Hi all,

I'm a newbie to the forum (and pets), hope someone can help...

I have had my wee kitten for a week now and as the week has gone on she has become more confident and comfortable in my flat (which is good), however she has started to bite.

Chilli is generally very sweet and nice-natured but seems to randomly have periods when she wants to play rough and bite. So far, I have put her in her box for a couple of mins to let her calm down when she does it but I don't want her to associate her travel box with discipline otherwise she will reluctant to get in it when I need to take her to vets etc. Also she cries to get out and I'm a big softie...

Any suggestions would be gratefully appreciated!

Thanks
Loux

It's normal for them to play bite, have you got a string toy or something or a small teddy she can bite instead of you. Ping pong balls are good for them to chase and release kitty energy. She will be teething as well, when she bites you just distract her with a scrunched up piece of paper or something.. Cardboard boxes are great as they chew the corners and it's good for teething

Thanks for the reply! She does have a lot of toys and when she bites me near them I can usually get her to bite a toy instead! Think I will just make sure I always have one handy. She does always manage it when I least expect it though.

I wasn't aware that kittens teethed - I suppose thinking about it, it is obvious! Think I am going to have a look back over old posts to prepare myself for whatever else I can expect!

yes its very normal for babies to play bite, she may start hanging onto your clothes soon!! lol she will be exploring with her mouth and although it can be a bit worrying and frustrating.. she will grow out of it. obviously dont encourage her and if she gets out of hand, like you are already doing give her time out. also maybe some things for her to chew on.like cat toys?
bless her.. you will look back when she is older and think this is all funny but dont worry she isnt aggressive or anything like that she is just a baby having fun and exploring!
x

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Lhasa Apso Lover - Gemma and Joey x
www.lhasa-apso-forums.co.uk

Thanks for this, its a relief to know her behaviour is normal and she it doesnt mean she will grow up aggresive! Cat toy as an alternative is working- she is also chewing on her blanket- anything other than me is a bonus! I am currently head to toe covered in scratches- any ideas how long i can expect this? I love playing with her but would be nice not to have the scratches!

I have just replied to another poster whose kitten is teething - you find find it helpful to get something like these
Petstages Three Ring Play Catnip Toy - £2.50 : Pinky Pawz - Simply ... the cats whiskers!, Pinky Pawz - Simply ... the cats whiskers!
Freeze them for an hour or so and then give them to the kitten - may help soothe their gums.

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Kaz

For kittens, joy is for the asking and smiles are for the giving

Thanx for the tip, i will give it a shot! Its a relief to know shes normal! :-)

I'm the 'other poster', and my Jack is 23 weeks. He has periods in the morning and evening when he just goes MENTAL and bites anything that moves - feet, hands, clothing, everything. He also lays on the stairs and chews the carpet, then pulls a really 'ick' face and spits out the fluff. It sounds like your Chili is completely normal. We normally try and distract Jack with one of those toys on a stick so he's well away from our feet, but I think he is probably especially bitey because of his teething - here's hoping he grows out of it! It's quite funny when he's a five pound ball of fluff, it will be different when he's fifteen pounds and built with it!

Do you play with your kitten with your hands? I'm new to all this as well, but I've read afew breeders advice sites, where they say to never play with your cat with your hands....it encourages them to bite you because they begin to think of your hands as prey. My kittens are only 8 weeks old & admittedly they haven't reached a boysterous aggressive playing stage as yet, but straight away we all only play with them with their toys etc, and on the rare occassion they did nip at a finger, I just kept my hand still and said a quiet but firm no, I then moved my hand away very slowly. I only had to go through this process maybe three times & they haven't nipped at me since.

Hope this is helpful

I confess to letting them chew my fist It doesn't hurt as long as they don't claw the inside of my finger. When they get to rough I just say "Uh Uh" loudly and they freeze with there mouth and claws around my hand, then I set myself free