[the_player]

I have recently obtained a 2 month old kitten about a week ago and it is acting very strange. For the first week it has been relatively well behaved, playing friendly, using litter tray etc etc. It seems to be getting increasingly more and more agressive and wild though... Every time we try to go near it, it has its ears back, mouth open and claws out looking really scared and ready to fight...

When it does eventually wear itself out it will sit on my knee and allow you to stroke it, but it will then revert back to going mad after it has had a little sleep... It is really starting to drive me mad! any suggestions ?

Thanks


Ben.

 

[DanaMichelle]

Feral kitten....?

I work for a local shelter. Occassionally if we get a litter of feral kittens we will work with them and tame them. I often wonder how those kittens do once they are placed in a home. When they are at the shelter they are with people all day everyday until they are ready to be adopted out. I wonder if they tend to revert back to their feral state once they are placed in a home with fewer people who are not able to spend every minute of the day with them. Maybe you adopted a feral cat?
On the other hand, this doesn't sound out of the ordinary for a kitten. My cat moonbeam used to do similar things when she wanted to play. She would arch her back, eyes wide, hissing and sort of hop backwards with a possessed-exorsist sort of look. This is a good age to teach your kitten not to play with your hands or feet. Toy mice, krinkle balls and superballs are great toys but there is also a product called the kitten mitten that will protect your hands. Then again, I prefer the ultimate in cat/human entertainment....bring home a second kitten. Well, good luck!

 

[kitkat]

Congrats on your new kitten. It sounds like skittish kitten behavior somewhat but you do have to give it time for the kitten to get adjusted well and used to the surroundings and the new people. Try playing with the kitten a lot, they usually have tons of energy and probably will be adjusting soon. :lol:

You refer to your kitty as "it", is this a boy or a girl and does he/she have a name?

 

[the_player]

Well, it seems to have chilled out a bit today after being reprimanded with lots of stern "NO"s when it trys to bite my hands!! The cat as far as I am aware is a boy although not 100% on that, going to get it checked at the vet next week when it goes for its vaccinations. It does have a name however "Bobby"....

 

[2sillycats]

I agree with the second kitten suggestion. You kitten needs to burn off his energy and the only way he can do that is with play. Well, either that or be totally distructive. We humans have things we need to do and can't play as our kittens need us too. Having a second kitten will definitely help!

But if that isn't feasible, you need to play with him as much as you possibly can. That will help your relationship with him all the way around. Parent/furkid bonding time! Plus make sure he has plenty of toys to play with on his own. But interactive play is the best.

 

[ForJazz]

Kittens need to be taught, yes. Just be sure you're not too hard on it -- Bobby's in the stage of his life where he is very impressionable. And be sure that the kitten feels safe. If he is going to hide under a couch, don't grab him out and get him. If he's trying to run away from you, just let him go. If he is not making himself accessible to you, it probably means he wants to be alone, and you have to give him this space for him to feel safe and comfortable, and to relax. Your cat will never relax if there is no place in the house where he can go without the fear of getting grabbed against his will. Sometimes this is the problem with cats who seem overly agressive.

However it doesn't sound that unusual for a kitten. He probably just has tons of energy and isn't sure how to deal with it. But Bobby *should* be taught how to play nicely. Use a spray bottle for discipline, as well as your voice. If this works well then eventually you can phase out the spray bottle and just use your voice, and he'll listen very well. Just remember that if his behavior is less than desirable to you, there are things to consider besides discipline. Just try to be understanding of your cat's age, his surroundings, and his adjustment to his new home.

 

[DanaMichelle]

You can never have enough cats or kittens...

So we've established that kitten needs lots of fun exersize....easiest way to find this? A second kitten! And really, I'd bite too if people kept calling me "it"..... :twisted: