Aggressive Kitten

[PeteNYNJ]

Wow - the title would be a great name for a band.

Anyway - I got a kitten a few weeks ago.  He is 11 weeks old and very very cute.  Most of the time he is good.  Once in a while he goes nuts.   He runs around like a crazy person, jumps on the furniture, jumps on me, swats at me without provocation, etc.  This usually last about an hour.  I can't seem to stop this behaviour no matter how hard I try.  I have done the loud noises, head to the ground, water spritz. All these things seem to get him extra excited.

I have avoided rough play with him to avoid aggressive behaviour.  He has scratched at me a few times and likes to bite my toes (gently, I think because his teeth hurt).

I am a first time cat owner so I don't know what to do.  I want him to be a sweetie all the time !!!

Help!!!

[ACinKC]

1 brick + 3' of rope + pond = no more kitty problems!

Im teasing Im teasing.  Quite frankly, its a CAT.  It does what it wants, when it wants.  The following pretty much sums up a cats thoughts... as posted previously.

EXCERPTS FROM A CAT'S DIARY

Day 983 of my captivity:

My captors continue to taunt me with bizarre little dangling objects. They dine lavishly on fresh meat, while the other inmates and I are fed hash or some sort of dry nuggets. Although I make my contempt for the rations perfectly clear, I nevertheless must eat something in order to keep up my strength. The only thing that keeps me going is my dream of escape. In an attempt to disgust them, I once again vomit on the carpet. Today I decapitated a mouse and dropped its headless body at their feet. I had hoped this would strike fear into their hearts, since it clearly demonstrates what I am capable of. However, they merely made condescending comments about what a "good little hunter" I am. Bastards! There was some sort of assembly of their accomplices tonight. I was placed in solitary confinement for the duration of the event. However, I could hear the noises and smell the food. I overheard that my confinement was due to the power of "allergies." I must learn what this means, and how to use it to my advantage. Today I was almost successful in an attempt to assassinate one of my tormentors by weaving around his feet as he was walking. I must try this again tomorrow -- but at the top of the stairs. I am convinced that the other prisoners here are flunkies and snitches. The dog receives special privileges. He is regularly released - and seems to be more than willing to return. He is obviously retarded. The bird has got to be an informant. I observe him communicate with the guards regularly. I am certain that he reports my every move. My captors have arranged protective custody for him in an elevated cell, so he is safe. For now...

More or less.

[Strayboy74]

Wow - the title would be a great name for a band.

Anyway - I got a kitten a few weeks ago.  He is 11 weeks old and very very cute.  Most of the time he is good.  Once in a while he goes nuts.   He runs around like a crazy person, jumps on the furniture, jumps on me, swats at me without provocation, etc.  This usually last about an hour.  I can't seem to stop this behaviour no matter how hard I try.  I have done the loud noises, head to the ground, water spritz. All these things seem to get him extra excited.

I have avoided rough play with him to avoid aggressive behaviour.  He has scratched at me a few times and likes to bite my toes (gently, I think because his teeth hurt).

I am a first time cat owner so I don't know what to do.  I want him to be a sweetie all the time !!!

Help!!!

Time to get a super soaker water gun.  Spray him when he gets too aggressive.  He's probably still exploring his teeth and claws.  I suspect he'll grow out of it.

I had a cat that was awesome (kiwi), but she peed on me once (she was looking for attention) and I made her play a friendly game of shower.  She never peed on anyone again.

(they think the water comes directly from god!)

-joseph

[shadow011]

Hi Confused,

I think your kitty is being a kitten. He's only 11 week-old, look forward to him slowing down about a year. He's being a cat = predator..practicing his hunting skills,unfortunately you are his playmate and practice target. Does he has his own toys? When my cat was a kitten he had a scratch post with dangling balls, which kept him busy for hours. He also had a turbo scratcher, a round hollowed tube with a ball inside so each time he swats the ball, it goes in circle. Also a peacock feather works wonder, but this requires you to play with him. Exercise him before you cuddle him.

Good luck
Shadow~

[Queen Tokelove]

Aww, he sounds cute. It could be like Shadow said and it's just a stage but my cat is a year old and he is still aggressive. It may just be part of his personality. Since my cat is this way, I have adapted by actually playing a bit rough with him. But I have also noticed that when he goes into heat he will become a lil agressive to and nip at me. At those times, I use the water bottle, one that has a steady steam and not a spray. I also put it in the fridge so that it's cold. Believe it or not, I give my cat time outs when he goes into nut mode, I spray him with the water and put him in the bathroom. It works for me.

[budndallastx]

Couple things on handling the kitten ..

