Hi everyone.
My kitty, who will be a year in April, was rescued from a dumpster at 5 days old. I bottle fed her, taught her to use the litter box, etc., but I have a few issues with her that I don't know how to fix. She's sweet and loving for the most part, but she goes into "attack mode" frequently (at least once a day), biting and scratching me to bits. I have done a LOT of research to try and find ways to break her of this, such as loud noises, squirt bottle, swat on the butt, time out, etc., but nothing seems to work...they just make her mad. I've spend a small fortune in toys and hide/switch them out so that she doesn't get bored and I have even pointed out bugs to her so that she can fulfill her instinct to hunt. I've been told that she will outgrow this behavior, but I still think that I could be doing something more?
Her newest thing is that now she is "disposing" on the carpet. She has always been very good about using her little box and I am diligent about cleaning it daily. However, a few weeks ago, she started pooping on the carpet just outside the box, and she will do this even with a clean box and fresh litter. The litter box I use is enclosed, but not fully and it's in an area out of the way so that she has her privacy. She still uses her box to urinate, so I know she's doesn’t have issues with using it. I have read that a stressful situation can cause this to happen and I did recently move into a new home, but we've been in the home for nearly 3 months and she only just started doing it.
Does anyone have any suggestions about how I can help her learn better habits with the biting, scratching and pooping on the carpet?
Thanks!!

Welcome to the forum
i'm afraid i dont know anything about cats but people in the cat section will give you great advice, by the way your kitten is Gorgeous & well done for giving her a caring home

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Hi and welcome to the forum. Your cat sounds lovely - is that her in your avatar picture?
Have you tried isolating her when she's in her attack mood? Put her into a separate room for a few minutes - she may get the idea that it's not a good idea to play so roughly
It might be anxiety from the move that is causing her pooing problem. Clean the area where she is going very throughly with a carpet cleaner that will rid the area of the smell - even if you can't smell it she will be able to. Perhaps she would like a second litter tray for this purpose - some cats do not like to do both in one place and even though she has been using her litter tray she might have just decided she no longer wants to wee and poo in the same place.
put her poo into the litter tray and scratch with her paws so that you reinforce the message of where you expect her to go.
Best of luck - if you put a post in the cat section I'm sure you'll get loads of advice

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Excellent advice. Thank you so much. I'm still trying to figure out how to post a new thread ANYwhere, much less the Cat area, so I will keep looking. I will take your advice on the rest of it...I really appreciate it! And, yes, that is my little pricess on the avatar!

hi and welcome! dont have my cats for a few days yet so no advice here Im sorry, but your kitten is beautiful hun! xxxx

Hi there

Welcome to PF. I've only had my cats since October so i'm learning too - sorry can't give any advice.

Click on the Training & Behaviour section under Cats (half way down the page) & re-post your question there, hopefully you'll get some help to sort your kitty soon (they've helped me when i needed it).

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