Naughty Kitten

[hartof]

Hi!

Looking for some help and advice, we have a nearly 11 week old male kitten. Had him for 3 weeks and so far he's been great, the past couple of days though he has started to bite and claw us and I don't think it's in a playful way.

I say No and walk away, go back later and sometimes he'll be loving but some he just goes back to biting. Last night he bit my 10 year old who he is usually very loving with. This morning he's got old of her pony tail pulling it and biting it!

I really don't know how to deal with him and stop this, I don't want my daughter being upset she loves him.

This is the downside of getting a single kitten ime/o...
When ours were tiny we had a huge cardboard box and cut several holes around it, kept them amused for weeks!!

Sounds like average kitten behaviour. They’re not always cuddles and kisses!
Do you have any toys he likes? Mine has some kicker style toys by kong and when he goes to bite I give him the toy instead and remove myself from him.

He could also be telling you he’s had enough attention.
Should grow out of it.

Ours used to do that. To his sister. He needs toys.

He has loads of toys! He has a scratch post, we've given him boxes we play with him loads.

Just to add he is on his own most of the day so it's not like we're smothering him.

He needs playing with. Fishing rod toys, laser pointers toys, small mice you can throw for him, ping pong balls he can chase around.

We do all of those things.

So we've come home tonight, tried to stroke him and say hello, immediately he climbs up to the highest point he can get to and tries to launch himself at my daughter and me jaw open ready to bite. It just doesn't seem like he's playing to me and I don't know how to deal with it.

If he's on his own all day he is probably bored and ready to play.

And he's not getting much time for socialisation either, he needs regular handling. He sounds as if he's getting a bit wild.

He is playing. It's how they play.

Get another cat? It doesnt have to be a kitten. My 2 year old cat would love a kitten playmate. Then the 2 of them can interact the way cats like to, and the kitten won't be so full on with you.

You just need to offer toys that don't get bits of you in the way. Laser pointer for pets. Rolled up ball of paper. Feather tied to a bit of string.
Not all cats like company. My sisters hate each other!!

GardenGeek has given good advice. Have you ever had a cat before? They can take some getting used to!
Sometimes they can be a bit mad but just work on your bond when he is calm. He’ll get there.

Kittens should not be left on their own all day. He needs a friend or someone to come and play with him. I'm not sure where you got it from but they should have advised you to get a slightly older cat who would be happier being left.

They grow out of it after neutering. He is alone too long though and must be a bit bored/lonely.

Thank you @GardenGeek really helpful information.

I do come home on my lunch around half way through the day for half an hour and play with him. Thatight not be enough, I honestly thought cats were pretty independent through speaking with friends with cats and assumed this was enough. I've never had a cat, never had a pet. This is all brand new to me which is why I'm looking for tips. He can't be neutered for a few more weeks yet. I really don't want another cat, our house isn't massive and I just feel an extra cat could make us feel over crowded (2 up,2down).

He has been much calmer tonight, daughter much calmer around him. I'm happy to teach him how to be calm and understand kittens are VERY playful, it just felt like he was trying to attack my daughter and obviously as a mother I am overprotective.

I can't stress enough that we spend lots of time playing with him, he has lots of variety of toys. We reward his good behaviour, don't punish really ( well say no and walk away is as far as we go).

Meant to add, DD maybe doesn't understand me when I say if he's in this mood leave him alone!! She loves him and loves to play so when I say that she thinks I'm having a go at her and doesn't realise it's for her own good.

At 10 she should be old enough to understand.
Cats can be calm and independent.
Kittens are fucking bonkers and needy!

Thanks @GardenGeek I don't want to do the water training whilst he's small he's so little. We'll wait and see how he goes, you've been really helpful

How’s it going op?

He has been much better this weekend, he has now learnt how to jump up onto our window sil so that's fun But he seems to love the view out of the window so it's very cute.

We got him a cat tree with different levels which has also helped him this weekend having something new. Bought even more toys and treats so fingers crossed we can stay bite free!

Thanks for asking.