How do I get a 5 month old kitten to stop bitting! My arms and legs look horrible with all the scratches!?

Question

She is clawing and bitting too much. I know she is a kitten but this has to stop! PLEASE HELP ME!

Answer 1

Wow... a lot of people seem to be having this problem right now.
The solution is relatively simple.
As soon as your kitten bites or scratches you, put it down from your lap or away, and ignore it completely.
This is exactly what it's litter mates would do; stop playing with it because the game is not fun anymore.
When playing with it, never use your hands as "prey" but always use a toy- even for luring it to you, do not ever use your moving fingers.
By applying these simple things, the kitten should understand quickly that biting means: no play, no cuddles, (and those are what a kitten loves best of all) and that hands are not to play with.
Don't (ever) punish physically, that will only scare it- it's still very young and easily impressed.

I'm just here to help, so I hope the original questioner doesn't mind........These should be useful for every new cat owner though.
To the answerer - became questioner below (ha, I should take this trick from you, no points lost :))
Your cat has developed a habit already. The signal you give off might have to be a little stronger. It does sound like play though, not agression, it's just that your cat doesn't know where the boundaries are. Was it separated from it's mom and siblings (too) young?
First I would like to suggest that you create a set playtime.
So, let's say, make it playtime after you wake up and right before you go to bed. Make it so that the cat counts on it. Play for half an hour or so, exclusively with toys (toys on a stick, whether feathers, fur balls or fabric "snakes", or toys you can throw are ideal to avoid her from targeting you), get all the tension out. If she becomes physical with you, stop and ignore. Don't play until next scheduled playtime again.
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This ignore policy could take some time for her to understand, or she might just not care.
If she doesn't get it after a couple of weeks, instead of ignoring her, try putting her in a seperate room for a little while (10 minutes or so will do I think) for time out. After those 10 mins. or so, let her out but don't make contact while you're doing it, and playtime is over until the next session.
The above has worked with cats I know, my own have never bitten anyone (not even a "lovebite" i'm afraid) but I'm not a behavioral therapist- I just care about keeping my own cats happy and social and want to help.
If the problem persists, just give somebody that is a call- there might be other solutions I don't know of.
They will all tell you not to spray water or use your hands or voice while "disciplining" though.
Good luck to you too.

Answer 2

Ok, I need help too. My cat is 8 months old and still does this. I don't want to hurt her because she will not understand why I am doing it. I have bite marks all over my legs and arms too. Whenever I kiss her she bites me HARD on the face. (guess she does not like it). When I walk down the hall, she attacks my legs and bites them. I have bite marks and even a bruise where she was playing really rough. I could never hurt her though. I say no and walk away. I am even in The ASPCA...Amercian Society for the Prevention againist Cruelty to animals. I always joke that there should be an organization where humans are abused by their animals. HA HA

Oh and my kitty has TONS of TOYS

Answer 3

Did you find the kitten and adopt it as a stray? Ferile cats, or ones that have been on the street for a while do that a lot. I had one. I toss him into the bathroom for 5-10 minutes until he's had time to cool off. Neutering him should help some. If you don't mind carrying around a spray bottle, they really don't like that. Distract him--grab a string, a pillow, anything and start playing with it. If you're lucky he'll transfer his attacking to the toy or string. TX Mom

Answer 4

The answer to this is You dont. Unfortunately she is a baby and doesn't understand that it hurts her mummy when she scratches her. Try buying her some cheap toys, like small balls, bits of string, things that she can attack instead of you.
Remember she is still only a baby and she must love you very much if she wants to be near to you all the time.
Believe me, my legs look like a pin cushion, my kittens (I breed Siamese) climb all over me and cut their teeth on my fingers. You do get used to it but its not nice I know.
Good Luck, but you are doing great your baby must live you vey much.

Answer 5

Aww, I went through that stage many times! Its not fun!

What I advise you to do, is every time your cat bites or scratches you give him a soft flick on the nose along with a light "hiss"

You may want to consider beginning to clip his/her nails

and you could also get him/her a few toys to play with and attack... instead of you!

Good luck!

Answer 6

She wants to play. Kittens are very playful.

Answer 7

Try this site I think it will help you.

http://www.perfectpaws.com/handle.html

Answer 8

yikes..all you have to do is disclipined your kitten! smack its head, not too hard showing it that u dont want to get bite!