct them by using the same verbal cues that siblings use - a meow like "ow" in a high pitched tone. You will know you hit it right when the kitten stops and looks at you and licks you. If the kitten gets annoyingly aggressive, you have to correct that too. Kittens hate to be ignored, so if you put the kitten on the floor and ignore it, it will help her learn what behavior is acceptable. Kittens modify their behavior by degrees, so you will have to continue to reinforce your training. Do not allow her to do it if you don't want her to do it. Second: good question. Very interesting behavior. I can't really give you an explanation. Only suggestion would be diversion. If you know you are going to cry, find a toy or treats she likes and distract her with that while you are upset. You might want to try putting yourself in a situation where you are going to cry (a book,movie, etc) and see if you can't show her that she does not need to be defensive when this sort of things happen

Answer 6

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RE:
Why does my kitten keep biting and clawing me?
I have all kinds of scratch and bite marks on my hand because my kitten keeps clawing me and biting me. Some of them really hurt. He can be very lovey and cuddley and then 10 minutes later he's tearing my hands apart and when I correct him he bites harder and pins his ears back. What's up...

Answer 7

The cat is a hunter, and everything at one point or another becomes prey to them, including your hands. Get a cat dancer (they sell them at pet stores) and give him a workout a couple of times a day. That will calm him down, because he's been able to express his hunter instincts, and he'll bite you far less or not at all.

Answer 8

It's a natural part of the growth process - he's trying out his ability to fight and hunt. All baby animals do this. If he kicks his back feet, it is also a wayto strengthen his legs. He probably thinks it's a game when he puts his ears back. Tap firmly on the nose and say no in a firm voice, and eventually he'll learn it's not acceptable.

Answer 9

oh thats nothing its just playing with u guys just dont play with it back if you dont want it to stop clawing and bitong i know i have 5 kittens and 2 cats

Answer 10

Oh man, cats can be a pain when they're little. Put him in a room and shut the door on him when he gets too obnoxious, he'll come out ready to cuddle, continue placing him in the room when he gets that rowdy. He'll soon learn that you don't want to be around him when he's being this way.