Cooling Kitten Play Aggression
Even sweet kittens develop “the crazies” …they just cain’t hep it! Image Copr Maria Magnus/Flickr
It never fails when a new kitten arrives. We oooooh and ahhh and the lil’ snuggle baby seduces us with purrs and sweet whisker kisses, and looks so darned innocent when she falls asleep on our lap.
And then that wide eyed wonder turns into the DEVIL CAT with claws out ambushing ankles and launching from hidden spots. When Seren was a baby (gosh, that was 16 years ago!) she used my legs as move-able scratching posts. Ouch!
The spring crop of kittens by now has reached the age when kitten play aggression takes over. If you don’t have other cats for her to learn better claw-and-teeth manners, you’re in for a rough few weeks. But she WILL outgrow the behavior. Meanwhile, the Ask Amy tips below will help you keep your sanity.
I’ve lots more kitten care tips in the book Complete Kitten Care as well as the ComPETability: Cats behavior book. Your turn. I know a number of very cat-savvy folks follow this blog. What tips can you share about managing the kitten’s juvenile delinquent behavior? Do tell!
I love hearing from you, so please share comments and questions. Do you have an ASK AMY question you’d like answered? Do you have a new kitten and need answers? Stay up to date on all the latest just subscribe the blog, “like” me on Facebook, check out weekly FREE PUPPY CARE newsletter, and sign up for Pet Peeves newsletter. Stay up to date with the latest book give aways and appearances related to my THRILLERS WITH BITE!
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Oddly enough (possibly not so odd!) many of the same techniques used on wild puppies also works for cats. Cat (or dog) nipping at your ankles? Stop walking and make it boring for them. Walk away and shut the door behind you? Isolation for bad behavior can work (although less well for cats, I think!). And lots of toys on strings and wands, so your hands are not too close to the cat while playing with it. Also, don't use your hands as playthings for the cat. Those would be my top suggestions.... And here's the perfect youtube video for you that works well with the theme of your post. :) warning on language by the way. guy's a rapper. http://youtu.be/Qit3ALTelOo
Awesome! Thanks for posting the suggestions. And I agree, puppies can be holy terrors (or terriers, LOL!). In fact, the terriers love the fishing pole lure toys as much as cats...just need heavier lines.
