about 4 months ago, I found a 1 wk. old kitten in our back
yard. 4 months later we have a kitten, who for the most part can be very loving. But sometimes he can be a little monster-- biting 'til he draws blood. I'm sure there are reasons for
this-- since he was hand-raised and never had a mom or siblings to teach him that biting hurts and it's not okay...But it's driving me nuts.
I've tried everything I've read about (from playing to squirting to scruffing), but nothing seems to work.
2007-09-03 04:01:52 · 5 answers · asked by Spots^..^B4myeyes 6 in Pets ➔ Cats
Kittens use up their energies on their litter mates, especially around this age, and since YOU are the family now, you're going to get the brunt of the biting and scratching.
Watch to see when the cat is getting too stimulated. When he bites, immediately stop all play and walk away. Any adult cat who's had enough just leaves. The kitten will pick up on the fact his actions caused your reaction so he'll tone it down pretty quickly. No yelling, no scruffing, no bopping on the head. Just stop all contact and walk away and ignore him.
Keep doing this when he bites, and you'll have him be changing his behavior.
But DO give him large enough toys to kick and kill, like beanie baby size furry toys. He needs to play and get rough with something, those should be the substitutes for your hands.
2007-09-03 13:29:46 · answer #1 · answered by hudsongray 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The same thing happened with my daughter's cat who she raised from 1 day old.
The problem, as you have already guessed is that he has not been taught restraint. About the only thing you can do is to stop playing the moment he begins to get rough. He will get the message eventually.
If he's at all like my daughter's cat scruffing, or squirting will just antagonize the situation because then he'll be thinking that you want to play rough.
2007-09-03 04:45:13 · answer #2 · answered by Debi 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you have played rough with the kitten, it is doing the natural thing when biting. Try being VERY gentle, and when he begins to get rough, stop playing. Don't yell or punish him. This would probably make him more defensive and also scared of you. Also do you have kids or anyone else that might be playing too rough, or even being mean to him?
I have 2 cats that I hand raised, bottle fed and all. They are both very gentle and loving. I never allowed anyone to be rough with them. NEVER.
Fighting is a natural defense for animals. Maybe you should ask a vet if this problem persists.
2007-09-03 04:12:23 · answer #3 · answered by the fnho 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
My kitty has this habit too. I've learned that she'll accept petting & play for about 2.22 minutes, then it is scratch & bite.Don't know the psychology, I just watch for the signs, and stop before she gets mean.
2007-09-03 04:12:01 · answer #4 · answered by nanlwart 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
throw it away
2007-09-03 04:09:30 · answer #5 · answered by Pájaro libre 2 · 0⤊ 4⤋