How to you stop bad behavior in a kitten?

Question

Especially when she attacks your leg/arms/ponytail with her claws/teeth. She is all purrs when you step in the room and lets you hold/pet her, but sometimes she just snaps, and it is rather frightening. Especially when I imagine her doing this as an adult.

Also, we are in the process of introducing her to another slightly older kitten we got first. We seem to be at a standstill these past couple of days. The little kitten is an aggressive player, and I think the older one doesn't know quite what to make of it. They get into batting matches through the door. No claws out, just "playing footsie". We have not left them alone yet, only very supervised meeting sessions, which have just been with a cracked door. The kitten slipped out once and their body language was OK so we waited to see what happened. It was fine except the younger one seemed like it was jumping at the other one too much, and the older one didn't like that and let out a little hiss, separated them ASAP. Any suggestions?

Answer 1

Keep a spray bottle of water handy and anytime she does something she shouldn't spray her with the water. My kitten use to climb my drapes but after I sprayed her once or twice, she stopped. As far as the two cats being together, I think the older one told the younger one that he has had enough with the hiss. They need to detemine their boundaries and will soon find them, but you have to let them do it. When I introduced my two cats for the first time, there was a lot of hissing and spitting, but they soon become very good buds in a matter of hours. Kittens are much more adaptable to meeting new playmates then older cats are. Let them explore each other and they will soon become friends.

Answer 2

I wouldn't worry so much about the two kittens getting along; the older one handled the younger one just fine. I'd be totally astounded if there were any serious injuries; though there will be some theatrics. You have to let them develop their own relationship, the sooner the better.
Kittens often scratch and bite in play, and it may be aggressive play, and it's worse for humans because we have no fur. If this happens, hiss loudly or even scream, and walk away. When the kitten finds out that this behavior stops the fun, it will stop doing it.
Now, be prepared the next time. Be sure not to use your hands as toys. Use other objects for your cat to bat and chase. Keep a spray bottle with water handy, so you can squirt the kitten when it starts to do something you don't like. If you see the kitten even starting to get a little rough with you, back off and stop playing, and/or squirt.
Don't try to push the cat away or swat it or anything like that; they will think you are playing. Hissing (or yelping) and squirting will let the kitty know you don't like it.
Good luck.

Answer 3

I have a 6-7 week old kitten and have noticed the EXACT same behavior. I called the vet and researched a bit and found that during this time kittens are teething. They like to chew/bite and sometimes don't eat as much. Coupled with the pain from teething is the playfulness of kittens, these two are incredibly annoying! :]

I have gotten my kitten more toys to chew on as well as tried to massage his gums while he is calm. I personally do not use a squirt bottle because 1] it's mean and 2] I don't want him to think that water = punishment (good luck giving him a bath then). I firmly tell him no and move him away from me. Then during times when he is calm I shower him with affection.

With the other cat it's normal for it to take some time getting used to one another. I would slowly start to let them spend time in one area together and just make sure that any hissing/fighting does not take place.

Answer 4

You should get a squirt bottle and when she is being bad squirt her. I always have trouble when I get a new kitten my 2 older cats always hiss at the new kitten but then I heard that the older cat was telling the kitten who's boss. So when I get a kitte I leave them away from the cats for a few days with short visits with all the cats in the room.

Answer 5

He is a kitten and he is only playing. He will calm down as he gets older. He was playing with your other kitten. You said they didn't have there claws out. This is how they play. Good Luck with the 2 of them and have FUN with them.

Answer 6

This is gonna sound mean but it works and the experts say it's the best way. You get a spray bottle with water and when they are doing something bad you should squirt them but make sure they don't see you. They should get it that what they are doing is not good.

Answer 7

First of all it's not bad behavior, it's kitten behavior. Say "no" in a stern voice and pick her up and set her down. It's the hunt and play game that she is practicing, Very normal.

Answer 8

I even have 2 youthful kittens myself and while they start omit behaving I also have a twig bottle waiting! you in basic terms could squirt him or her some the place on their physique and say NO! by no potential squirt him or her interior the face. proceed doing this while they omit behave and finally he or she can get the message that scratching furnature,human beings and so on. is a no-no

Answer 9

Its in a cats natural instinct to be wild just like a lion. But what is really helpful is to give her her space. When you enter her space such as her tail or sertain spots she don't like just try to leave it alone. But when she comes in your turf you do the same but let her know she's welcome than she will do the same and welcome you in her space. Please rate my answer

Answer 10

This is very good reading on the subject:

http://perfectpaws.com/handle.html
http://absolutelycats.tripod.com/22Bringing.html
http://www.vetontheweb.co.uk/pet-clinic-detail.asp?id=471