Cat keeps attacking dd

[bluebunny123]

Hi all just need some advice. We have a 5 month old kitten. When we first got her she was good as gold. Lovely little thing.

But for the past few weeks she keeps randomly scratching/biting dd. So much so that she's covered in scratches pretty much all over her body. Dd will be sitting there minding her own business and the cat will just come up to her and start scratching her.

She's not been neutered yet she's due to be
done in 2 weeks.
Anyone got any advice? Is this normal?

Also she keeps nicking food off plates/from the kitchen when I'm cooking.
She's fed morning and night but should I still be feeding her during the day too?

Advice would be appreciated

Picture should be attached of the offender

Can you leave dry food out during the day for her to graze on. Can your dd distract the attacks with toys or snack treats? Probably just wants to play

@dementedpixie thanks for the reply. I feel a bit useless because I expected this to go better than it is. I will try leaving dry food out during the day too, hopefully that will work.

DD is 4 so I've tried explaining to her that she just wants to play but obviously when the cat scratches her and she's hurt she's not in the mood to distract her
I'm hoping that once she can go out she'll be a lot better.

What about one of those stick toys with a string/feather attached ? Your dd could take that about with her and the cat should start to chase that rather than her. Do you have cat tree/scratching posts etc

It sounds like typical solo kitten behaviour, this is why charities recommend kittens are homed in pairs because they will wrestle with each other and teach each other boundaries... They have so much energy at this age and are still learning to live with others.

Are you playing with her lots, really energetic play to make her run around, catch a toy on a stick/fishing rod type toys etc.?

Mine was on 4 pouches a day at that age.

I know I so regret getting her on her own!
In all honesty I thought she would be fine alone but clearly was wrong there.
I'll try stick toys.. and yes she gets played with a lot
I'll try giving her a good few hours over the day playing like that and hopefully it'll help

Went out and got a load more food for her so will be giving that more regularly than just morning and night now.

We love her to bits so I hope this passes. Thanks for the advice

Yeah cats need good quality biscuits out 24/7 to graze on as and when needed.

My cat had a bit of a psychosis stage at around 9 months but that was because she hadn’t been neutered yet (she hadn’t came into season yet either luckily so no kittens from her).

Neutering should calm her down but try to provide as many different toys as you can.

What about one of those catit trails that has the ball whizzing round it?

Or one of those feathers on a stick that goes on it’s own.

Anything to take the attention from your dd as obviously she will be squealing and jumping around which to kitten equals fun

@Soubriquet I've seen those ones with feathers that whizz about so will be ordering one tonight. We've got the ball one but I think something like the feather will work better for her.

A laser pointer is also a great toy - very low effort on your part and easy to make a cat really run around! Mine love their red dot time...

@viccat will add that to my list too thanks!