How do i get my kittens to stop pouncing on me when i sleep?

Question

I got two 8 week old kittens about a week ago, and when i sleep with them, they always jump on my bed and watch for my foot to move and pounce on it. they are jumping from my feet, to my head, to my hands... its adorable right now, but i don't want them to continue this habit as adults as i would never get any sleep and i would always be afraid of getting attacked. Right now, when they are in this playful mood, i hide under my covers for about an hour or so until they calm down... then cuddle on top of me and sleep. I would like to discourage this behavior so they dont associate my body with playing, but i also want them to sleep on my bed. Should i be worried about this, or will they grow out of it? also i would like to find a way to fix it gently so they don't get afraid of me or anything... should i do anything, and if so, what should i do?

Answer 1

At eight weeks old, kittens are extremely playful and will pounce on nearly anything that moves. You can try to distract them with a toy (tossing a ping-pong ball into the air would work), but make sure not to move when they do pounce on you -- you don't want to make their new game even more fun for them! Eventually they will get bored and look for other activities. Also keep in mind that their sleeping hours might not match up with yours.

While every cat that I have had eventually outgrew the "pounce on the feet under the bedcovers" stage, you are right to worry about them associating your with a toy -- be careful not to play with them by wiggling your fingers/toes around because that can easily turn into a lifetime habit; use a toy instead. Otherwise, you should be fine! :-)

Answer 2

They will grow out of it. Right now, in the kitten stage, they will pounce anything. They won't continue to associate your body with a toy, unless you prevoke them, like with your hands, etc. They don't see your actual skin while it's covered, they really don't know what they are pouncing. As the old saying goes, curosity killed the cat. Once they get out of the nocturnal kitty stage, they will calm down. Sounds like you're on the right track if you are trying to calm them. They will soon learn your sleeping pattern and get adjusted.

Answer 3

Kittens that age are unstoppable. Yes, it is a phase. Expect wildness for the next four months at least. If you don't like it, you will have to shut them out of the room at night until they grow out of this stage. But you need to be consistent about it. That means that door is shut every night or open every night, not switching back and forth. Otherwise they will keep you up all night trying to get in. Have fun. Enjoy the party while it lasts.

Answer 4

So funny! I have multiple kittens doing it all the time. You really have to wait til they grow out of it. It's a kitten thing, don't worry about them having it as a habit as adults...they chill out as they get older! Right now everything that moves is a toy, and if it's under a sheet, and it moves, and they don't know what it is, it's a really cool toy (in their eyes)....get yourself some disinfectant & bandaids or lock them out of the bedroom til they get older. I do yell ouch when I get a bit etc, but I don't think they figure out that what they just pounced on was part of me!

Answer 5

They usually dont do it when they get older. You have to keep in mind that a cat is a hunter that is a hunting technique to pouce on its prey when it moves. If you are affraid of getting attacked while sleeping then you can always make them up a bed in another room so that they wont attack you at night. But in the long run they will grow out of it all of mine did that and it is normal.

Answer 6

I have 4 cats of my own and they did exactly what you are having problems with. But don't worry they will grow out of it especially after they are fixed. They still will occasionally chase your hands or your feet at night but just push them off. They will come back in a bit and lay down. One of my cats actually crawls under the covers with me were it is warm and sleep by my feet. It's fun! Enjoy it like they are your kids, and then they grow up and are gone.

Answer 7

I have two cats, and they did the exact same thing as yours did. There is good news and bad news; the bad news is that, short of shutting them out of your room (which I had to do at one point), there's nothing you can really do to stop this behavior. The good news is that this behavior typically stops once they get a little older. Some kittens just seem to be hyper by nature, but they mellow out in a few months. Hope that helps!

Answer 8

Lock them up at night or put them in a different room when you sleep. The more passive approach would be to let them know that what they are doing is bad and it must stop or they will not get a treat. (For a period of time feed them a cat treat when they don't pounce on you at night.)

Answer 9

she's just young with too much energy and wants to play! I suggest getting her up early and playing with her during the day to wear her out. Try and play with her at similar times of the day every day so she learns a pattern. When it comes to bed time encourage her to get into her bed, then go o your bed. If she starts trying to play, just ingnore he completley, do not even acknowledge she is thre. She most likely wants your attention and if you don't give it to her she'll stop. If this doesn't work, then simply get up, pick her up and shut her outside your bedroom-either for the whole night or until she's calmed down. It may seem cruel but like you said, she has to learn. Just never submit and play with her when you're asleep, or at ay time that doesn't suit you. she must learn you are boss and she plays around what suits you, you don't change your schedule to work around her. Good luck! :)

Answer 10

they should grow out of it for the most part. really, if you don't want them to try to play with you while you are sleeping, then you will have to keep them out while you are doing so. however, now is the time to train them to sleep with you and where to sleep, etc. they will develop habits that they will have for life... except for the playing all the time part-- which is good and bad!