How do you know whether your cat is playing or trying to hurt you?

Question

I just recently got a kitten, and it's recently been curious and running all over the place, making fights with whatever it comes in contact with.
When I'm with it though, it's calm and subtle... except sometimes it will even try to attack me!
I think it's playful, but how can I tell whether it intends to hurt me, or is just practicing for when It's full grown?

Answer 1

This is normal for kittens. If you have ever watched kittens play with each other, the play is quite rough. Like us and other creatures, what they learn as kittens will help them as adults.

Many times, people take kittens away from their mother and brothers/sisters too early. Most people feel that once they are eating on their own, they are ready to 'go'. But, that's not the best thing for the kitten or for the person adopting them. One of the most important things kittens learn from their siblings is that biting hurts! Kittens left with their fur families until they are 12 weeks old are usually much gentler kittens than those taken away too early.

Since your kitten may have missed this important lesson with it's family, you can give it the idea by doing a few things.

1. Never, ever, use your hands to play rough with the kitten. This encourages biting and it will get worse when it gets older and it's no longer 'cute' when it's an adult. The kitten should learn that hands are for petting, feeding, and loving -- and are not toys.

2. Use toys that are attached to strings or wires (interactive toys) to play with the kitten. The kitten will be learning what it can bite and play rough with and at the same time will be playing with and bonding with you. Also provide toys that it can play with by itself like balls and furry mice. (It may be a good idea to put the interactive toys out of the kittens sight and reach when you are not playing with it - some kitties eat string and get in serious trouble)

3. You should never punish your kitten but a stern 'No' is fine. If it insists on attacking your ankles or biting you, give it some 'time out' in a room (make sure it has a litter box!) and give it no attention for a short while. It may take a few times but it will figure out that rough play is not acceptable to you.

Good luck -- enjoy your furry friend. They can sure bring a lot of joy into your life. I know as I have six great cats.

Answer 2

First of all, do NOT play rough with a kitten. If you do, this is what your kitten is going to get used to, and yes---it's cute when they're tiny--it ISN'T cute as the get larger. You can easily tell if your kitty is playing or getting mean and attacking by watching body language. If he lays his ears flat-back against his head, and seems to be staring you down as he does this, get out of the way---you're going to get attacked! An angry cat will also swish the tip of his tail rapidly back and forth.

Now, you did not say how old this kitten is, but, call your vet and ask what they recommend as far as age goes on having him neutered--usually 4 months is good. It sounds like this is going to be a Little "spit-fire", but a lot of this attacking business will stop by simply having him neutered as soon as your vet recommends.

Answer 3

That's all kitten play. Some gets sort of rough, you'll end up with scratches on your arms (they can't control their claws well till they get older) so don't encourage them to bite and grab your hands or fingers---use toys instead.

They'll be high energy for months like this. Help it to run off all the excess and to practice hunting skills on stuffed toys (small ones the size of chipmunks) and with things tossed like ping pong balls and paper balls.

Kittens don't attack unless they're panicked, and even then they try to run if they can. What you're seeing is all play.

Answer 4

A good sign to tell things by is their ears. If he would intend to hurt you, you'd probably be very scratched up and bleeding. Most of the times it's just being playful but also watching out for hissing and hard bites.

Answer 5

Kittens at play can be quite rough. Keep handling her as much as possible to get her used to human contact and the super rough play should taper off. Tell her no firmly if she is biting too hard or scratching. I've found that if I turn my back and walk away after saying no when it gets rough teaches them quickly that it is not appropriate-after all, she does want to play with you and getting ignored is what her mother would do. If she chases you or tackles your ankles, then I would pick her up, say no firmly, and put her down away from you. Rinse, repeat. :)

Answer 6

Kittens are naturally playfull, they are curious, and pounce on anything and everything, chase bugs and flys and of course you are the best play toy in the world because you can interact.
The world was made for "kittens" so they think, nothing is safe, toes, fingers strings etc....relax, as kitty ages kitty will become more mature.

Answer 7

Trust me you will know :) If ears are back his hisssing then he is not playing :) Kittens are full of energy, like to play "attack" bite and scratch :)... If kitten runs away and doesn't want to be held or doesn;t want you to pet him just leave him alone and it'll all work out fine

Answer 8

As a cat owner over time you can recognize the bite....there is a playful bite and then a bite meant to hurt....

Answer 9

Usually cats draw in their nails if they are just playing so if they don't it is meant to hurt

Answer 10

well it mostly depends on wat ur doing before it attacks u.like if u maybe picked it up and it attcks u that means that its attacking u cause it doesnt want to be picked up.or if the kitten is exciting and starts to attck u that means its playing with u