-- A spray bottle does wonders.  If he gets out of control, just squirt him once/twice and say NO! Eventually, he'll learn that there will be retribution for his behaviour.

-- The kitten probably needs more play so have plenty of toys for the cat.  Teach him to play fetch.  Most cats do this instinctively since they have a great prize they want to share with you.  They don't have the dead bird so the ball will suffice.  I have two cats and they both fetch when you through the sponge ball.

-- Never play rough with the kitten.  Many people are rough thinking it's good sport so the kitten never is able to differentiate when it's acceptable and when it's not.  Have kitty teasers and such and you'll be better off.  Also, fewer scars on the hand.

The kitten is just being what it is and with a little attention and love, it'll morph into a great companion !

[shadow011]

Like Queen said, it could be the personality of the cat also. I've met a handful of demon cats in my life! but most are superactive in their early years then plateau out to the point of lazyness.

Okay...intact/unspayed cats are total different creatures. I have gotten mine all spayed/neutered by 3 months. Intact males are usually agressive and unpredictable. Unspayed females...well...they can be demanding when in heat, not to mention the meowings and constant upturned behind...

Shadow~

[PeteNYNJ]

Thanks for all the advice.  I dont think it is his personality.  For the most part he is a real sweetheart.  I think he is just being a kitten.  It just gets a little overwhelming.

I have "taught" him to play catch and he loves it so we do that for about 30 mins every night.  He does need A LOT of attention - I thought cats were more solitary animals but he constantly wants to be near me if not on me (which I dont mind - he is a good cuddlebuddy). 

I am planning on getting him fixed but I really dont want to declaw because I think it is cruel. He doesnt really claw at things other then me

[allopathicholistic]

I suggest the Panic Mouse 360. Great if YOU are tired and kitty wants attention  Any questions just PM me. You can Google for more information

[milker]

Could be worse: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t51n4o4Qgjs very loving cat available for adoption

[Strayboy74]

Could be worse: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t51n4o4Qgjs very loving cat available for adoption

That cat needs to be put down.  LOL

No wonder someone got rid of it.

LOL

-joseph

[Sdgirl]

Cats need other cats to teach them that they are actually cats.  When they only have humans around, they don't learn "cat social skills" hence the rough play.  That is why they recommend getting two kittens so they play together and come to the humans for love.

This is coming from the mother of one HELL of a rough playing cat who thinks that I AM his play toy.

Lisa

[DingoBoi]

kill it now.

the kat is evil and must be destroyed.

you could also just give it away


cats have also been known to ruin everything.. see government classified image below




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[milker]

Cats need other cats to teach them that they are actually cats.  When they only have humans around, they don't learn "cat social skills" hence the rough play.  That is why they recommend getting two kittens so they play together and come to the humans for love.

This is coming from the mother of one HELL of a rough playing cat who thinks that I AM his play toy.

Lisa

Sdgirl maybe your cat can read english Change the "bite me" avatar to "lick me" and see what happens?

Milker.

[PeteNYNJ]

Oh God...two cats!!!!  I am already going on vacation with my mother in two weeks.   Why dont you just knit me a shawl and I will call it a day

[DingoBoi]

i'm going to learn to knit.

I've been waiting till I got sober, but since that won't happen, I'm going to give it a try.



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[PeteNYNJ]

UPDATE

Thanks to everyone for the advice.  We went to the vet last week and discovered the poor little guy had ear mites (yuck).  He is currently being treated for them but is in MUCH better spirits now.  They must have been driving him nuts.   He is now super affectionate and  I love him very much.

I will post pictures when I figure out had to do that.

[Queen Tokelove]

I am glad things are much better with you and your kitty. Mine is still a hellion but like I said before, I think it's his personality. But then he has 6 toes and I heard that happens from imbreeding, so maybe mine is a bit off. But I love him dearly. Can't wait to see the pics.

[budndallastx]

Cats will slow down as they get older so not to worry.  A second cat is not that much more problem.  I feared getting a second cat but they turned out to be buddies and even sleep together.  They'll rough house all day so you're not the sole source of entertainment.  One thing to note though is the with two cats, one ends up being the dominant cat so you've established a hierarchy.  Sometimes this is not a good thing.

Also, from the cat perspective, you're "Mom" since you provide for all his needs.  Domestic cats tend to never completely grow up and always will love their "mom".

Also, if the cat remains indoors (never outside), it'll be less likely to get earmites, worms, and other good things.  Toxoplasmosis is transmitted from eating dead birds so if the cat never is outside not to worry.

