I know this is posted about all the time so apologies. We have a new kitten, she's just over 10 weeks and we brought her home when she was 8 weeks. She's absolutely gorgeous, very affectionate and we've already fallen in love with her.
Having had kittens in the past, I understand that they're super playful at this age and that biting is a part of that. My fiance and I both work from home at the moment so we are able to play with her throughout the day (about 15 minute sessions each time, usually with a little toy mouse or a fishing rod) and we are careful not to use our hands or feet as toys. When she does bite I make a yelping noise, as I've read that can help your kitten understand that it hurts you, and redirect her attention to a toy that she can attack instead. We also say 'No' sternly if she goes to bite and I've given her a time out a couple of times now, putting her in a room by herself for 10-15 minutes (with some toys, her water and a litter tray).
So far none of these methods seem to be having any affect. If anything, she's more likely to bite now, and her nips can be quite hard... she never draws blood but they're definitely more painful than they were a couple of weeks ago.
I appreciate it takes time for the message to go through, and we will continue to be consistent with this, but I was wondering if anyone had any idea how long it will take before she starts to realise she shouldn't be biting? And is there anything we aren't doing that we should be to deter her? I don't remember this being such a big problem with my cats when I was growing up either.
On a similar note, her claws are also lethal at the moment, despite trimming them last week, so we are covered in scratches. She doesn't lash out with her claws, but she does tend to jump at/on us when she's mid-zoomies and she also has a tendency to try and claw her way up my leg when I'm at my desk if she wants to get on my lap for cuddles. We tried trimming her claws again but she meows and wriggles like mad and it's impossible to do as she won't hold still (we tried wrapping her in a towel but she wriggles out of it and I don't want to hold her too tight). She's going to the vets tomorrow so I'll get them trimmed there.
She's an incredibly loving and a sweetheart the rest of the time, but I'm keen to nip this behaviour in the bud as soon as possible.
I also appreciate that getting a second cat is the best option, but I don't know if our flat is big enough to get another, and our finances won't really allow it at the moment. It's definitely something I'd consider down the line though.
Any insight would be really helpful. Thank you!
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from Pets https://www.reddit.com/r/Pets/comments/l0gh8t/question_about_kitten_biting/
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