my cat really is bonkers. she's a ten week old kitten, completely deaf! what can i do?

Question

when she plays she bites and scratches, and i don't know how to get her to stop. i've been 'ignoring' this behaviour as advised on a couple of web sites, but it doesn't seem to be having any effect. also, it means that we don't get very much contact at all; she cannot really be stroked unless she is asleep or dozy, and i'm worried that she'll grow up not really used to being regularly handled. i've noticed as well that, unlike what it says on a lot of sites, she hardly needs any sleep. if i am awake, she's awake, and she'll follow me around all day!

Answer 1

Aww she seems adorable...
My cat was born into a retarded litter... One was retarded (literally) one was blind,one was deaf and the other was normal (mine)... but i think he got all of them in small doses. But what worked for me is... give CONSTANT attention to her. Always touch her, bring people in the house alot and let them touch her. Not to the point where it's becoming overwhelming for the poor kitty. But if she gets use to this behavior as a kitten she will grow up to think of it as normal.
And the reason of why she may be following you around all day, is because she is deaf. And if danger is around she can't hear it (instinct). So she feel secure with you near by. You're her mommy.. Thats probably why she's not sleeping alot, it's scared. If you couldn't hear... would you want to goto sleep alone ? after having 4-7 other kittys for 8 weeks of your life....? I'd say give her constant re-assurance that you are there. Try putting her in a room.. Closing the door, wait 30 secs, and open the door, reassure her by pettiing her, treats...ect.. Then close the door again for abotu 1 min this time... and repeat the treats. Do this every so often during some days. She will realise that nothing bad will happen if you're away.
Animals are alot smarter then we give them credit for being.

Answer 2

This behavior is usually caused from playing a little too agressively with the kitten, like you would with a puppy. You can change it, but it will take some time. When she scratches you while petting her, yell "ouch" (don't shout.) Also, grab her by the scruff of the neck (gently) while firmly saying NO, and set her on the floor and hold her there for 3-4 seconds. The scruffing is what mama cats use to let kittens know they've done something wrong.

Get a toy to allow the kitten to play rough with or burn off energy - a swinging toy she can bat at and chase around. A laser light is a lot of fun too.

You are right in making sure she learns to be handled as well. Kittens need love and handling regularly to make them loving companions when they get older. So take your time and use a mild discipline, and pretty soon it will sink in for her.

Here's a good article about it as well.

http://cats.about.com/od/faqsbehavior/f/scratchbitekit.htm

Answer 3

If you are feeding a high quality food such as Merrick, Wellness, or Innova, there is no distinction between life stages as the food is appropriate for all life stages. If you are feeding low quality food such as Iams, Science Diet, Friskies, Meow Mix, etc. then it will not give the kitten the nutrients it needs to grow and develope, and you will need to get a kitten formulated food, but unfornuately you will have to switch your cats to meals since the adults CAN"T eat the kitten food as it will make them seriosuly overweight. Do your parents know you have a ktiten? If so, they have agreed to take on the expense of adopting this little guy and will need to get it proper food, vaccinations, and a spay/neuter at the proper age. If you can't provide the correct food or take care of the vaccinations and spay/neuter, you will need to find the kitten a new home. EDIT: Do not add water to dry food. The food has bacteria on it, and when it becomes damp, that bacteria breeds rapidly.

Answer 4

I don't think cats can help but scratch when they play, unless they are declawed -- but please don't declaw your kitty! You just need to model during play-time how aggressive the play is allowed to get.

About biting, this is not acceptable and cats CAN help it. But your kitty is still very young and learning what is acceptable play and what isn't. Have patience with her. When she bites, tell her "No." Don't yell it, just firmly state it. And then immediately stop play-time. Your goal is to teach her that the biting is not allowed. But it will take a little bit of time for her to "get it," so just keep at it. The fact that she follows you around a lot means she wants your attention ... so withholding your attention (stopping play-time) when she bites you should hopefully send her a clear message. And make sure you praise her for being a good kitty when she's playing "nice" -- give her lots of attention and talk to her a lot.

It is very normal for tiny little puppies and kitties to not know the rules of play-time and so therefore they bite and scratch and get too excited, which comes out a little like aggressive behavior. Try not to get frustrated and just keep modeling with your own behavior what is appropriate and what is not. You might have to tell her "No" dozens of times or more but eventually it will pay off

Good luck! And congrats on getting a new kitty! .

Answer 5

About the stroking...I would just pick her up and carry her room to room and show her things. Its contact
If your petting her and she grabs your hand, you can stop stroking her and say ouch. Also putting less presure on her. I wouldn't pull back at all because she may think your playing.
I have also gently grabbed the back of my kittens neck like the mother does and told them no. But only gently. I know you said she is deaf but I had a cat that was deaf and they can still feel vibrations.
And she is young ofcourse she will follow you around, she loves you.
And the sleeping or lack of..i wouldnt worry about it. She will soon go into a growth spirt and sleep a lot.

Answer 6

She is just a typical little kitten. She is just trying to play with you, do not take her biting and scratching as aggression, she just doesn't know any better yet. Try to punish her next time she hurts you by playing too rough, a little whack on the butt, or a little spritz from a squirt bottle will let her know that she shouldn't play so rough with you.

Answer 7

You have three options for dealing with this, all of which solve your problems. You can:

1. Have her declawed and have her teeth removed or filed down.

2. Quit cooking meth around the cat and let it get some sleep, or

3. Throw it outside and don't let it in unless it agrees to be nice or becomes so weak from starvation that it isn't strong enough to hurt you anymore.

Answer 8

I truly feel sorry for you!
Why do you say she's bonkers?
I would advice you to research on websites about what to do - go to google. Surely there's advice what to do. Or ask your local vet.