new cat or kitten advice (merged)

sharon_currie

Thanks for that Spookylukey, I will try this technique as I must admit I would worry about making her frightened as when she gets too rough I do shout out because I get such a fright, especially when she pounces out at me. I don`t mean to shout (not at her) but when she pounces or starts to bite me it`s just a natural instinct. I`m going to get a rubber toy for her to chew on, just in case it is her teeth that is bothering her.

Any tips about how to stop her pouncing on the other cat because if I could stop her doing this then the other cat would be less frightened or do you think she will eventually grow out of it?

I did wonder about her being taken from her mum at 6 wks as I did read somewhere on this site that kittens should never be taken from their mum until at least 8 wks old but by then I'd already had her for 2 wks. And just to let you know that as I type this post, she has been biting me and I blew in her face and I see what you mean, it certainly stopped her in her tracks so thankyou for that tip.

ailuro2

She will settle down but it will be a few months yet!

Never ever use your hands as a toy is the b est advice I could give. Then she will see it as a toy forever.;) Our cat's favourite toy was a spider made from tightly knotted string- the cotton stuff, not nylon string. Sprayed with a little catnip it encourages them to play with it. Lemon scented 'pet behave' spray was also required for the sofa corners, she tried to use them as a scratching post, but soon went off that idea after we sprayed them.

isualive

Kittens love to nibble! Don't worry too much, they grow out of it?

SallyUK

Hi Sharon

My two never did anything like that either - although I fully expected it to happen, having had kittens before! I was quite surprised actually that they didn't do any of those things, they're just little babies and that's what I expect kittens to do! lol

I hope some of the tips you've been given do help.

Sally
xxx

Jo6673

spookylukey wrote: »

A good way to stop her biting without making her frightened of you is to blow in her face (quite hard) when she does it. She will be startled and stop what she's doing ie biting but at the same time she won't associate anything bad with you. Keep doing it every time she bites and she'll soon learn.

This worked on my two kittens when they got a bit over excited play fighting with me. If they got carried away with their claws I squeezed their paws gently so their claws retracted and repeated the word 'gentle'. They now play fight without using their claws, if they start to get over excited I say 'gentle' and the claws go in, they also 'mouth' me rather than bite me

I use this when our kitten goes for the hamster cage:eek:
I also have a mist spray nearby and he gets a squirt now and then- one is enough- if he see's it coming his way again, he squints and backs off:p

Also, you need to know to read when its play time and cosy up time- putting my hand near the kitten at each time have very different effects and one of them hurts!

sharon_currie

Thanks to everyone for the advice, its very much appreciated. I didn't expect a little baby could be so vicious LOL, especially as my other cats never did this but just goes to show how different cats can be.

I took the older cat into my bedroom to sleep last night so the kitten had the run of the kitchen, hall and spare room over night (she normally sleeps in the kitchen) and she`s seems abit calmer today - I`ve not been bitten yet anyway so maybe that has helped. I`ve noticed that she has taken to going into the other cats bed to sleep, she doesn`t seem to like her own bed which is far more superior to the other cat`s one - she`s a law to herself LOL. She`s gorgeous but she`s got mischief written across her face.

thecatsmeow

I think Spookylukey has given you spot on advice - I used the 'blowing method' on my cat when she was a kitten - her teeth were like needles!! OK - so now she's not keen on wind - but I've still got skin on my hands!!!

zoebeth

Some cats have a stronger hunting instinct than others and they'll attack anyone or anything. I agree with the toy thing, mine loves to play with and attack anything on a string or cord.

Although I think I got off lightly compared to my sis who was standing naked in the bathroom brushing her teeth when her cat took a running jump and clawed her from the bum downwards :eek: not clever!!

Failing all else try a water pistol, (not a super-soaker 5000) it penetrates the fur and they hate it on their skin.


.....and no I am not a Walton...

pleiades_2

Hi this is my first post but feel i must help out with your kitten problem.

My kitten was manic when he was little and especially used to love attacking my feet in bed! there's no need to worry, it's perfectly normal - it's just them playing and learning how to attackfor the future.

blowing in their face is definately a good one and something that worked for me is getting an empty bottle of window cleaner or something, filling it with water, and spraying it in their face.

every time they bite your hands just pick them up by the scruff of the neck and put them on the floor. the kitten will grow out of this behaviour anyway...

sharon_currie

Hi to you all. Well here`s an update on the biting situation. I`ve blew in Mya`s face when she has started biting and I can now see her thinking twice about doing it again after I`ve blew in her face the first time which is brilliant news for my hands and arms. She doesn't seem to be pouncing at my feet very often either. What a difference in her behaviour the last couple of days! I`ll try the water spray next if she stars playing up, seems abit cruel LOL but abit of water never hurts anyone.
Thanks to you all for the posts, I'm very grateful.