If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below. |
|
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
#1
|
|||
|
|||
Biting kitty
We have a 4-month old kitten who was abandoned at a truck stop. He was
approximately 6 weeks old. My son-in-law found him and brought him to me. He had eye infections and an upper respiratory infection, both of which cleared right up with medication. He was given tests (all negative), his shots, and was dewormed. Since then he's healthy and happy and thriving. The only problem is he bites. Just my hands and forearms but it's painful. The vet said he can't be neutered until he's 7 months old. Is it likely that will help with the biting? Any other suggestions? Kathy |
#2
|
|||
|
|||
Biting kitty
"Kathy" wrote in message ... forearms but it's painful. The vet said he can't be neutered until he's 7 months old. Is it likely that will help with the biting? Any other suggestions? A loud "OW" and withdrawing, no more playing, no petting, no attention at all is a good place to start. And don't use your hands to play with the cat, use a toy like a feather on a stick. Don't smack him and don't spray him with water, just a loud OW and withdraw. Over and over again. Bless you for taking him in and getting him the vet care he needs. BTW, I think you can find a vet who will neuter him before he is 7 months old. |
#3
|
|||
|
|||
Biting kitty
I agree with what cybercat says--use a toy or laser light to play with
him, never your hands. If he does bite your hand, yell OW loudly and let your hand go limp. Quietly and slowly get up and stop the play session. He'll learn quickly. Make sure to play with him regularly to release that energy--he has a lot right now. I also agree with cybercat about asking another vet about neutering him sooner. The idea of waiting until 6 months or later to perform the surgery is outdated thinking. |
#4
|
|||
|
|||
Biting kitty
cybercat wrote:
"Kathy" wrote in message ... forearms but it's painful. The vet said he can't be neutered until he's 7 months old. Is it likely that will help with the biting? Any other suggestions? A loud "OW" and withdrawing, no more playing, no petting, no attention at all is a good place to start. That's funny, because that was my instinct. He does stop when I do that, but goes right back to it in a minute. And don't use your hands to play with the cat, That's probably my mistake. I tickle him and poke him while playing (my form of roughhousing with the little guy), probably just encouraging the biting. I'll stop doing that, though I hate to. use a toy like a feather on a stick. Don't smack him and don't spray him with water, just a loud OW and withdraw. Over and over again. Bless you for taking him in and getting him the vet care he needs. BTW, I think you can find a vet who will neuter him before he is 7 months old. Thanks. Kathy |
#5
|
|||
|
|||
Biting kitty
Rene S. wrote:
I agree with what cybercat says--use a toy or laser light to play with him, never your hands. If he does bite your hand, yell OW loudly and let your hand go limp. Quietly and slowly get up and stop the play session. He'll learn quickly. Make sure to play with him regularly to release that energy--he has a lot right now. I also agree with cybercat about asking another vet about neutering him sooner. The idea of waiting until 6 months or later to perform the surgery is outdated thinking. Can't think of leaving my vet (he's been great) but maybe if I ask him, he'll do it sooner. Thanks. Kathy |
#6
|
|||
|
|||
Biting kitty
"Kathy" wrote And don't use your hands to play with the cat, That's probably my mistake. I tickle him and poke him while playing (my form of roughhousing with the little guy), probably just encouraging the biting. I'll stop doing that, though I hate to. It's so much fun when they are little. Problem is they get bigger. |
#7
|
|||
|
|||
Biting kitty
"Kathy" wrote Can't think of leaving my vet (he's been great) but maybe if I ask him, he'll do it sooner. You could show him some research. Google Cornell Veterinary Hospital they are pretty respected, and see what they have to say about neutering age. Good luck. He is very lucky to have you. Also we love pictures. If you put some of him up, do post a link so we can see him. |
#8
|
|||
|
|||
Biting kitty
On Oct 20, 10:42*am, Kathy wrote:
