Hi, everyone:
Here's the thing - I bought a gorgeous cream bi-color female (Baby Jazz) (she was born 8/1/07). No other animals in the house and I live alone. I've pretty much given her the run of the house, but the older she gets, the more she is biting me - and hard. She also loves cords of any kind. I have tried to discipline her by yelling NO in a commanding voice, a spray bottle with water, - you name it, I've tried it. Someone even told me to put a little cider vinegar in the water - well, turns out she likes vinegar. She has so many toys and play things, but she insists on biting everything, but especially ME! Nothing deters her from being so naughty. I know she's just a baby, but nothing scares her from doing these things - she has torn curtains and shades; today she was climbing up the shower curtain!!!! PLEASE tell me she will calm down in the not too distant future. In the meantime, any suggestions on how to curb this biting thing? I'm a little overwhelmed - can you imagine? Overwhelmed by a five pounder!!! Thanks in advance.
Celine
P.S. One other thing, she is alone a great deal of the time - I'm gone most of the day, and she doesn't sleep with me yet because she tried to shred everything in my bedroom. I do leave a t.v. on for her all the time in one room or another.
Hi Celine
It would be interesting to know how old she was when you got her. Have you spoken to her breeder for advice?
She may be teething and having a bad time of it (most kits breeze through this but some kits do suffer) - is she drooling at all? May be worth a vet check if you feel there may be a problem with her teeth.
Has she a decent cat climber/activity frame - this is a must for an indoor cat? The other thing it could be is that she is frustrated and bored. Don't leave the same toys out every day - alternate them. Is there a possibility you could get her a companion - it is probably a little unfair for her at her age to be left the whole day on her own - she does need interaction. I personally as a breeder will never ever sell a single kitten to a household where there are no other pets and the prospective owners are out at work all day. I suggest they can take two from me (at a very big discount!) or ask them to perhaps take a kitten from a shelter as a companion.
I sincerely hope things get better for you both. Would love to see a photo of her.
Karen
Karen, Sounds like baby Jazz is close to my kittens age. Gus was born 2007 in July. Gus craves love and attention like no other kitten I have ever had. Gus is also an only pet at my house. We play with Gus A LOT!! He does do a fair amount of running around. He has not shredded anything. I keep his nails clipped fairly short. If Jazz won't let you do this, take her to a Petsmart or the vet and get them clipped.Gus does do a bit of biting too, but other kittens I have had did this as well. They did outgrow this. I took a pair of old socks and paired them like you would when you are doing laundry. I then sewed a lot of really BIG buttons though all layers of the sock bundle. When Gus gets into his biting mode, I give him the sock. I wiggle and jiggle it. He lies on his back chewing the sock and the buttons and rabbit kicking the whole thing with his back feet. Play hard with her before bedtime. If she won't settle down when you bring her to bed, put her out but try letting her back in a little later. I think you are missing a lot of bonding time by not sleeping with her. Gus has been "put out" only twice in the 6 weeks we have had him. He is always really glad to come back in and just cuddles right up and purrrs up a storm. Let her watch you take a bath, do the dishes, whatever. Just include her in everything, pretty soon she will be your little shadow. Hang in there, I hope it gets better.
heyJude Wrote:Karen, Sounds like baby Jazz is close to my kittens age. Gus was born 2007 in July. Gus craves love and attention like no other kitten I have ever had. Gus is also an only pet at my house. We play with Gus A LOT!! He does do a fair amount of running around. He has not shredded anything. I keep his nails clipped fairly short. If Jazz won't let you do this, take her to a Petsmart or the vet and get them clipped.Gus does do a bit of biting too, but other kittens I have had did this as well. They did outgrow this. I took a pair of old socks and paired them like you would when you are doing laundry. I then sewed a lot of really BIG buttons though all layers of the sock bundle. When Gus gets into his biting mode, I give him the sock. I wiggle and jiggle it. He lies on his back chewing the sock and the buttons and rabbit kicking the whole thing with his back feet. Play hard with her before bedtime. If she won't settle down when you bring her to bed, put her out but try letting her back in a little later. I think you are missing a lot of bonding time by not sleeping with her. Gus has been "put out" only twice in the 6 weeks we have had him. He is always really glad to come back in and just cuddles right up and purrrs up a storm. Let her watch you take a bath, do the dishes, whatever. Just include her in everything, pretty soon she will be your little shadow. Hang in there, I hope it gets better.
Heyjude:
Thanks for all your helpful information. We are making progress - she is now sleeping with me through the night (or most of it, anyway). I also bought her a larger "kitty condo" with plenty of room to climb and play. You are so right about the craving of attention and she stays with me at all times, no matter what room I am in or what I am doing. She has an appt. with her vet on 12/1, so I'll ask them to clip her nails down a bit. My sister has her 2 brothers and she is going through the same biting thing with one of them. I play with her constantly - I've never seen a kitten with SO much energy. I love her to pieces and am so glad I have her. I'll keep you posted on our progress.
Thanks again.
Celine
Another suggestion -- be sure that you never let your kitten play with your fingers, as this encourages biting. Does your kitten have a high-quality scratching post? This is also an essential piece of kitten equipment.