Tom

[Ann]

You can prevent recurrence of ear mites by mixing some aromatherapy oils together and putting it in his ears once a week or so. Here's the recipe:

One drop each of Tea Tree, Lavender and Chamomile mixed into one teaspoon of olive oil.

I use a shot glass to mix it up in and use an eye-dropper to administer, after warming the mix by holding the shot glass cupped in my hand. I have also mixed this up without the Chamomile and it seems to work just the same.

You can also prevent (to a degree) fleas by squeezing a garlic oil capsule into his food. Fleas hate the taste of garlic in the cat's (or dog's) blood.

I also use Tea Tree oil on any injuries my cats get. Cats heal very quickly and often end up with an abscess because the skin closes over any bacteria, sealing it in. The Tea Tree oil will disinfect the wound and keep it disinfected.

One of my cats has an injured paw-pad right now and I'm doing the TT treatment several times a day, just because of where the injury is. Cuts elsewhere I treat once or twice a day, depending on the size of the wound. It works very well and none of my cats have had to go to the vets with an abscess as a result. Before I learned this little trick, it meant a trip to the vet nearly every time they got cut. Tea Tree oil has saved me a fortune!

Cats hate TT but it's usually only the first time you use it on them that they really object. Once you use it on them once, they seem to realise that it helps and will allow you to put it on them when it's again needed. Cats are smart like that!

I'm glad you discovered the source of your kitty's behaviour problem and I'm sure you two will have many happy, loving years to come.

Ann

PS - oh, and it doesn't matter if the cat licks any of the oils I've listed - they're non-toxic to cats.

[Queen Tokelove]

Wow. Thanks for the tip, Ann. I'm going to use that for my cat. I have a question...Has anyone had/have a male cat that sprays in his litterbox? My cat does this which I am very grateful but just thought it unusual...

[CaptCarl]

   I  love cats, and had a great one who I unfortunately had to give up recently. If you want to have fun with him/her just roll upa small piece of aluminum foil in a ball and throw it on the floor. It will make for hours of amusement for the both of you. For a real laughfest, get the little booger a "pet" hamster....

   Capt.Carl

[Jean-Yves]

Wow. Thanks for the tip, Ann. I'm going to use that for my cat. I have a question...Has anyone had/have a male cat that sprays in his litterbox? My cat does this which I am very grateful but just thought it unusual...

My big male, Rasputin, has always tried to mark his corner of the litterbox. Problem is that it hit the wall about 5 inches above the rim of the box. I had to make a shield, covered with trash bag, to catch it and let it run into the box. He's just so much bigger than the other two cats. 35 pounds of solid muscle.
Jean-Yves

[Ann]

My big male, Rasputin,...He's just so much bigger than the other two cats. 35 pounds of solid muscle.
Jean-Yves

  WOW Rasputin sure is a big boy! Did you have any idea he was going to grow so large when you named him? The real Rasputin was a big boy too!

Has anyone had/have a male cat that sprays in his litterbox? My cat does this which I am very grateful but just thought it unusual...

Queen, one of my male cats does it in the bathtub. If he's gotta do it in the house, I'm glad he does it somewhere easy to clean up. He's not a tom anymore either, but he was snipped when he was a few years old so I guess the spraying habit was already ingrained.

Ann

[Queen Tokelove]

It's good to know, it's just not my cat. He hits his mark in the litterbox, simply because he only goes in one spot of the box, which I found strange as well.

Ann, in regards to getting him snipped, will it make a cat gain weight and be less playful? I love my cat's personality and I wouldn't want that to change.

[Jean-Yves]

WOW Rasputin sure is a big boy! Did you have any idea he was going to grow so large when you named him? The real Rasputin was a big boy too!
Ann

He was just a small kitten when he was named (my avatar is his baby picture).
He just kept on growing. He's now 4 years old. He was snipped when he was 5 months old, and he is still as platful as he was before, His weight has nothing to do with the snipping either. he isn't fat and lazy as snipped males are usually portrayed. He is quite active and muscled. I have seen him jump about 5 feet straight up to catch a moth.
Jean-Yves

[sdcabincrew74]

He was just a small kitten when he was named (my avatar is his baby picture).
He just kept on growing. He's now 4 years old. He was snipped when he was 5 months old, and he is still as platful as he was before, His weight has nothing to do with the snipping either. he isn't fat and lazy as snipped males are usually portrayed. He is quite active and muscled. I have seen him jump about 5 feet straight up to catch a moth.
Jean-Yves

Oh my, I thought I had a big kitty mine is only a 25 pound tom.  No fat either, just lots of muscle and VERY active.  Keeps my 100 pound ridgeback dog in place!