Hotay, so we have a new kitten. She’s about 6-7 months old now, and she is in the habit of attacking anything that moves under the sheet, so as a result my wife and I have several scratches and punctures in various parts of our feet/legs. She also tends to claw where ever she wants.
What’s the best method to keep her from attacking us in bed, climbing on counters, and to use the scratching post we got her?
John
I guess my first question is whether you play with her/let her attack your fingers/toes in general. If so, you should probably stop that. Let the hellraiser understand your flesh is her friend. Usually a few loud shrieks/kicks stopped my punk. You could also ban the bugger from the bed. As long as my guy was a kitten, he put a billion holes into the mattress and sheets to climb the bed (he couldn’t jump all the way). I tried to stop him from the bed but eventually relented. Anyway, he sleeps with us now but he’s a 3 yr old now.
The counters was a tough one. We used some citrus based cleaners on the counters but that didn’t do much. I had to stick double sided tape (or just make traps with packing tape) and left them on the counter whenever we weren’t home/asleep. (Also, as soon as he gets on the counter if we’re there, I spray him with water or just snap my fingers/clap). You have to be persistent and consistent. Never let the bugger up there. Anyway, finallly, one day I came home and he had a BALL of tape stuck to his face and body. It was hilarious and he was pissed. Anyway he hasn’t done it since (besides a few times at night when we hear the obvious sound of him jumping off the counter in the kitchen.)
The scratch post was natural for the twerp, get something BIG and stable. Besides that, I’ve heard of putting catnip on it but it doesn’t really make a difference for us. Also, congratulate him/her when they use the post by giving them treats when you see them use it.
I think slowtwich requires a picture of the kitten btw.
If you figure that out, you have a million dollar product. 
The attacking under the covers will decrease as she gets older. She’s a kitten, that’s what they do. 
Get a scratching post asap. And put it in the place she hangs out the most. That way when she gets up from her nap, it is handy for her. In the past I have ground catnip into the post, but that doesn’t tend to work on kittens.
Good luck. Kittens are so much fun.
The spray bottle works pretty well for keeping our cat in line. For countertops if I catch her I try to get the bottle and hide then spray her so she doesn’t think it was me and instead thinks its a bad consequence of getting on the counter.
She’s about 6-7 months old now, and she is in the habit of attacking anything that moves under the sheet
That is their natural instinct and all kittens will do that, it’s what they do. It’s like buying a dog and then working to stop them from barking instead of trying to control how often they bark. With animals, you should know what they are like before you get one instead of getting them and trying to break their nature.
Kittens will grow out of those behaviors.
To be frank, your kitten needs a friend. You are describing classic single kitten syndrome. If you have another cat in the house it may be too old to provide the play stimulation the kitten needs. The kitten learns the biting and scratching consequences from the other kitten. They learn what hurts.
Here is an article from the shelter I used to volunteer at: http://www.meowcatrescue.org/singlekitten.html
And yeah, they will pounce on stuff that moves. They are predators.
She’s about 6-7 months old now, and she is in the habit of attacking anything that moves under the sheet
That is their natural instinct and all kittens will do that, it’s what they do. It’s like buying a dog and then working to stop them from barking instead of trying to control how often they bark. With animals, you should know what they are like before you get one instead of getting them and trying to break their nature.
Kittens will grow out of those behaviors.
Though you can and should redirect the attack behavior away from human flesh. When ours were into play attacking at that age, if they went for people they got a firm ‘No!’ and the mamacat paw of discipline (ie. a light but noticable tap of two fingers between the ears)
Then a minute or two later, we’d dangle a mid-sized stuffed animal in front of them and rassle with them that way to their heart’s content (or until we had to go to work or something) Got to the point where if they wanted to play mock attack with them they’d go and stand next to ‘Monkey’ and give us that special feline stare to let us know what they were thinking.
Where are the PICTURES of the new kitten?
Clearly the kitten is offended because you have not yet posted her picture on ST.
The attacking under the covers will decrease as she gets older. She’s a kitten, that’s what they do.
+1 my cat did it all the time up to ~ 1.5 - 2 years old, then it basically stopped (guess he got bored of it)
She’s about 6-7 months old now, and she is in the habit of attacking anything that moves under the sheet
That is their natural instinct and all kittens will do that, it’s what they do. It’s like buying a dog and then working to stop them from barking instead of trying to control how often they bark. With animals, you should know what they are like before you get one instead of getting them and trying to break their nature.
Kittens will grow out of those behaviors.
Thank you for the holier than thou condescension. It’s much appreciated. We have had cats before, It’s just been a long time (20+ years) since I had a kitten. I’m not trying to “break her nature”, I was just hoping for some tips on mitigating the damage to the lower extremities. I figured if nothing else she’d grow out of it eventually.
John
Where are the PICTURES of the new kitten?
You’ll like this, she has tiger stripes!! (And leopard spots on her belly). Name is Kona (I suggested it jokingly, and it stuck for some reason.)
http://i41.tinypic.com/2crav04.jpg
…squirt gun solves ALMOST all problems…one cat was a quicker learner than the other short bus (and soaked) kitty
…and ypu know the rule – doesnt exist without pictures!!
-Ron
…squirt gun solves ALMOST all problems…one cat was a quicker learner than the other short bus (and soaked) kitty
…and ypu know the rule – **doesnt exist without pictures!! **
-Ron
Ahem. look up.
Cute!
She’s sporting some serious claws!!!
You need to train your cat.
I crate trained mine:
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c74/desertdude111/cratetrained.jpg
Then taught it to sleep with jonnyo (which seems to border on cruelty to animals or jonnyo not sure which, probably animals)
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c74/desertdude111/100_0314.jpg
When my cat didn’t listen I used the taser on him to make him compliant.
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c74/desertdude111/flatout.jpg
You just have to show the cat who is boss.
I’ve got a tabby with spotted belly too. Hard to resist that belly.
If you haven’t already start trimming her claws. That will help the pain level and she needs to get used to it now.
Little buggers. Good thing they are so adorable. I decided that was their survival mechanism. If they weren’t cute we’d throw them out on their furry butts.
I’ve got a tabby with spotted belly too. Hard to resist that belly.
If you haven’t already start trimming her claws. That will help the pain level and she needs to get used to it now.
Little buggers. Good thing they are so adorable. I decided that was their survival mechanism. If they weren’t cute we’d throw them out on their furry butts.
Yeah, we do trim her claws. We generally get a paw at a time before the squirms take over, then it’s another 1/2 hour before we can corral her to do the other one.
And x2 on your last statement.
John
The cat sleeping with Jonnyo does not look like the big fat one in the crate above. Was that Gravey as a kitten? Or was he skinny once?
PS I think the cat is the boss considering that it meows, you get up and feed it. Who is bossing who in this relationship?!