We have a 4-month old kitten who was abandoned at a truck stop. He was approximately 6 weeks old. My son-in-law found him and brought him to me. *He had eye infections and an upper respiratory infection, both of which cleared right up with medication. *He was given tests (all negative), his shots, and was dewormed. Since then he's healthy and happy and thriving. *The only problem is he bites. *Just my hands and forearms but it's painful. *The vet said he can't be neutered until he's 7 months old. *Is it likely that will help with the biting? *Any other suggestions? Kathy Thank you for taking this kitten in. It sounds like you and he are doing great, except for the biting issue. That is commonly a problem when a young kitten doesn't get well socialized living with his mom and siblings. They will bite and "attack" because they haven't learned cat manners. When they bite mom or other kittens, they get a loud yell or hiss or swat. You need to give him similar feed back when he bites you. I have found that a hiss works. They soon learn and when they get bitten by other kittens themselves they realize that it hurts! If you are interested in adopting another kitten to be his buddy, he will probably learn better manners from the other kitten and he will have someone to play with and use up some energy. Teach him that hands and feet are not playthings. Never play with him by wrestling him with your hands or feet. Using a stuffed animal that is about his size or a thick oven mitt on your hand will allow him to wrestle, but not directly with your hand. Play with him with a feline flyer (stick, string, feather on the end) or a feather wand, a stuffed mouse on a string (don't leave strings or ribbons out when you are not supervising, they can be swallowed and cause GI problems), a plastic or cloth tape measure, balls with jingles in them. Hope that helps a little. Good luck. Debbie |
#9
|
|||
|
|||
Biting kitty
dberrycat wrote:
On Oct 20, 10:42 am, Kathy wrote: We have a 4-month old kitten who was abandoned at a truck stop. He was approximately 6 weeks old. My son-in-law found him and brought him to me. He had eye infections and an upper respiratory infection, both of which cleared right up with medication. He was given tests (all negative), his shots, and was dewormed. Since then he's healthy and happy and thriving. The only problem is he bites. Just my hands and forearms but it's painful. The vet said he can't be neutered until he's 7 months old. Is it likely that will help with the biting? Any other suggestions? Kathy Thank you for taking this kitten in. It sounds like you and he are doing great, except for the biting issue. That is commonly a problem when a young kitten doesn't get well socialized living with his mom and siblings. They will bite and "attack" because they haven't learned cat manners. When they bite mom or other kittens, they get a loud yell or hiss or swat. You need to give him similar feed back when he bites you. I have found that a hiss works. They soon learn and when they get bitten by other kittens themselves they realize that it hurts! If you are interested in adopting another kitten to be his buddy, he will probably learn better manners from the other kitten and he will have someone to play with and use up some energy. Teach him that hands and feet are not playthings. Never play with him by wrestling him with your hands or feet. Using a stuffed animal that is about his size or a thick oven mitt on your hand will allow him to wrestle, but not directly with your hand. Play with him with a feline flyer (stick, string, feather on the end) or a feather wand, a stuffed mouse on a string (don't leave strings or ribbons out when you are not supervising, they can be swallowed and cause GI problems), a plastic or cloth tape measure, balls with jingles in them. Hope that helps a little. Good luck. Debbie A big thanks to you and everyone who responded. I'll check back with a progress report! Kathy |
#10
|
|||
|
|||
Biting kitty
On Tue, 20 Oct 2009 10:42:17 -0400, Kathy wrote:
We have a 4-month old kitten who was abandoned at a truck stop. He was approximately 6 weeks old. My son-in-law found him and brought him to me. He had eye infections and an upper respiratory infection, both of which cleared right up with medication. He was given tests (all negative), his shots, and was dewormed. Since then he's healthy and happy and thriving. The only problem is he bites. Just my hands and forearms but it's painful. The vet said he can't be neutered until he's 7 months old. Is it likely that will help with the biting? Any other suggestions? Kathy he vet said he can't be neutered until he's months old. WTF. It's TIME to get him spayed NOW, or he nay start spraying. You need a MUCH better vet. It's pretty routine now for most vets to do spays, which are a MUCH more involved surgery, at 10 to 12 weeks. I worked for a vet, and neuters are VERY easy to do. I can't figure WHY a vet, who isn't mentally ill, would say at cat 'can't be neutered' at 7 months. That's just plain insane, and some of the worst vet advice I've seen in a very long time. |
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
Biting cat | J King | Cat health & behaviour | 8 | October 7th 05 06:32 PM |
Kitty Biting | Lots42 | Cat anecdotes | 7 | May 27th 05 12:00 PM |
Why is this cat biting me? | ph_leung | Cat health & behaviour | 19 | December 3rd 04 03:54 PM |
Kitty Won't Stop BITING me and CHEWING on fabric! | Jill | Cat health & behaviour | 34 | October 4th 04 09:05 PM |
fur biting | Simon Fitzpatrick | Cat health & behaviour | 3 | August 31st 04 01:04 AM |