Huge kitten regret

[Chikapu]

We've had a kitten for about two months now and I have so much regret about getting him.
He's a beautiful little boy and I love him to pieces but he's such a handful I feel like I can't cope. He bites and scratches despite being constantly redirected to a 'legal' biting toy. He has every toy you can think of and I play one on one with him a lot, I'm guided by him and stop when I see that he's had enough and leave him to play on his own. He hardly sleeps though and ramps up his biting when he's seriously overtired, my husband is for some reason the main target of his biting. I'm anxious and desperately trying not to let bites happen.
I feel like every single aspect of our lives has been disrupted, I can't sit down to knit or crochet because he's on me trying to bite my moving hands.
He's not destructive towards furniture, he uses the litter box perfectly, he eats well and has been declared beautifully healthy by the vet.
I feel like such a pathetic failure and fully expect to be told that's exactly what I am. I want to cry I feel so bad about this.
Will he get better? Has anyone else had serious remorse after getting a pet?

@Warmduscher

Maybe you should have bought a small kitten rather than a huge one

That was obviously our first mistake

It will pass OP. All my kittens have been like this but have grown out of it.

Crocheting hands and wool would have been like a red rag to a bull to them.

Keep offering toys to distract, ideally ones where your hand is a good distance from the action (like fishing rods).

Our tabby boy was similar as a kitten, very hyperactive and quite bitey and much more work than other kittens I've had. It's just the luck of the draw. They don't stay kittens for long, though, so you just need to hang in there. I hope you're planning to have him as an outdoor cat, as he may not have the temperament to be indoor only cat, and if so I predict you'll feel a big change once you start letting him outside.

I think that is normal kitten behaviour tbh.. mine is 4 now but for the first year she was a handful. She is very much an independent cat.. you can snuggle her only when it suits her. Otherwise we only see her at brekkie and dinner time, she spends most of her time outside exploring, doing cat business

Photo?

Agree with above. I only came on here for the cute photo

I don't even like cats ( just came on to see just how huge he was) but he sounds absolutely adorable!

He'll calm down. He's just a baby and wants to play!

I'd have dedicated play time with him to tire him out and then get on with the crochet or whatnot. Those feathers on sticks are great for getting them leaping around and using their energy.

My boys were much easier to deal with once they'd been neutered and could go out - they run round outside to their hearts' content then collapse on the nearest sofa. When the weather's bad they do chase each other round the house, but they don't do any damage.

Definitely get a laser pointer and tire him out in the evening. It will get better. He is a giddy toddler! I've had cats for ages and I love and adore them but I always forget what it was like when they were babies and think OMG when we get a kitten again.

@Warmduscher

Maybe you should have bought a small kitten rather than a huge one

Exactly what I was thinking…🤣🤣🤣

Look up frolicat laser toys, they're battery operated laser chasers - distraction could buy you time to crochet!

He's at the toddler stage - he's learning all his skills. He will start to calm down. However, don't indulge in hand play with him- his instinct is to catch you and pin you down. Cuddles when he is calm and stroking is fine but as soon as he starts biting or grabbing your hand with his claws stop and move him away gently onto the ground.

Go into another room. Close door.

@Aug12

I think that is normal kitten behaviour tbh.. mine is 4 now but for the first year she was a handful. She is very much an independent cat.. you can snuggle her only when it suits her. Otherwise we only see her at brekkie and dinner time, she spends most of her time outside exploring, doing cat business

Same here, mine is 2 now. He was a furry nightmare until he was neutered. Last summer he scratched my furniture to bits and would fly across the lounge, leaping from one piece of furniture to another, knocking over lamps and photos flying, just to chase a fly. I struggled to bond properly with him at the time. But now he is Mr Purr Chill. So relaxed. No scratching and leaping about. All his cat stuff takes place outdoors. He is lovely.

Hang in there! It’s just a phase.

I so love a kitten 😸 as naughty as they can be when they are babies they are so adorable. My two are 11 now. I still remember them swinging on the curtains and hanging off our feet! Their claws are like needles arnt they. Like others have said he will settle, everything is exciting and an adventure to them at this age.

Ex Vet nurse here. Yes please persevere not sure if advice of another kitten right now it good advice as will cause more unrest & stress for yourself. All kittens go through this annoying bitey stage due to learning to survive and also they’re teething. You say he was bottle fed so this can also create a more bitey little as usually their Mum socialises then and gives them a thwack if going too far. Treat like a naughty toddler don’t encourage the playing with yourself but instead fill the house with toys. If he’s gone too far and hurt you then walk away to another room and shut the door till he’s calmed down. He will calm with age and you will have a lovely cat that mainly ignores you! My 2 are very independent and 1 never sits on my knee and still gives me the odd nip if he’s not in the mood to be stroked but I love them dearly. Call your local vets to speak to a vet nurse about behaviour. You need proper guidance and they’ll be happy to help.

Read ‘kitten’ for ‘little’

Awww you poor thing. I ve had cats for 40 years and kittens can be a handful. Please don’t give up. He will grow out of it. Kittens are assholes. They’re called Shittens for a reason. But soon enough your wee shite will mature and be your best friend. Xx

Hand reared might mean he is going to take a bit longer to learn domestic cat unwritten ‘rules’ maybe?

He will get better after he’s been neutered. We’ve been through this recently!

@AtlasPine They know their are no rules 😁 little furry despots the lot of them.

I had a male Bengal kitten. It was carnage and I’ve still got a scar from trying to wrestle a mouse off him.

All kittens are insane thats why I only rescue older cats. However my son guilt tripped me into adopting a kitten his neighbour is desperate to rehome and I've agreed.
Me and my 11 year old cat are in for a wild year.

What are you using to play with him ,? Wand toys and a laser pointer are great for expending excess energy

My two flake out after a session

When you got this kitten, did you realise that he'll grow into a cat (they're adults at about a year old) and will live for 15 years or more?

Get another one to keep him company, or admit defeat and let him go to someone who is more mature and experienced.