I'm pretty sure he's just playing around, but sometimes it gets painful and he won't stop biting on my fingers and clawing at my arms. How can I tell when he's just being playful?
2007-05-30 13:31:27 · 21 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Cats
Just like any 'child' kittens must be given guidelines to follow. What now is cute will be destructive if allowed to continue into adulthood. When you're playing with the kitten he needs to understand that you are not one of his toys. When he starts biting and scratching you, say NO firmly and move him away from you and give him a toy to bite on., they go nuts over cat nip mice. You can also grow cat-nip....they love it. It's funny to watch, they act like they're high on something! Cats are born with the 'tracking prey' instinct, so any toy that you can maneuver and let him pounce on he'll love. When he catches whatever you use he'll probably grab it with all four feet and tumble and jump at it....hilarious!! Cats like to scratch, that's just part of being a cat. But they must understand they aren't to scratch you or your furniture. Invest in one of those cat scratch posts that pet stores sell. When he scratches you or your curtains or sofa again, tell him NO then take him to the scratching post and make the scratching motion with his front paws. He'll catch on. If you don't stop bad behavior while he's young you'll never be able to handle him. I've had cats all my life....I love them!
2007-05-30 14:04:18 · answer #1 · answered by Grammy Jo 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Unless he starts hissing or something he is most likely being playful. It's just what kittens do. Get him some new toys and a scratching post that way he will bite and claw the toys instead of your fingers.
2007-05-30 21:03:43 · answer #2 · answered by Kara B 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm quite sure he's just playful. Quickly give him a little plastic toy or ice cream stick to bite on, each time he tries biting you or anything else. This would train him off biting. Same with the scratching, buy him a scratch post as soon as you can. I have a kitten for the last 4 months, managed to train her this way and she's very intelligent and oh so ...... adorable now
2007-05-30 20:36:38 · answer #3 · answered by PikC 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
when playing gets too rough you should let out a loud OOWW. take the kitten off you and place them away from you and ignore it for 15 to 20 minutes. if it tries climbing back on you or tries to play again during that time move the cat away again and turn your back to it. when time is up resume your playing. if it gets too rough again just repeat it. keep doing this, and if it doesnt stop, or continues as the kitten gets older then make the "time out" longer
2007-05-30 20:39:08 · answer #4 · answered by g g 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He is being playful, however I don't recommend letting him play with your hands, as he gets older it will only get more playful. Whenever your cat attacks your hand tell him no and immediately stop playing with him. This will teach him what is appropriate behavior for playtime.
2007-05-30 21:29:20 · answer #5 · answered by Vic 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ohhh yes, he is just being playful... My mom just got a kitten, and all he does is attack our hands, arms, and feet. He apparently thinks it is funny. He does the same with ribbon, etc. Just squirt him with some water when he does it, and try and stop it.
2007-05-30 20:35:06 · answer #6 · answered by *-whitz-* 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well since he is a kitten, he's playing. I have a ten year old cat. One time she bit my son's arm because my son pulled on her tail too hard. She didn't break the skin and was just telling my son that she didn't like it.
2007-05-30 20:49:57 · answer #7 · answered by Scandguard 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Both. Cats tend to have something of a mean streak in them. When they get overly excited, it can come out and they start being mean. So when it happens, just stop playing with them. They will (hopefully) get the message.
2007-05-30 20:40:16 · answer #8 · answered by trancejeremy 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Cats don't claw and bite you to be mean. Its one of their ways to tell you they like you. Try hissing loudly or stamping when he/she does this if it gets too painful that eventually should teach it that you don't like extreme biting.
2007-05-30 20:34:45 · answer #9 · answered by Miles 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you cant tell.its a kitten and it is just needing to claw at something because he has his claws and they are forming and he needs to bite like that is because his teeth are starting to grow in.go and buy a scratch post
2007-05-31 23:01:35 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