Reptile & Amphibian Forums

We got a kitten last week, and he has a biting problem to the extent that at least once during the night he wakes my five year old daughter out of a deep sleep by biting her and reducing her to tears. I know it is unprovoked because I have witnessed it. He also bites me. There is no warning, the ears do not pin back, his eyes do not dialate, he is often purring even, but this hurts ahd has my daughter terrified of him. Please help!
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Mindy

The kitten is probably just thinking he's playing. But the biting needs to stop for sure, especially if your daughter is in pain.

Good luck!
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Smile, it will make them wonder what you are up to!

If it happened at times that we were playing it would make sense, but it doesn't. Also we only use toys like cat dancer to play and not our hands already. He does it most when we are sleeping. It is not being done aggressively either, so I am really perplexed by this.
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Mindy

This cat is just playing and isn't doing it to hurt no one but he should not be doing it.I know this may not be popular but take a roll up news paper and tap him on the nose (not hard) when he bites.It may just take one time.It will let him know that the biting you don't want.
Lou

It is not in a playing context though. I just left the bedroom with the kittens because he just bit my daughter's ear while she was sleeping. She was not moving, she was not bothering him or inviting it in any way. He woke me tonight by biting my cheek. taping him on the nose and saying "no biting" has not worked. Putting him in time out in his carrier has not worked. Although it may be teething, I have gotten him chew toys and he will not touch them. I offered it in place of my arm and he will not go for it. I am really upset over this because he is otherwise a sweet and affectionate little boy.
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Mindy

Mindy back to the drawing board.Theres got to be a answer.
He is just being a kitten but his teeth are sharp.How about the old water squirting trick.Its tough when they are that age.
Come Madame Alto give this young lady a answer.
Lou

This seems to be a form of playing or non-aggressive biting. He doesn't quite seem to "get it" so this is a problem. About the only thing I can suggest is to keep going with the time out in the carrier. Hitting him on the nose might actually increase aggressiveness - as I learned the hard way wiht one of my cats! The carrier "time-outs" might actually need to last for a couple of hours before you see results! Tough, but he may need some tough love. Be sure he has enough to "chew on", although it seems like you are working that aspect. Try the high-pitched, loud OUCH when he bites too, rather than the instinctive NO you want to shout. Your daughter might want to try this as a "game" if you urge her on. She is still so young, that it's hard for her to truly understand what's going on. Also try keeping the kitties away from your daughter when she is sleeping.
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Smile, it will make them wonder what you are up to!

I think I got the answer.I just remembered back when Babba was a kitten and he used to stick those needle claws in me.Well i took a pair of finger nail clippers and snipped the ends of the claws off and IT WORKED.Believe it will work.
Lou

It sounds to me like the kitten is playing with your daughter when she's sleeping and doesn't realize that it hurts. Your kitten needs to learn that this is a painful act. When she does this while your daughter is asleep, removing her to her carrier seems to be the best solution. If a time-out in the carrier doesn't work, I'd close my daughter's bedroom door so that the cat couldn't get to her when she's sleeping. Or perhaps you could shut the cat in a separate room at bedtime.

I truly hope that you find a solution to this problem.
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Ruby and the Kitties
Simba, Samantha, Katrina & KatyKatt
Meow!! Meow!! Meow!! Meow!!

How wonderful to do nothing and then rest afterwards. Meow!

I did go out and got Bitter Apple, and sprayed it on our feet and hands and pyjamas and put a touch on our cheeks, and I got one toe bite then he left us alone, so maybe that is the secret for now. I will keep applying it until he stops taking the test bite for several days, also I got him some chew toys.
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Mindy

Well, he is still nipping. I spoke to the breeder, and I am wondering if it could be an attempt to nurse. He is the runt of the litter and even though he was a full 12 weeks old when I brought them home, he still snacked, likely for the comfort. Any suggestions?
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Mindy

do you know the history of the kitten? like was he the only one or part of a litter. sometimes a kitten raised by itself does not know how to play right an will get to rough. it doesn't know when to stop. i would say if you can get another kitten the same age so it would have another kitten to learn to play with instead of you guys.

other then that i really dont' know what i can offer or what you can do either except what has been suggested. i agree with cliping his little sharp nails.

He is one of three kittens in a litter and I actually have his litter-mate brother as well. The brother is as gentle as can be!
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Mindy

well, i dont'know what else to tell you. if the kitten is biting your daughter? maybe she should be the one to put him in the 'time out kennel' so he will know she doesn't like it. but with your supervision. i think to he is being the dominate one here. not sure how to reverse rolls with cats like that. now if it was dogs the dog whisper guy could help you. hopefully he will grow out of it also.