The Cat Bible Q&A
Tracie welcomes any and all questions about cats AND dogs on both her live radio shows. Call in to DOG TALK on Saturdays from 11-Noon (EST) to 800-394-8830 or Wednesdays 8-9 PM (EST) to CAT CHAT 866-675-6675. (You don't need to have Sirius to call in!)
Biting Kittens
We adopted a real cute kitten from the shelter and they told us he was an orphan, but he was real sweet and didn't scratch when he played so we took him home. He still doesn't scratch, but he does bite. And draws blood. Not only when he's playing, but when he's petted too. The vet has put him on medication and it seems to have helped somewhat, he's stopped drawing blood at least. But I hate to have him on medication indefinitely. Are there any behavioral things we can try? Oh, he's also much worse with my husband, and he's the one who feeds him! A friend suggested that maybe there is an alpha male thing going on there. Any help would be much appreciated.
Thanks,
Stacy
Dear Stacy -
I turned to the official behavior consultant for CAT CHAT, our own Dear Sally, with your problems and both of our first eactions ere:
Medication?? For a kitten???
This not usual nor in any way recommended - we are both shocked that a vet would expose a kitten to unecessary medications. Kitten biting is not unusual -- they learn proper biting etiquette from their moms and littermates (just as puppies do). This kitty may have been separated at a tender young age and not been taught proper manners.
The first suggestion is to use fishing pole toys for play to channel the kitten's energy.
Second, keep petting sessions short, so he doesn't get over-stimulated. And reward him with a treat when he's good.
Maybe try clicker training to "mark" good behavior - there is more about this on the Q&A's of CatChatRadio.com. Alternately, you may want to have a private session by phone or email with Dear Sally so she can talk you throguh many of these ideas.
Never use your hands as play toys -- use the pole, toss toys, make sure he has a few good scratchers around the house and toys e can grab and wrestle.
Kittens almost always grow out of biting - you just want to minimize the opportunities they have to inflict their teeth on your flesh!
Tracie Hotchner
The information contained in the answers posted on this board comes from THE CAT BIBLE: Everything Your Cat Expects You To Know, and from CAT CHAT™ The Radio Show, broadcasting live on Martha Stewart Living Radio, Channel 112 on Sirius Satellite Radio, every Wednesday from 8-9 p.m. EST.
Note: Some of the answers to the questions below are explained in greater detail in PDF files. Go here to get the free Adobe Acrobat reader.
Click on the button above to download Adobe's FREE Acrobat Reader.
DISCLAIMER: Please be aware that the advice I give on the air or in emails – or those you see posted here – are not intended to take the place of a veterinarian's advice or expertise. I say this to protect myself from being misunderstood or from your over-reliance on my advice in situations where your pet may be seriously ill and you would mistakenly delay seeking medical intervention. While I am confident in the research-based facts and common-sense advice I can offer, it is never meant to be used at the exclusion of trained, accredited and board certified professionals. But I also have this disclaimer to protect your dog – because what you learn from me is not intended to take the place of medical care or professional evaluation – on the contrary, my desire is to equip you with information that will allow you to enjoy your pets to the fullest, and also to encourage you to seek professional medical attention whenever there are physical symptoms or an overall change in your pet's attitude.
Tracie welcomes any and all questions about cats AND dogs on both her live radio shows. Call in to DOG TALK on Saturdays from 11-Noon (EST) to 800-394-8830 or Wednesdays 8-9 PM (EST) to CAT CHAT 866-675-6675. (You don't need to have Sirius to call in!)
