I was so excited when we got our first kitten. His name was Snowy, was a ball of snow white fur and so full of love. He was also full of bites and scratches. He would not stop biting and I couldn’t understand why?
How to Stop a Kitten from Biting and Scratching? To Stop a kitten from scratching and biting you must divert the kitten’s attention. Train the kitten to play with toys and not with humans, trim their claws. Teach the kitten that biting is not fun by yelling out when the kitten bites or scratches.
Why Do Kittens Scratch and Bite?
There were many firsts when we got a kitten and here are a few things I learnt. Here are a few things I learnt handling my cats and kittens over the past 5 years.
It might just be a Game – Play is Normal
You must understand that this might simply be just a form of play. Kittens love playing. After all, they are just babies. All they can understand is eating, playing, sleeping and pooping. My cat still does this …
This is how you can recognise that the kitten is just having fun and not out to attack you.
- The tail will be moving back and
forth , in a gentle kind of naughty way - The ears will be flattened against the head. It is absolutely cute to watch.
- The eyes, actually the pupils will get dilated
- The kitten will suddenly pounce and attack
Snowy was our first kitten and our introduction to the kitten world. I always have been around dogs and assumed I knew how to handle cats.
I was totally wrong. Cats are very different from dogs. They are bundles of joy having different attitudes, different rules of life … it is such fun.
Snowy would crouch under furniture, hide behind curtains and pounce on feet and moving objects.
This was his favourite game which terrified us. His claws were prickly and sharp. We were afraid of his bites.
It reminded me of the story from Ruskin Bond, where grandfather gets home a tiger cub, who does the same thing. The tiger cub’s favourite game was pouncing on the cook. Ruskin’s grandmother would often predict that one day, the cook would no longer be found ( hinting that the tiger would have him for breakfast).
Slowly I understood that Snowy attacking our feet was just game, he had no intention of having my toes for breakfast.
Kittens Socialize with Siblings
Biting and scratching is how kittens have fun and play with their siblings. When we had kittens, it was such fun to see them grow into powerhouses of energy.
They fought, bit, scratched each other.
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Slowly I understood, this was a form of getting to know each other. This is how kittens learnt to test boundaries and have fun.
Apart from socializing, one important lesson they learn is their boundaries. How much of biting and scratching is fun.
Might be a sign that the Kitten is Frightened
Not all scratching and biting might be a sign of games and play. Sometimes, it might be an indication that your kitten is frightened and is fighting back.
If you notice that the kitten is always scratching and biting a particular person, maybe there is more to it.
Maybe the kitten is feeling threatened by that person. Be on the alert and keep an eye out for what might be frightening your kitten and handle it immediately. Our aim as a cat parent is to make sure they feel safe, comfortable and secure.
Kitten might be in Pain
If your cat bites and scratches whenever you touch a particular part of her body, it might indicate that she might be in pain.
That part of er body might have a swelling, some wound, or some skin condition, which is causing her pain and discomfort.
For older cats it could be inflammation of joints or some internal conditions.
While you are petting and grooming her, you will notice these changes in behavior.
Check for visible signs of discomfort and if the problem still persists you must visit a vet immediately.
How to Stop Scratching and Biting?
#1 People are not Toys
First and foremost Kittens have to be trained than human hands and legs are not toys. This was especially tough for our family.
Both my kids were small and would squeal and run when the kitten chased them. The kitten took delight in this and chased them around, swiping and scratching.
First I had to train the kids to not run but calmly settle down. Next, no playing with kitten with fingers and hands. Slowly we used toys to play with the kitten.
#2 Trim Claws
For your safety, and your kitten’s safety, trim the kittens claws. This will reduce the chances of accidental scratching. How much ever we avoid scratching and biting, we will always have a few scratches.
Kittens play with their claws out, swipe at you suddenly and dig their teeth into your ankle, toes and fingers. Be prepared for that.
#3 Yell “Ouch”
A trick which worked with both my kittens was to yell a quick “ouch”. This should be done immediately after kitten bites or scratches.
This startles the kitten and usually within 2 to 3 days you should be able to train the cat to keep its claws in.
