I've had my 5 month old female kitten Bailey since she was 8 weeks old and she has always had quite a little temper on her especially when you try to hold her. She'll swat your face and sink her claws into your nose or try biting your hand. Now that she's getting bigger it really hurts! She's quite the defiant little monster and is already the alpha kitty. I also have a 7 month old female kitten and a 2 year old female cat. Bailey has been given lots of love but she still has such a little temper! Any suggestions to deal with this bad behavior? I've never had a kitten behave this way before. Bailey will let you pet her whenever the other cats aren't in the room.
2007-04-07 17:13:09 · 16 answers · asked by Fierce Lioness 3 in Pets ➔ Cats
Your kitten sounds like a wonderful kitty who will remain active and playful throughout her life. To curb the biting and scratching, I have always found that you need to let them know that you're the alpha cat and that your kitten needs to respect you.
If you're in the middle of holding her, a squirt of water won't work - it will just make her mad and determined to get you again. However, if you hiss and growl at her, she will stop what she's doing and likely cower. You need to become the momma cat and treat her the way mom would. Her mom would put her paw over her while holding her with her teeth and growling. That's cat language.
You can duplicate this by holding your cat against her will when she scratches and growling at her. Then take her to a separate room and say 'bad girl' and close the door. Don't leave her in there for any length of time. 5 minutes is enough time for her timeout. When she comes out, ignore her so that she doesn't think bad behavior equals reward. Repeat to her 'bad girl' and walk away. Cats are very intelligent and catch on fast. She'll understand quickly without hurting her.
On the other hand, when she's not biting and scratching, be sure to give her plenty of positive reinforcement by telling her what a good girl she is and play with her - toss a mouse, etc.
2007-04-07 17:45:19 · answer #1 · answered by Naturescent 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like Bailey has some dominance issues. First of all she needs her claws clipped. This might be a two-person job. Then, pick her up gently wheneve you want to. After all, you're the boss. Hold her firmly. If she bites you can push your finger into her mouth until she gags and then she'll get the hint that biting isn't the thing to do. Make sure you say, "NO BITE". Then if she still acts up you can pick her up in a "momma carry" by the scruff of her neck and tell her "NO" and hold her like that until she calms down. So what we're working on here is discipline. However, you put her down when YOU want to, not when Bailey demands. The problem you're having now will only get worse as Bailey gets bigger and stronger and her teeth and claws get bigger.
While you're holding her, no matter what state she's in, talk gently to her. If she works herself up to a major "hissy", you may have to resort to an occasional use of a cat muzzle. These are made of fabric and fasten with velcro.
Regarding play, do not under any circumstances play with her using your fingers. That's an invitation to get bit. Get a kitty tease or a laser mouse and play with her. This will channel some of her energy into a more acceptable outlet.
Bailey is just learning what the world is about, so we don't want to give her the impression that she runs it.
2007-04-07 18:58:47 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Bailey probably just doesn't like being picked up and is letting you know. She may never change. I have a cat like this who has been the most loving sweetie and will come to me when I gesture for her but if I try to pick her up - no way! So I just give her the respect she wants and don't try to force her. My other cat is completely different and will let me carry her around like a baby anytime.
2007-04-07 17:18:22 · answer #3 · answered by Camperdown T 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sound exactly like my 6 months old kitten. whenever she bites, you must say NO, NO, NO... very firmly.
Have a time out... meaning stop playing at once and walk away.
If she bites tell her NO NO NO ... BAD GIRL....
You must keep saying until she stop biting then she will lick you, then only you say good girl... no biting good girl...
Yes, you hold her mouth and say NO BITING... BAD GIRL...until she stops biting.
Its hard work... but it took me a while now she is good... sometimes she get carried away and start... saying that again and believe me she will stop.
Remember don't sneak behind her, she hates that...
No surprises.....!!!
Do that when you are alone when her...
Water pistol isn't that much good...
Trying putting her in a room and keep telling if she stop don't that she can come out...If she does again put her back again... repeat a few times and she will learn..
Hope this has help you...
Good luck...!!!
2007-04-08 03:08:15 · answer #4 · answered by Kiki 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My cat is still like this too. I got her when she was eight weeks old and she just turned eight years. She would swat at my feet when I tried to fill her bowl and I taught her to sit while holding the food bag. If she became overly agressive I squirted her with water. She still has a hissy fit when I pick her up, but I do so under her chest where she can't wack me back. She still fusses but has given up on scatching me. She thinks she is in charge. Probably just her personality. Hope this helps.
2007-04-07 17:22:17 · answer #5 · answered by ff_freya 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
1. If he is not neutered then have that done right away. It is not normal for a kitten to have a temper tantrum. 2. If he is neutered then have a vet check done. There are certain conditions that cause behavioral changes.
2016-05-19 22:40:45 · answer #6 · answered by margarite 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Maybe even though u give lots of attention with the other cats around she is feeling left out and feels she needs to some how get ur attention and be rebeliouse also she may smell the other cats on u and feel like she is in danger! also that may just be her personality ~ GOOD LUCK~
2007-04-07 17:18:13 · answer #7 · answered by Springsteen 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Clip the tips of her nails for your own sake. In addition to the water-gun technique, you can hiss at her if she misbehaves with you, so she knows you don't like her behavior and you consider it hostile.
Do give her her space when she acts like this, but don't do anything to give her positive reinforcement (like petting, attention, cat nip or toys) when it happens, so she doesn't think your are rewarding this bad behavior.
2007-04-07 17:27:38 · answer #8 · answered by keengrrl76 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My cat is the same frikin way!!
I cant say that I know how to make it go away, but just deal with it.
try to give that cat lots of attention!
they probably want it.
and when she tried to bite or swat, hold her mouth closed.not hard, but hold it. or hold her paws.whatever it takes.
Hope I helped!
2007-04-07 17:20:59 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Some cats simply don't like to be held.
Could she have been abused before you got her?
Have her spayed and that will calm her down A LOT!
2007-04-07 17:19:04 · answer #10 · answered by Alice K 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