HELP-Kitten Biting Anything & Everything!!!

My kitten is about months old and she bites constantly... She bites
people, furniture, destroys clothing, carpet and bed sheets, and
anything else that she sees. The vet says that she could be acting out
because of something that is stressing her out, but there are no other
pets here, nor children or anything else that should be aggrevating
her. She has tons of toys and scratch posts, which she also scratches
and uses, and she also curls up in my lap and purrs on occassion, so I
have a hard time believing that is that stressed and acting out. Even
when she is being playful tough, you cant even touch her without her
trying to bite you. I have tried a spray bottle, a firm NO, and even
smacking a rolledup newspaper next to her when she is doing it, but it
still continues. I need help! I don't want to get rid of my kitty but
I can't keep her if she is going to destory my house and everything in
it while drawing blood from every guest that walks in the door. Any
suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Jeffery P. wrote:
My kitten is about months old and she bites constantly... She bites
people, furniture, destroys clothing, carpet and bed sheets, and
anything else that she sees. The vet says that she could be acting out
because of something that is stressing her out, but there are no other
pets here, nor children or anything else that should be aggrevating
her. She has tons of toys and scratch posts, which she also scratches
and uses, and she also curls up in my lap and purrs on occassion, so I
have a hard time believing that is that stressed and acting out. Even
when she is being playful tough, you cant even touch her without her
trying to bite you. I have tried a spray bottle, a firm NO, and even
smacking a rolledup newspaper next to her when she is doing it, but it
still continues. I need help! I don't want to get rid of my kitty but
I can't keep her if she is going to destory my house and everything in
it while drawing blood from every guest that walks in the door. Any
suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!


How old is the kitten? She could be teething. Try giving her some doggy
chew sticks. Is it possible to ignore her when she bites you?
Camilla

Jeffery P. wrote:
My kitten is about months old and she bites constantly... She bites
people, furniture, destroys clothing, carpet and bed sheets, and
anything else that she sees. The vet says that she could be acting out
because of something that is stressing her out, but there are no other
pets here, nor children or anything else that should be aggrevating
her. She has tons of toys and scratch posts, which she also scratches
and uses, and she also curls up in my lap and purrs on occassion, so I
have a hard time believing that is that stressed and acting out. Even
when she is being playful tough, you cant even touch her without her
trying to bite you. I have tried a spray bottle, a firm NO, and even
smacking a rolledup newspaper next to her when she is doing it, but it
still continues. I need help! I don't want to get rid of my kitty but
I can't keep her if she is going to destory my house and everything in
it while drawing blood from every guest that walks in the door. Any
suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!


How old is the kitten? She could be teething. Try giving her some doggy
chew sticks. Is it possible to ignore her when she bites you?
Camilla

Jeffery P. wrote:
Even
when she is being playful tough, you cant even touch her without her
trying to bite you.

I don't know if it's too late, but one thing that worked with my latest
addition was to never, *ever* use your hand to play with the kitty. Everyone
who came in the house was told that "the hand is not a toy" and we had lots
of actual toys so we wouldn't be tempted. The two kittens grew up with some
attempts at biting but *nothing* at all like my older cat. With her, I
played with her with my hands all the time when she was younger, and even
now she is not shy at all about biting me or anybody.

So, in addition to the spray bottle (if your cat doesn't like it, that is --
some do), and trying to ignore her, I would recommend never playing with her
with just your hand. Be careful with petting too :-). Finally, you can try a
"time-out" in the bathroom or other small area if she is truly out of
control. Sounds like she is peaceful sometimes, so this has a good chance of
working.

Good luck!
Jess K.

Jeffery P. wrote:
Even
when she is being playful tough, you cant even touch her without her
trying to bite you.

I don't know if it's too late, but one thing that worked with my latest
addition was to never, *ever* use your hand to play with the kitty. Everyone
who came in the house was told that "the hand is not a toy" and we had lots
of actual toys so we wouldn't be tempted. The two kittens grew up with some
attempts at biting but *nothing* at all like my older cat. With her, I
played with her with my hands all the time when she was younger, and even
now she is not shy at all about biting me or anybody.

So, in addition to the spray bottle (if your cat doesn't like it, that is --
some do), and trying to ignore her, I would recommend never playing with her
with just your hand. Be careful with petting too :-). Finally, you can try a
"time-out" in the bathroom or other small area if she is truly out of
control. Sounds like she is peaceful sometimes, so this has a good chance of
working.

Good luck!
Jess K.

Thanks to everyone who responded so far. To answer your questions, the
kitten is about 3 months old. I dont think it is teething because she
likes to claw when she bites as well. As for ignoring her, that
doesn't work. She chases you down when you walk anbd will attack your
feet or your ankles, and at times she will even jump through the air
and atach herself to your pant leg, take a quick nip and jump off and
run away. I am beginning to think that maybe she is just crazy and
there is no hope. hehe If anyone coudl suggest anything else though, I
am more that open to listen to suggestions. :-)

On Mon, 31 May 2004 00:37:17 +0200, Camilla Baird
wrote:

Jeffery P. wrote:
My kitten is about months old and she bites constantly... She bites
people, furniture, destroys clothing, carpet and bed sheets, and
anything else that she sees. The vet says that she could be acting out
because of something that is stressing her out, but there are no other
pets here, nor children or anything else that should be aggrevating
her. She has tons of toys and scratch posts, which she also scratches
and uses, and she also curls up in my lap and purrs on occassion, so I
have a hard time believing that is that stressed and acting out. Even
when she is being playful tough, you cant even touch her without her
trying to bite you. I have tried a spray bottle, a firm NO, and even
smacking a rolledup newspaper next to her when she is doing it, but it
still continues. I need help! I don't want to get rid of my kitty but
I can't keep her if she is going to destory my house and everything in
it while drawing blood from every guest that walks in the door. Any
suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!


