Ok so my kitten is now about 2 months old and she is biting a whole lot and I don't know what to do to stop it.....I need help I tried a teething ring, a bunch of toys, and treats. It just doesn't seem to do the trick....someone please help!
Thanks
2007-06-14 13:54:17 · 5 answers · asked by Music 1 in Pets ➔ Cats
She is still a little young yet for effective training. Littermates usually train one another about the biting issue and since you are her only playmate you will bear the brunt of it.
Never play with her with your hands - always use a cat dancer or feather toy. When she does use her mouth on you hiss gently in her face and put her away from you (go off to do something else). It will take her a while to make the connection and curtail her behavior and being consistent with this "discipline" will pay off in time.
2007-06-14 14:06:59 · answer #1 · answered by old cat lady 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
All good answers so far. I have had cats for a long time and often take in abandoned kittens to raise and re-home. They learn NOT to bite from their litter mates... They realize it hurts and stop over time. No litter mates = lack of education for kitty! You are the litter mate now. That does not mean you can bite her though! (I know someone that tried that...) Cats are very sensitive... If she bites you, say "ouch" and walk away and ignore her for a while. This will hurt her feelings and she will eventually connect the activity. Saying ouch is important too... Because after biting comes scratching! I have a kitten doing this now. We got through biting and moved to scratching me everytime I get up and move across the house. When she does it, I hold her paws and say "ouch" and walk away. When ever I say ouch, she looks at the ground as if to say she is sorry. It is cute and she is learning. Just be patient. Don't yell or "attack"(hit) you kitten or it will just exacerbate the problem. Use one of those fun toys on the end of a stick. Let kitty attack that instead of you! It is fun for kitty and you... trust me. I have an old cat that still gets excited at the mere sight of a feather on a stick!
2007-06-14 15:48:04 · answer #2 · answered by Michael D 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's a phase. At this age she is practicing the hunting and killing prey skills she would need if she lived in the wild -- it's instinctive.
I think the best approach is to just walk away and ignore the kitten when she starts getting rough. Never let her get the idea that it's okay to bite or attack your hands. But don't punish her. Cats don't understand and just think you are attacking them and they have to defend themselves -- it reinforces bad behavior rather than discouraging it.
I don't think the squirt bottle is a good idea. The cat usually doesn't connect biting you with getting wet. But if you just stop interacting with her and leave her alone, she will make the connection.
You might consider getting another kitten to give her a playmate. It is usually easier to have two kittens than just one because they will use all that energy and stalk-pounce-attack instinct on each other instead of you and your furniture.
2007-06-14 14:04:42 · answer #3 · answered by Kayty 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
hmm sounds like shes teething, becarefull they tend to enjoy chewing on cords and wires at this stage, they enjoy chewing on cords off pants and also love the feel of the cord from an ipod earfones so mayb find somthing she can chew on while ur with her monitor the chewing i find ice cream sticks do the trick, these are safe becasue the usally cant chew threw them and swallow them so watch her while shes chewing and tell her no if she begins chewing unsafe things
2007-06-14 14:06:21 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's normal, and she'll grow out of it. Have some patience - this will pass in a few months.
2007-06-14 13:57:49 · answer #5 · answered by Ralfcoder 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