Please help me!!?

Question

I have a 9 week old kitten and he keeps biting and biting at my arms and ankles. I know that it is my fault because before we had any toys for him we used our fingers and toes but now he just won't stop!! I try to bat his nose, distract him or give him a firm "no!" and he just is zeroed in on me. I do own other toys but nothing seems to work. I will try a spray bottle but only as a last resort. I do have another kitten on the way but I don't get him until the first week of July because he tested positive for feline leukemia, don't worry he will test negative because both of his parents are negative. PLEASE HELP!!!!!!!!!!

Answer 1

Your kitten is very young, and is still learning his socialisation skills. When you played with him using your hands as toys, he probably thought that you enjoyed it as much as he did. Sometimes, they just don't realise how much biting can hurt. Make sure you play games with toys attached to the end of wand sticks. That way he can be as rough as he likes with them, and you won't get injured. The next time he bites you, gently scruff the back of his neck and tell him "no", if he doesn't stop immediately, then move him aside and walk away. It's how his mother would treat him, and he will quickly learn that biting isn't acceptable behaviour.

Like yourself, I have never used a spray bottle on any of my cats, for the reasons mentioned in the article below.

http://www.littlebigcat.com/index.php?action=library&act=show&item=squirtbottlespunishmentandcatbehavior1

In my experience, positive reinforcement always works best with cats, lots of praise and treats when they do something good. They are very quick to adopt behaviour that is to their advantage.

The fact that you are due to get another kitten in a couple of weeks is perfect. Young kittens have a lot of energy to burn off and having a feline companion gives them someone to play with. Most kittens are practicing their hunting skills, which is why they tend to get a bit rough. Having another cat to play with, they quicky learn first hand, just how much biting and scratching hurts. This solution worked for me when I adopted a second kitten as a friend for my feisty female.

They will of course, both calm down with age and having them neutered will help

Be patient and good luck.

Answer 2

Use a squirt bottle with plain water in it to discourage your cat from negative behavior. Squirt them right in the face. It is harmless and it is a fantastic teaching method. I don't know why you said that you would only use a spray bottle as a last resort. It is the best way to modify behavior in a safe way.

Answer 3

well maybe that not the reason why the cat is biten you . sometimes there are other reason why cats bite their owners such theyre asking for something like food or wanna just play .cause osmetimes my cat does that too but not hard cause he doesnt have any teeth cause hes year old male cat . you can get him cat toy that has light in a ball that you can get from the pet store. that help the cats to use thier teeth on instead biten on youre poor body .or you can take him a trainning class that there is perosn who help the owners with their cats problem they teach youre cat to not bite anymore.

Answer 4

He'll outgrow it in time. Keep telling him 'No!' and bopping him on the head and he'll get the idea. That's what I had to do with a litter of kittens I helped their momma raise.

Answer 5

kittens do that just wait and soon he will stop if not then go to the vet and ask them what can help the kitten to stop

Answer 6

teething his teeth are growing in and he needs something to chew on but start showing him toys to bite not toes

Answer 7

get another cat...throw that one away