HELP!!! New kitten turned mean!

[SlapACatFuckADuck]

We got a kitten a couple of weeks ago he's about 9/10 weeks He's gone from a loving spend all the time on your lap wanting cuddles and stroking to a cat that does nothing but scratch and bite you he even hides under the washing basket upstairs when it's bath time and attacks as you walk past. We've tried saying no firmly, clapping Ect nothing is deterring him.

I have two DS one 3.8 the other 6m he's scratching us all to death, my babies are covering in scratch and bite marks he goes for them when they're just sitting, eating, playing, sleeping! Today the eldest went to give him a cuddle and he scratched and bit his face! I walked past him the other day and he latched onto the back of my leg and bit and scratched me till I could get him off, 2 minutes later he was on the other leg. He's tried going for my face Ect and the babies

What do I do? The eldest loves him but I don't want them being covered in bite and scratch marks all the time especially the youngest any ideas

[SlapACatFuckADuck]

This is just two from today and here is the little minx

[thesandwich]

What about a water bottle or water pistol?

[titchy]

Keep the kids away. Kittie is probably being mishandled constantly and is irritated as fuck - not your toddler's fault, but pre-schoolers and cats aren't generally a good combination.

[titchy]

Yeah that'll help the cat feel relaxed and secure about its new home or maybe you meant the kids...?

[patienceisvirtuous]

Keep kids from going near kit.

Make sure he has interactive toys etc. when he starts to bite/scratch say no and stop engaging.

Make sure you handle him as much as poss though to socialise him.

[SlapACatFuckADuck]

We've done all of that. As soon as he bites/scratches he gets a no and we disengage, put him in the kitchen for 5 minutes and when he comes back repeat.

Can't keep the kids away anymore;
1 they don't go near him because he scratches them!
2 they want to play with their toys which they're entitled to.
3 - 6m old can't "mishandle" anything he's never shown any interest what so ever in him. Neither does the eldest he's watched continuously around the cat

[coffeeisnectar]

I read your op twice because I was unsure whether he was playing or being aggressive. I'm still unsure. Kittens DO like launching out on people because that's what they do to prey, it's an in built thing. If he was still with his litter mates he led be doing it with them.

Has he got toys? Large cardboard boxes stacked on each other with holes cut out make a great cat toy. A laser pointer for him to chase.

Get a catnip ball and see if that chills him a bit.

But at this age it's pretty normal cat behaviour unless he's growling and has raised hackles. Even the baby, he wants to play with him so jumps on the baby's leg as if to say "play with me, I'm bored!".

He will have a couple of hours in the evening when he will be manic and need attention from you. Throwing a screwed up bit of paper for him or playing with a toy on a stick. But he does need that and then he will sleep. Until 3am when he will thunder round the house!

Our youngest is 2 and still bites and scratches when she's in play mode. She's not yet learned to play with hands gently! But she will have a cuddle and let's us stroke her when she's in the mood.

Kittens need attention and time and if you don't have that for him, then I'd suggest reigning to someone who does. And I don't mean that in a horrible way, but for all your sakes.

[coffeeisnectar]

Rehoming not reigning.

[shutupandshop]

Im a cat lover. I have 2. Get rid. Sorry I wouldn't have two tiny children being attacked like that. My cat has bitten and scratched but this is another level.

[shutupandshop]

Oh and its usually because they arenpissed off with ds1 age 3

[incogKNEEto]

I would get another kitten...but l always try to get them in pairs so they can entertain one another and it teaches them to play more gently. If not like pp have said you need to get some cat toys, a rolled up ball of paper to chase or a stick with a length of string attached for him to practise his chasing/grabbing without injuring you all.

[SlapACatFuckADuck]

We have cat toys, stick with feathers and string, balls, remote control ball thing to chase, paper, toilet roll tubes, he's even kidnapped the babies teddy! But I can't get another one! Oh no!

[patienceisvirtuous]

What coffee said - it's normal kitten behaviour.

You've got some great advice on the thread, esp from coffee.