How old is the kitten? She could be teething. Try giving her some doggy
chew sticks. Is it possible to ignore her when she bites you?
Camilla

Thanks to everyone who responded so far. To answer your questions, the
kitten is about 3 months old. I dont think it is teething because she
likes to claw when she bites as well. As for ignoring her, that
doesn't work. She chases you down when you walk anbd will attack your
feet or your ankles, and at times she will even jump through the air
and atach herself to your pant leg, take a quick nip and jump off and
run away. I am beginning to think that maybe she is just crazy and
there is no hope. hehe If anyone coudl suggest anything else though, I
am more that open to listen to suggestions. :-)

On Mon, 31 May 2004 00:37:17 +0200, Camilla Baird
wrote:

Jeffery P. wrote:
My kitten is about months old and she bites constantly... She bites
people, furniture, destroys clothing, carpet and bed sheets, and
anything else that she sees. The vet says that she could be acting out
because of something that is stressing her out, but there are no other
pets here, nor children or anything else that should be aggrevating
her. She has tons of toys and scratch posts, which she also scratches
and uses, and she also curls up in my lap and purrs on occassion, so I
have a hard time believing that is that stressed and acting out. Even
when she is being playful tough, you cant even touch her without her
trying to bite you. I have tried a spray bottle, a firm NO, and even
smacking a rolledup newspaper next to her when she is doing it, but it
still continues. I need help! I don't want to get rid of my kitty but
I can't keep her if she is going to destory my house and everything in
it while drawing blood from every guest that walks in the door. Any
suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!


How old is the kitten? She could be teething. Try giving her some doggy
chew sticks. Is it possible to ignore her when she bites you?
Camilla

Jeffery P. wrote:
Thanks to everyone who responded so far. To answer your questions, the
kitten is about 3 months old. I dont think it is teething because she
likes to claw when she bites as well. As for ignoring her, that
doesn't work. She chases you down when you walk anbd will attack your
feet or your ankles, and at times she will even jump through the air
and atach herself to your pant leg, take a quick nip and jump off and
run away. I am beginning to think that maybe she is just crazy and
there is no hope. hehe If anyone coudl suggest anything else though, I
am more that open to listen to suggestions. :-)



Was she the only kitten in the litter? Has she been socialised with
people from a very early age?How old was she when she moved in with you?

It could sound as though she is bored. It is normal for kittens to play
and fight with each other. I think she is using you for this, while
lacking another kitten. When kittens play and get too rough, one will
scream loudly in a high pitch - this is "STOP you are hurting me" in cat
language. I often use this method when teaching my kittens that I am not
a scratching pole, nor am I a biting toy - with some patience it works.
You must scream *every time* you feel those teeth.

Camilla

Jeffery P. wrote:
Thanks to everyone who responded so far. To answer your questions, the
kitten is about 3 months old. I dont think it is teething because she
likes to claw when she bites as well. As for ignoring her, that
doesn't work. She chases you down when you walk anbd will attack your
feet or your ankles, and at times she will even jump through the air
and atach herself to your pant leg, take a quick nip and jump off and
run away. I am beginning to think that maybe she is just crazy and
there is no hope. hehe If anyone coudl suggest anything else though, I
am more that open to listen to suggestions. :-)



Was she the only kitten in the litter? Has she been socialised with
people from a very early age?How old was she when she moved in with you?

It could sound as though she is bored. It is normal for kittens to play
and fight with each other. I think she is using you for this, while
lacking another kitten. When kittens play and get too rough, one will
scream loudly in a high pitch - this is "STOP you are hurting me" in cat
language. I often use this method when teaching my kittens that I am not
a scratching pole, nor am I a biting toy - with some patience it works.
You must scream *every time* you feel those teeth.

Camilla

"Jeffery P." wrote in message
...
Thanks to everyone who responded so far. To answer your questions, the
kitten is about 3 months old. I dont think it is teething because she
likes to claw when she bites as well. As for ignoring her, that
doesn't work. She chases you down when you walk anbd will attack your
feet or your ankles, and at times she will even jump through the air
and atach herself to your pant leg, take a quick nip and jump off and
run away. I am beginning to think that maybe she is just crazy and
there is no hope. hehe If anyone coudl suggest anything else though, I
am more that open to listen to suggestions. :-)

As everyone else has mentioned this is normal kitten behavior and she
will continue this until she learns proper play etiquette. I agree with
both
the scream and the redirect. Works with puppies biting too. Just yell
ow and substitute a toy. For the kitten I suggest a small stuffed animal
type toy that she can actually wrestle with. Should be large enough for
her to wrap herself around but not so large as to scare her. Helps to
rub a bit of cat nip on it.

AG