Help! My 2-month-old kitten is hyperactive and bites. What to do?

I don't have a simple answer for you, but since Kumo is so active, I think the key will be to tire him out more, so he is not as frantic in his play interactions. First, I would work on environmental enrichment for Kumo. This website has a number of good ideas for that. https://indoorpet.osu.edu/cats One of my favorite things for cats is a no bowl feeding system like Doc & Phoebe ( https://docandphoebe.com/ ) that requires them to "hunt" for their food. You could also try a feeding ball. The goals with having Kumo have to "hunt" for his food is that he will use more energy doing that than just eating out of a bowl. I also recommend using laser pointers and interactive cat toys like a Cat Dancer ( http://www.catdancer.com/ ) to get cats to play with you more appropriately. That will hopefully give them a way to play with you that does not involve biting and scratching you or your family. Good luck! I hope that was helpful and gives you some ideas. Thanks for using PetCoach.

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! The opening or kneading of the claws when happy or being pet is normal in cats. It DOES hurt if their claws are on your leg. Keep the nails short. You probably are not going to be able to teach him not to do something that is instinctual. If he starts to bite you then stop petting him and watch for clues from him that he has had enough petting: ears turning back, turning to look at your hand, tail flicking and stop touching him before he goes to bite. Try not to yell no at him if that triggers biting. Kittens are full of energy and they grow out of it eventually. Provide lots of toys and play time. Soon enough he will be a sleepy adult cat and you'll miss the hyper kitten! Have a good day!

I see that Missy is 2 months old now. The activities that Missy is doing sound normal, but their teeth and nails are certainly sharp at that age. First, I would make sure to learn how to trim her nails and keep them short. I normally recommend trimming kittens' nails weekly because they grow so quickly. That will help quite a bit. Next, I would work on environmental enrichment for her to keep her mentally and physically busy. This website has a number of good ideas for that. https://indoorpet.osu.edu/cats One of my favorite things for cats is a no bowl feeding system like Doc & Phoebe ( https://docandphoebe.com/ ) that requires them to "hunt" for their food. You could also try a feeding ball. I also recommend using laser pointers and interactive cat toys like a Cat Dancer ( http://www.catdancer.com/ ) to get cats to play with you more appropriately. They key is to teach Missy new ways of playing with you that get her energy out, but do not hurt you! Good luck! I hope that was helpful and gives you some ideas. Thanks for using PetCoach.

In reality, unless what you are describing is truly a vicious attack (obviously I am not there to see it), a young cat exhibiting this kind of behavior is simply trying to play. When Abigail attempts to engage in this type of activity, you have a couple of different choices on how to address it. You can simply get up and walk away completely disengaging from the activity. Do not try to punish or reprimand as this sort of training method simply doesn't work at all in cats. The other thing you can try is instead of walking away, you can try to play with your cat in another way. Use toys, strings, balls, whatever makes Abigail the happiest. Hopefully this takes her mind off of your arms and feet and on the item you are wielding. If you truly feel there is an actual behavior problem that is continuing as she gets older, this would be something to address with positive reinforcement training and/or assistance of a professional. Hope this helps.

Moon is adorable! I would make sure Moon has enough toys and enough play time. Kittens need to get their energy out. I would make sure that you do not play with him with your hands. Always make sure it is a toy. Here are a few different toy options. The interactive laser is a great option. https://www.chewy.com/bergan-turbo-scratcher-cat-toy-color/dp/49192 https://www.chewy.com/catit-design-senses-circuit-cat-toy/dp/49908 https://www.chewy.com/petsafe-bolt-interactive-laser-pet/dp/55754 The meowing can be normal for kittens. Thank you for using PetCoach.

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!

Aggression is usually associated with negative behaviors such as hissing, growling, swatting, etc. What you are describing sounds more like normal kitten playfulness, if Bella is just pouncing, nipping, or hopping around. Keeping her out of your room if she is too excitable can help keep her form hopping on you when you are trying to sleep. A pheromone diffuser such as Comfort Zone can also help her to relax and settle down some. Making sure she has plenty of toys to play with, including things you can safely play with together such as a feather on a stick or a laser pointer can help get out some of that energy without having her bite you or scratch your hands. If she becomes too excited, getting up and walking away/ignoring her until she has calmed down again can help teach her that the fun ends when she gets too excited. If she is calm and quiet, rewarding her with a treat, a play session or some attention can help teach her that's the behavior you like. If she is actually showing aggression, IE biting hard, hissing, ears pinned, low growling, swatting, etc, then I would highly recommend seeking out a trainer or behaviorist in person to address the issue and try to find the cause such as stress or fear.