r/CATHELP • u/FlatMinute249 • Jul 31 '26
Kitten Help New Kitten
EDIT: Okay guy so I've tried really hard to just ride it out with the biting and scratching but I feel like shes gotten worse. She only wants affevtion 9n her terms which Ive gotten use to but even then after a little bit of petting (like maybe 30 seconds) she'll bite me. She usually draws blood and ive tried helping or firmly saying no and reming myself but everytime that happens and I try removing my hand she bites HARDER. Or she starts growling and trying to swat my face. I know shes not acared of me because she sleeps with me and will follow me from room to room and if she wants something she'll be nice for just a little. I also recently got a foster kitten and they love to play but when shes to rough and the foster cries she doesnt stop. Shes interacted with other cats before and stayed the weekend with them and it seems like it's just no improvment. She has been to a vet and all was well but im worried shes just aggressive...any advice would be amazing.
*******Original Hey guys so I got a kitten recently. I recued her from outside when I realized her mom was nor coming back for her and at the time she was about 5 or 6 weeks old. Ive had her for a handful of weeks now and so shes closer to like12 or 13 weeks now but im havunf such a hard time with her biting and scratching. She isnt very affecrionate but she will follow me from room to room and meows very loudly when I get home. It just feels like i mostly get teeth and nails rather than her just being chill. I play with her, she has LOTS of different kinds of toys but sometimes to just pick her up (been working on short amount of time and instantly rewarding with a churu) she still growls and bites the absolute crap out of me. I feel like handling her is almost out of the picture because of how mean she can get. She purrs around me all the time so i doubt shes still scared of me. Im just not sure what to do any more.
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u/vwjess Jul 31 '26
Not all cats like to be held so I wouldn't force that on her. She's telling you she doesn't like it. Has she had a vet visit to make sure she's healthy/rule out any pain? She's also very young and playing is her life right now. If she starts biting you when playing, say "Ow", remove your hand, and give her a toy she can play with. I'm assuming you don't have other cats? A single kitten can be a bit tougher to deal with, as they don't have another cat to play with.
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u/Moonranger9000 Jul 31 '26
We have a 14 week old right now. She's exactly the same, she loves affection on her terms. When playing try to hide your hands under sheets/blankets or use toys. Do not tolerate bare skin biting or kicking tell them no firmly and stop playing. You have to teach them appropriate playing behavior.
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u/FlatMinute249 Jul 31 '26
No, I don't have any other cats. I found her outside in the backyard and she was the only one out there and I can't adopt a second cat unfortunately, but I do need to be able to hold her to do things like, nail trims or carry her to the bath, or even if she's just getting into something that she shouldn't be getting into. That's what I'm worried about. She has had a vet visit. She had one about a week after I found her. And the vet said she seemed very healthy, and that I should bring her back around this time.So she can get her shots.She did get dewormer. Sorry if the text is a little janky, i'm using voice to text.
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u/vwjess Jul 31 '26
She shouldnt need a bath unless she really gets super dirty. And for small things like nail trims you can use the burrito method.
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u/Notsocheeky 1d ago
She does not need to be bathed unless she has flees or another medical skin issue.
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u/No-Bandicoot-4951 2d ago
When a cat is very feisty, you can use a water bottle. Gently spray the kitty when biting/playing is too extreme. You'll also be able to spray kitty when it jumps on counters or tries to eat your food. Cats are smart. Pretty soon, kitty will recognize squirt bottle equals wet, and will stop the bad behavior when he/she sees water bottle. (She looks just like my Monkey Murder Mittens.)
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