Help! My new kitten won't stop biting!
By Suzieqmom
@Suzieqmom (2755)
United States
August 8, 2010 7:03am CST
We have a new Tuxedo kitten named Muffin who lost his mother (and his home, presumably) when he was only 1 week old. He is now 4 months old, in great shape, happy as can be, and has a terrible habit--he bites anything and everything all day long, especially ME. I know he is teething, and that is part of it, and I have also read that kittens who get separated from their moms too early tend to develop this biting/suckling habit. At first the family did not mind, because he was so little when we first adopted him (2 1/2 months old). But now that his adult teeth are coming in, his biting really hurts, and it is constant. He LOVES to be cuddled and snuggled, but every time anyone picks him up, or when he climbs into a lap, or on a shoulder, or whatever, he BITES. And it's not just quick nips, either--he chomps down with his teeth and then really digs in, suckling and biting and trying his hardest NOT to let go of your flesh. So I am desperately looking for suggestions on how to get him to stop. Thanks!
2 responses
@Britt952 (10)
•
10 Aug 10
i remember watching a programme on cats that bite and apparently the worst thing to do is say'ow' because it gives a signal to your kitty that you respond,even negatively to biting,it was a long time ago that i watched the programme but from what i remember and from what i know from personal experience as i have 11 cats,if you can,gently but firmly unhook your cats jaws from you without saying'ow' if possible as it gives negative feedback,remember you are pack leader and when you see your cat go to bite again,stop him in his tracks..say a firm 'no' and put him on the floor and keep repeating the process until it h and gets put on the floor,if you can get your friends and family to do the same,good luck and please let me know how it goes
@Suzieqmom (2755)
• United States
10 Aug 10
Very good advice--I will try it immediately! He wants to be a lap cap, and we want him to be, but not if he bites every time he sits on someone's lap. And it's not even just the biting--it's the fact that he latches on with his little fangs and just won't let go, purring and suckling all the while. . .maybe we should have named him Dracula instead of Muffin!
@Britt952 (10)
•
11 Aug 10
oh,bless him,it is more difficult as he lost his mum so young and as you say,he wants to suckle,as he is so young i think he will be able to associate biting,nibbling with being put on the floor,please let me know if stops nibbling/biting after a bit of training,lol,bless him
@ElicBxn (63252)
• United States
8 Aug 10
this is a really hard one (since I've got 2 adults who bite I know)
Your best result might be to find a soft toy and redirect his biting to it.
You might also lightly flick his nose when he does it to you guys.
Its a hard habit to break, so you and your family have to be consistent, if he does it and gets the punishment (flick) for biting and the reward (toy) for biting it he might redirect his attention.
@Suzieqmom (2755)
• United States
8 Aug 10
I did get him a chew toy to put in his mouth (gently) when he is biting us, but he keeps dragging it off and hiding it when I'm not looking! I have even tried substituting his own tail for my finger, hoping to show him that it actually hurts. The main problem is, he's not doing it out of aggression, it's when he's needy or wants snuggling. For him it's such a comfort thing that it is tough to be firm with him--it is literally the biting with the suckling he would be doing to his mommy cat. It wouldn't bother us if it didn't hurt!
I will try the positive & negative at the same time, and attempt to get my kids to do it consistently, too. Thanks!
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