new kittens

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Julie - 21 Jun 2004 05:05 GMT

Hi all, I just got some new kittens a week ago. Brother and sister, they are
now almost 7 weeks old. They love to be held and get all kinds of attention,
but I have one problem. When I'm petting them, they start purring and
nuzzling, but also bite my fingers, hard! How do I teach them not to do
that. For now I just pull my finger away and gently say no. Any suggestions?
Jules

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Laura R. - 21 Jun 2004 05:30 GMT

circa Sun, 20 Jun 2004 23:05:54 -0500, in rec.pets.cats.health+behav,
Julie (gtpgirl2002@yahoo.com) said,

> Hi all, I just got some new kittens a week ago. Brother and sister, they are
> now almost 7 weeks old. They love to be held and get all kinds of attention,
> but I have one problem. When I'm petting them, they start purring and
> nuzzling, but also bite my fingers, hard! How do I teach them not to do
> that. For now I just pull my finger away and gently say no. Any suggestions?

Pretty much continue what you've been doing. :-)

Laura

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Karen Chuplis - 21 Jun 2004 05:47 GMT

> circa Sun, 20 Jun 2004 23:05:54 -0500, in rec.pets.cats.health+behav,
> Julie (gtpgirl2002@yahoo.com) said,
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
>
> Laura

yup. That's what I did. Remember they are BABY babies at that age. If you
just are consistant, they will learn.

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Jeffery P. - 21 Jun 2004 07:04 GMT

>Hi all, I just got some new kittens a week ago. Brother and sister, they are
>now almost 7 weeks old. They love to be held and get all kinds of attention,
>but I have one problem. When I'm petting them, they start purring and
>nuzzling, but also bite my fingers, hard! How do I teach them not to do
>that. For now I just pull my finger away and gently say no. Any suggestions?
>Jules

I have a 15 week old kitten who is still doing the same thing. She
started at about 4 weeks and I have tried everything from pulling away
and giving a firm no, to spraying her in the face with a water bomb
but nothing seems to have worked. Hopefully your kittens will learn to
stop the biting sooner than mine. Unfortunately, I am starting to
think that my kittie is just plain bad. hehe Anyway, if you have or
get any other suggestions that maybe I could try, feel free to write
me.

Jeffery

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Wendy - 21 Jun 2004 12:16 GMT

> >Hi all, I just got some new kittens a week ago. Brother and sister, they are
> >now almost 7 weeks old. They love to be held and get all kinds of attention,
[quoted text clipped - 13 lines]
>
> Jeffery

When they bite give a high pitched "ouch", say "no" and put them down. If
the kitten comes right back and does it again, say "ouch", "no" and give
them a time out in another room for a couple of minutes. Don't give them the
attention they want if they engage in behavior that isn't acceptable (biting
and scratching). Do this every time they bite and it won't be long before
they stop. The high pitched ouch is similar to the sound cats make when they
are playing with each other and it's gotten too rough.

When you play with them don't use your hand use a toy.

W

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Marievulsion - 21 Jun 2004 15:05 GMT

>When you play with them don't use your hand use a toy.

Excellent point! Toys are for playing, hands are for petting. Boundry
establishment can be crucial at this age. No one wants a full grown cat trying
to disembowel their hand even if 'he's just playing'.

Ouch

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kaeli - 21 Jun 2004 15:20 GMT

When they bite, let out a screech like they've killed you, pull your
hand away like you touched a hot stove, and put them down and walk
briskly away. Do not pay attention to them again for a couple minutes.
Act like they hurt you physically and emotionally (hurt your feelings).
It's what other kitties do to tell them they're too rough. Kittens
removed from their littermates and mama before 12 weeks of age have not
learned bite inhibition as well as those who've stayed the full time, so
be patient. Bite inbition is learned between 6 and 12 weeks while they
play with their siblings and mom.

Also, never use your hands as a toy. You don't want to encourage them to
bite at flesh, even in play.

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