I used to gently catch the paw and touch the nails and say ouch, no.
Both kittens learned so quick. They want to continue playing. If putting their nails out and scratching and biting, is stopping play, they won’t do that.
#4 Time Out
I haven’t tried this one much. If the kitten scratches or bites, stop playing. Leave the kitten in a room or enclosure for 5 mins. That is essentially how timeouts work.
In our house, we stopped playing with the kitten. Everytime a scratch or bite was there, no attention was given ( along with “Ouch”)/
I gues that is enough for smart cute kitten to realize, this is not the right way to dela with the human family.
#Redirect Attention
This strategy always work. Just use a wand to divert their attention. They have such short attention span and easily are fooled into play.
I always had a bedsheet or towel also nearby, to protect myself from the cute bundles of joy.
After all they are babies, it does take time for them to understand.
What age does a Kitten Stop Biting?
Kittens stop biting at around 7 months of age. Usually it stops by the time they are 1 year old. Biting can be stopped if you can train the kitten earlier. 3 weeks kittens start the biting game. Biting is at its worst at 9 weeks of age when teething begins.
Do kittens bite a lot when teething?
Teething in kittens means sore gums, itching and sensitivity. You will notice the kitten biting on objects, drooling and also occasional bad odor at the teething phase.
Kittens tend to bite a lot at teething, so it is important to redirect it towards safe objects away from hands and fingers.
9 Week Old Kitten Biting
9 weeks is the age when kittens bite the most. It is kind of a peak, probably the teething phase. Now is the time to start laying some ground rules. Usually mamma cat and siblings teach the kitten biting is not okay.
If mamma cat is not around, it is time for you to take over and take a firm stance. Walk away when the kitten bits, no attention is better than negative attention.
Don’t shout at the kitten, do not spray water. I found two things worked well with my kittens. One was hissing like mamma cat, it let them know this behaviour was not okay. Another was screaming ouch every-time they bit.
Kittens are so smart, they learn very fast.
How can I make my Cat less Aggressive?
There might be a reason why your kitten is suddenly aggressive. First and foremost, never punish the kittens.
Second investigate what might be causing this aggressive behaviour.
Soemtimes you might notice that it is always associated with an individual.
Maybe they are handling the kitten badly. Maybe kids are involved and they are pulling its tail or swiping at it.
Maybe there is a dog which is always threatening it.
Speak to the individuals involved and teach them how to best interact and care for the kittens.
Sometimes some people migh be touching the kittens paws and stomach and most cats dont like that.
Again this is not allowed, till the cat wants it.
Sometimes it could be a health issue. The cat might have fallen and hurt itself or have joint pains.
Just be alert to the kittens, you will slowly understand whats wrong.
Why do Cats suddenly Attack their Owners?
IT could simply be play time. Kittens have loads of energy.
It might not actually be an attack, it could just be your kitten trying to play. Sometimes it could be a show of dominance as they are trying to show who is in control.
Related Questions
Why do Kittens Bite when you Pet them
This might just be a game or it could be a show of affection. My kittens showed affection by biting more like nibbling, rubbing and playing.
It is the kittens way of telling you they love you. Some cats bite to show who is in control. This is the way they are trying to show who is the leader. or master.
How to Stop a Kitten from Biting Wires
The easiest way is to keep them away. If you cannot keep wires away, keep them protected. Use plastic wraps to wrap wires up. You can also pull the wire through pvc pipes. We would never leave wires hanging. This lesson was learned the hard way.
If we left headphones hanging, or the mouse hanging, my kittens would nip the earpiece off. They would bite right through the wire.
Scolding does not work, it frightens the kitten. Just be calm and firm and remove the wires away.
Another deterrent is rubbing wires with citrus oil or vinegar. My kittens detest that smell.
How to Stop a Kitten from Scratching Furniture
Keep scratching posts near the furniture they scratch. Cover furniture such as cloth. We used a bedsheet and the kittens hate that. You can also tape of that section with aluminium foil.
Spray a citrus scented spray which cats hate. Make the scratching post attractive by spraying catnip or honeysuckle. Draw the cats to the scratching posts using wand toys.
Some cat information from a Cat Mom