If you can't follow it then I'd responsibly rehome.

One thing I do know, it's not because you have a nasty/vicious kitten

Another kitten is actually a great suggestion!

[SlapACatFuckADuck]

Well she said she's unsure but As I said he has plenty of toys. More than enough. The eldest doesn't want to play with a cat who attacks him not that I can blame him and everyone has said to keep them apart anyway.

I don't want two cats. Especially with this one attacking everyone,

[patienceisvirtuous]

Okay, you know best. Not sure why you posted then since you've dismissed all advice.

[shutupandshop]

Dont get another one! they will probably hate each other

[SlapACatFuckADuck]

patience I haven't at all. I was asked if he has enough toys. What do you want me to go no not at all. I don't want two cats, sorry but if I wanted two I would of got two when I got him.

[SueGeneris]

We had a kitten like this. He was part Siamese I think. It was meant playfully but it was very vicious play. He had been my younger sister's kitten but she was terrified of him because he would chase at her and bite her ankles. We took him on but had to rehome him as he terrorised our existing cat. I don't have any advice though - I think a cat with this sort of temperament does need a lot of attention and probably isn't well matched to children.

[LikeTheShoes]

I think its fairly standard for kittens, play with him loads hopefully he'll get tired out! Wear long sleeves and long trousers.
When ours were that age we had constant scratches. I think it's just a phase... (At least our two did, now they just sleep all day)
When he hurts try saying "owch" loud and kind of high pitched, its what their litter mates would do and it helps them know what's unacceptable.

I'm sure your little tiger will calm down soon! (He looks adorable)

[Wolfiefan]

Have you had cats before? This sounds very typical kitten behaviour.
Keep kids and cat apart.
Play with cat and exhaust him when it's playtime. You can't just have toys in the house and expect him to amuse himself.
Laser pointer is great.
Cat tower or scratching post.

[Micah]

When he hurts try saying "owch" loud and kind of high pitched, its what their litter mates would do and it helps them know what's unacceptable.

Squeaking or making high pitched noises triggers their prey drive. As does suddenly pulling away.

Ignore when he does it. Dont react. Wear trousers! Try to get the kids to be quiet and slow movements around him.

It is just play. And he will grow out of it. As pp have said, its similar to how they would learn to hunt with their siblings. But cats grow up to be loners (so god no, dont get another one), so he will stop treating you like a cat before long.

[timtam23]

This sounds completely normal kitten behaviour for that age, he will probably calm down once neutered (I think mine was neutered aged 20 weeks and it took a few more weeks after that for hormone levels to settle). He's probably overstimulated by the children, their unpredictability and the noise...and those little needle-sharp kitten teeth and claws can be quite scary for small children.
I had to reluctantly take in a stray 7 wk old kitten a couple of years ago (was reluctant because I also had young children and didn't think it was a good mix) and my youngest was quite scared of the kitten because of the pouncing and sharp claws.
Kittens in a litter would have their siblings to play-fight with, the play fighting is how they learn when to stop! If they are on their own they start the play-fighting with whatever is around (you and the kids...) It does get better but please don't follow the advice about using a water pistol, all this will do is scare him and make it harder too socialise him, and try not to squeal when he jumps at you (hard I know...my one went through a stage of launching himself off the sofa at my legs with claws extended and kind of clinging on...it really hurt! Had to wear thick trousers and long sleeves for a few weeks until he calmed down...)

Come over to "the litter tray" topic if you'd like to, there are loads of cat people on there to advise, and lots who have gone through the kitten stage

[simonettavespucci]

Agree it sounds like fairly normal kitten behaviour. Kittens are cute, but they are also mini predators learning how to hunt and kill things - it takes time and training for them to learn not to do it to humans.

They're sometimes quieter when they first get to a new place and then more playful as they get more confident, so that could explain the change in behaviour.

As well as playing with them a lot, as suggested, you could also get the vet to trim their claws, so the ends are a bit less sharp. But basically, kittens and young children are a tricky combination unless you have the space to keep them apart.