I have a brand new kitten and he LOVES to bite! He even charges at me and my daughter, anyone even. We've tried squirting him with a water bottle, but it seems like nothing helps. Any suggestions??
2007-08-19 09:42:43 · 9 answers · asked by Dianna 1 in Pets ➔ Cats
kittens bite.
its like what they do with their littler mates.
and to them you are their litter mates.
they will grow out of it.
2007-08-19 09:47:21 · answer #1 · answered by horsekrazy74 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is very normal kitten behavior. They spend a good amount of time wrestling and biting with their litter mates, which you don't have available, so he's using you as a substitute. The play is necessary for them to help develop muscles and learn hunting skills.
Make your hands less desireable as chew toys by getting a bottle of that Bitter Apple and put some on your skin. It tastes like banana peel so he won't enjoy it in his mouth. Also give him some loose toys he can burn energy off on, even a stuffed toy his size that you can wiggle at him and have him bite that instead to wrestle with.
There's also ping pong balls that can keep him amused, and anything else he can roll around or pat at. This is their learning time, and will last till they're about 5 months old. After that they usually calm down a lot.
But right now this is completely normal behavior.
2007-08-20 00:56:48 · answer #2 · answered by Elaine M 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Make sure he doesn't bite hard. I have had a nasty cat bite and was they usually get severly infected. If it is playful nipping, and just something you don't like, continue with the water bottle. He could be aggressive if he hasn't been nuetered, or because of the new change in enviroment. Take him to the vet. They often ave good ideas, and can make sure that hes nt doing this due to an illness.
2007-08-19 16:49:59 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
You can get a bunch of cat toys and put them around the house. When he gets ready to charge, redirect his attention to the toy.
If he chews on your hand, try some Bitter Apple - Vicks vap o rub works sometimes as well - on your fingers. He needs some exercise. If you can, make him some ramps with carpeted boards or get him some tall cat trees (or sturdy shelving) so that he can climb and release some of that energy.
He might really enjoy a big stuffed animal that he can pounce on. Better the stuffed toy than you.
2007-08-19 16:52:31 · answer #4 · answered by APHID 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Buy it lots of toys and tell it no when it bites. They will do that as kittens but you don't want to allow it to keep biting as an adult. Not a good habit. They don't take well to scolding either you need to forgive them. They hold grudges. Just simply tell it no and keep re enforcing that.
2007-08-23 14:43:21 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The water bottle thing didn't work with my cat either, she actually liked it. But flicking her on the nose (not really hard, just enough to make her know I meant business) seemed to work when she was a biting and scratching kitten.
2007-08-19 16:47:14 · answer #6 · answered by momofoneson 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
My cat at nine years old still bites and will chase people.. We tried water bottles and everything.. Ou problem was that he is half wild.. we think he has sometype of wild cat in him.. (my moms co-worker didnt realize her cat was in heat and she got pregnant by the local stray) anyways but we scold him for bad behavior and reward for good. he only bites if we egg him on.. especially my sister.
2007-08-19 16:47:46 · answer #7 · answered by ♥ 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Pin him down on his back with your hand (not hard) so he can't bite but he can't move either and keep him there 'til he whines. Do it every time he bites.
2007-08-19 16:48:54 · answer #8 · answered by Del Piero 10 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Oh, that happens to dogs too! Say no strictly and ignore him for 5 min, that is what you do to dogs!
2007-08-19 16:47:34 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