Is my one-year-old cat's biting and scratching linked to catnip?

I can picture your devil kitty!!! She has decided you are her plaything!! You must teach her that you will not play with her that way! While she is learning you have to be very clear what is acceptable and what is not and be very consistent. Cats do not respond well to force - so don't tap her on the nose or swat her. I recommend having lots of fun toys around and using one to entice her to play from afar. If she gets rough with you when you are petting her, immediately redirect her to a toy and then ignore her completely for several minutes or more. She is young and should learn quickly!! Good luck and thanks for using pet coach!

Usually by 1 all of their adult teeth are in. She is maturing so this can lead to behavioral troubles. Make wiser she has toys and activities to prevent boredom. Some cats like scratching pads while others are happy with card board or a large stick for their claws Just make sure you keep enforcing the rules so she understand what is acceptable

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! You are likely describing teething which is basically a normal type of behavior when kittens are growing up and it is secondary to mouth discomfort as teeth are growing. I recommend that you get Callie teething type toys which you can get at your local pet store or online. Anytime that she tries to nibble at you, you say no and give her the toy. This is likely going to resolve the issue. Good luck and have a great day!

Hello, thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. It is possible that he has seizures that are unrelated to the catnip. However, it is also possible that catnip could have an effect on a cat who is already prone to seizures (as an epileptic or has some time of congenital brain defect or injury). While we do not fully understand the effects that catnip has on cats, there has been some recent research that has pinpointed a compound present in catnip called nepetalactone. This component is similar to the opioid molecule (a drug class that includes morphine) and is thought to have a similar effect to that drug group. When a cat ingests this agent, we do see an alternation in behavior and mental status. For most cats this is mild, but in some we do see it progress to stereotypic, repetitive, and abnormal behaviors. Therefore, it is not a big stretch to suspect that this compound's contact with an epileptic brain could lead to the induction of seizures. So, while I don't think catnip would cause seizures on its own in the normal cat, if your cat is an epileptic (undiagnosed) or has suffered a brain injury then it is possible that catnip could cause him to have further seizures. I suggest you stop using catnip in all forms (don't even have it in the house) and then start keeping a written log AND videos of his behavior. If this is happening more than once every week or two he needs to go back to the vet so you can talk about other diagnostic testing or to start him on anti seizure medication. Hope this helps. Best wishes.

It sounds like Cali is exhibiting signs of stress in her home environment. There are many things that you can do to help alleviate stress and help her feel better. I would advise seeing your veterinarian to rule out any medical causes for her behaviour first, and also make sure her environmental needs are being met. Cats need at least one litterbox per cat plus one extra to help reduce stress associated with the litterbox. They should be placed in separate rooms, away from the food and water bowls, must be scooped at least daily (preferably multiple times a day)and washed out at least weekly with a mild soap, followed by thorough rinsing. Cats need a lot of space to explore, but keeping them indoors is much safer than letting them outside, due to the risk of injury from cars, wildlife, other animals, etc. The key is providing space (particularly vertical space for clinimbg, such as cat trees, ledges, and the like) inside the home. Visit http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=T&C=33&S=2 and https://indoorpet.osu.edu// for tips on stress reduction. Also look into Feliway, a synthetic pheromone that is available in a diffuser and spray form that promotes calm feelings in cats http://www.feliway.com.

Kittens are very playful at Jasper's age, and are often either teething or learning about the rules of play with humans. Shouting when he nips is not the way to go as it can cause him to become fearful of you and may increase his bad behavior rather than teaching him better ones. If gets playful and nippy when being petted, offering him a toy to chew on while you pet him can help him aim his energy to the toy rather than your hand. If he becomes too energetic, simply getting up and walking away until he calms down can teach him that being too rough ends the fun. You can also try to tire him out with a toy such as a feather on a string/pole to allow him to play and bite while keeping your fingers safe. Once he is tired, he may be more open to gentle petting.

Hello, sorry to hear about your cat. She is very young still, so managing her scratching and biting will be crucial in this stages of life before she gets bigger and her scratching could become more damaging. Here are some tips you can follow to decrease the incidence of scratching. Hope this helps and best of luck. Why do cats scratch? Scratching is a normal behavior that aids cats in the marking of their territories in the form of scratch marks. Scent glands in their paws leave olfactory clues for other cats to alert them to their presence. Cats also find it pleasurable as a means of exercise and stretching. Scratching also allows cats to keep their claws healthy and shortened. Unlike dogs, a cats’ claws do not exfoliate evenly from the end; rather they peel off in layers like an onion. What is inappropriate scratching? Inappropriate scratching is ultimately determined by the owner, but is generally directed at furniture, screens, carpets and rugs and other items that the cats finds suitable. What can I do to prevent this? The easiest way to prevent severe damage is to trim your cats nails every 2-4 weeks. It is best to begin this process when the cat is very young, as they will become more accustomed to this procedure. However, older cats can learn to tolerate it as well. Another excellent method is to provide them with a suitable scratching substrate. As with nail trimming, this is also best started at an early age before the scratching behavior begins, but older cats will also generally accept such items as carpet or sisal fiber scratching posts or corrugated cardboard. For more options, you can visit your local pet store or make your own from their preferred scratching material and a supporting board of wood. My cat is ignoring the scratching post. How do I get him/her to use it? Place the item in the areas that your cat(s) enjoys scratching. You can entice the cat to use the item by rubbing or sprinkling with catnip. If your cat insists on using the wrong scratching surface, guide your cat to the correct site. Once at the post, you can start petting and scratching your cat while placing their feet on the surface for encouragement and stimulation of the natural kneading motion. Remember to reward your cat for its good behavior!