Why does my kitten bite and scratch when playing? How to stop it?

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!

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.

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!

It sounds like you have your hands full! For better or for worse, this is typical kitten behavior. He will mellow out as he grows up, although he may always have a rambunctious personality. For right now, schedule some time every day to play with him using a laser pointer, balls, feathers on a string, or any other toys he loves. Aim for 10 minutes three times a day. Try your best not to scream and move quickly when he runs underfoot because he will think it's a game and do it more. If he's an only animal, instead of feeding him in a bowl a few times a day, hide kibble around your home for him to hunt - start really small with this to make sure he gets the idea. Try to enjoy his antics and reach out for a consultation if you need more ideas!

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.

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.

Cute kitty!! I'm sorry that you are having a hard time with her. It sounds like you've been trying all the right things up to this point. I think the most helpful thing for you at this point would be to consider investing in a consultation with a behaviorist. Here is a great site to find one near you: https://iaabc.org/consultants Additionally, consider a laser pointer toy at multiple times throughout the day to help keep her occupied: https://www.amazon.com/SereneLife-Automatic-Cat-Laser-Toy/dp/B07537S2LJ or a motion activated mouse is also a great option. Use a "hunter" type feeding toy... this allows cats to "hunt" their food. This is a great system: https://docandphoebe.com Here's a site with some additional info that may help you better understand the behavior and intervene appropriately: https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/cat-care/common-cat-behavior-issues/aggression-cats I hope that helps you! Thanks for asking PetCoach!