Reptile & Amphibian Forums

How do I stop ricky from nipping? He does it constantly/ We will be sleeping and get a bite (Bayla wakes up crying from it) or petting him and get bit, or he will walk by and nip. Bayla is terrified of Ricky and does not want to play with him. She adores gentle and loving Levi though. HELP!
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Mindy

Riker is kind of a biter as well, but not to Ricky's level. I think it is a kind of kitten love and play because my two spend a lot of play time biting each other. When we were petting him or playing, sometimes Riker would bite down pretty hard. If he bit me, I'd immediately just tap him on the nose and say "no." I didn't yell or tap him hard, but a little thump and a no. Then I would quit petting or playing with him. I'm pretty happy that he has stopped biting us (reletively quickly since we've only had them two weeks).

I am not the master of all cat knowledge, so maybe others will have a suggestion.
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Ms KC

Here are two photos of Ricky, I will add Levi at some point.

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Mindy

What a face...I don't know if I could get made at that face...I might have to let him bite me!!!

Seriously, just do as was suggested before...little taps on the nose and tell him "no, no"...Bentley, Alastair, and Finster all went through it...it's my least favorite part of kittenhood...took a few weeks and he was done with it...if I remember correctly it was 5-6 mos and around teething time...baby teeth fell out...all done with inapropriate biting. Ricky seems to be about this age???

But to this day the three mine have drag out, knock down, wrestling matches which I swear has to hurt...sometimes I separate them but they just go back at it again...biting, kicking, pouncing...then ten minutes later they are all lying in a pile somewhere sleeping...that's just how the boys seem to play.

I think Ricky may also think he is playing and doesn't realize he is hurting Bayla...I don't have any female cats, so I don't know if they "play" the same way, which might be why Bayla is not happy about it...

hope this helps...and please post pics of Levi soon...I saw his kitten pic in the gallery and melted...

Bayla is my 5 year old daughter, and she does not understand kittys' rough playing, and I hope it is a phase. The kittens were born on Oct. 30th. They are now about 13 weeks I believe. I am in love with them!!!
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Mindy

What a precious little guy!! Ricky looks a lot like my Eddie did at that age.

As for the nipping, Ricky needs to learn what behavior is acceptable and what is not, just like any child. I do hope you will follow the good advice about a gentle tap on the nose and a firm "no" -- He will learn quickly, but only if he is taught!

More pics soon, please. We want to see that other beautiful baby!

Carol, Emily, & Eddie

>>Bayla is my 5 year old daughter, and she does not understand kittys' rough playing, and I hope it is a phase. The kittens were born on Oct. 30th. They are now about 13 weeks I believe. I am in love with them!!!
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>>Mindy

Ricky is quite the cutie.

I've heard that a gentle tap on the nose accompanied by a stern "NO" is effective. Also, when Ricky bites, simply put him down and leave. He will soon associate the "desertion" with his biting and will modify his behavior.

I agree that this is pretty much a kitten thing....I have scars on my hands and wrists from playing with Chris. When he was younger, he loved to play rough.

As for Bayla, it may be a good idea to keep her away from Ricky just for now or CLOSELY supervise when she pets him and plays with him. She doesn't need to get bitten, it will alter the way she looks at pets forever.