How to stop a kitten scratching and biting when playing

Participant

Participant

Participant

Caporegime
Joined
13 May 2003
Posts
34,663
Location
Warwickshire
Hi, do any cat owners have any good tips as to the best way to stop kittens scratching and biting you when they're 'playing'?

My friend has just gotten a kitten and is having some problems with it being a bit over-zealous with the claws and teeth. She wants to know the best way to encourage it to keep the claws under wraps, and I was just wondering if you guys had any tips.

I've read about tactics ranging from crying out very loudly when it scratches, to a flick on the nose and a squirt of water, to de-clawing!! I'm sure the last one is very much a last resort but I'd be interested to hear what's worked for you.

Thanks.
 
They usually grow out of it, but you could always use the same psychology as you'd use on dogs. As soon as it gets too rough, stop playing, and the cat will learn that scratchy + bitey = end of playtime.

Unless of course it's my brother's cat, in which case it just became better at attacking people as it got older :(
 
The only way is to either get one of them scratch pole things or snip them down. I have to do our cat's claws every 5 months or so with a small pair of bolt croppers. These work better than nail clippers.
 
What we did with the pup (might work with you), when she started gnawing on the couches, was to get some chilli powder (very hot but odourless) and mix it with 5 parts water then apply it to where she was biting.

After 2 times, she didnt do it ever again :) Might be able to do something similar with the kitten? Its all about learning by association, so associate something undesirable with their actions. A very loud clap perhaps?
 
de-clawing!!
Click to expand...

De-clawing is NEVER an option - it's barbaric and cruel.

Biting and scratching is natural and most kittens grow out of it very quickly. I found with my two that a quick and loud "ow" followed by a tap on thier head got them out of the habit quite quickly.

Having said that, now they are both 5 we still have some cracking play fights and my arms often look like they've been dragged through a bramble patch!
 
Don't torment it. You'll find it's fun playing with the cat as he looks so cute but you'll soon realise he's a **** when he gives you a deep scratch.

He'll grow out of it.
 
best way is to get something to play with thats on a pole/piece of rope.

had rescue kittens in past and their pretty rough with each other, thats just the way they play.

your friend has to remember that there playing used to be training for when they had to hunt their own food.
 
Last edited:
Buy those little boxing gloves that you used to hang on your car mirror, then apply them to the kitten's paws.
 
Despite the fact that de-clawing is illegal.
Chilli powder - NO.
If that gets in their eyes a cat can literally scratch its eyes out.

It's all about conditioning.
When cats play together they use claws and teeth.
Once the cat gets over excited then stop playing, basically stop playing and ignore.
Cat will soon learn what happens when the claws and teeth come out.
 
It's most often a problem with kittens removed from their mother and siblings too early. Cats learn to play nice by playing with other cats.

Say "no" when they scratch and stop playing.

If they bite your hand or finger, push your hand towards them into their mouth - they don't like that, and will learn to stop.

Partly, though: kittens will bite or scratch occasionally, it's just part of having a kitten.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom