My rescued barn kitten is unpredictable and bites. What to do?

Make sure she has her own safe space so she doesn’t become overly stressed (a large dog crate with food, water and litter box is perfect). Make sure all meal times are interactive and distract with food or treats when you’re trying to make physical contact. Take it slow and eventually she will become used to you being around. This website has some good tips: http://www.urbancatleague.org/TamingFerals

Unfortunately it sounds like you've adopted a cat that was still a bit feral, and it may take a bit of training to resolve this. Get her to sit with you, give her petting and attention and some very high-value food rewards (bits of canned tuna, a tiny lick of anchovy paste) or maybe some brushing or playtime as long as she allows the petting without biting. As soon as she starts biting, withdraw the attention, and leave her where she is. Keep doing this, and eventually she'll get the message that good behavior is rewarded.

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!

This is a more aggressive breed of cat. When they get excited and playful that's when they bite and scratch. I recommend playing with a feather on a string or a laser pointer so you can play with him without touching him. Also teaching him to retrieve will tire him out and be a fun game. When petting him only pet him on the top of the head or under the chin. Male cats when pet on the back to tail will often flip over to bite and scratch. Also I recommend leaving the room if he becomes aggressive and hopefully he'll learn that he needs to behave to get more attention. He may never be a cuddly cat but you can still have fun with him when you learn not to set off his triggers to aggressive behavior. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you get answers to your veterinary questions.

Hi, your cat is very young still so being playful it is not unexpected however if she is being aggressive too there are lots of things to consider. You can try to offer her as many occasions to display normal predatory behaviour, such as toys and feeding puzzles. If she does not have any access to outdoors, would it be possible to have a Catio arranged for her to experience some kind of sensory stimulation/observe outside etc ? Does she have places at home where she can be left undisturbed and rest ? A book I really found useful is https://www.amazon.com/Trainable-Cat-Practical-Making-Happier/dp/0465050905 And please see https://icatcare.org/advice/problem-behaviour/aggression-humans

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.