Tell me about kittens

[IJumpedAboardAPirateShip]

We have an week old kitten rescued by friend found abandoned in a car park, we have an older cat but that’s a whole other thread (she doesn’t know he exists yet and we’re going to do a very slow and gentle introduction) but I’ve only ever had grown cats before - he seems to need a LOT of play and because he hasn’t had litter mates since he was found at around 2weeks I know we basically need to teach him what’s playful and what’s not ok.

He’ll play with toys for a a good 1-1.5hours at a time, I have cardboard boxes and toys on the ends of sticks and string and run them around for him and pick him up and put him down if he plays with us (goes to scratch or bite hands or feet) but I suspect I’m the only strict family member doing this

Just need some reassurance we’re doing the right thing by playing a lot with him when he wants it, that’s basically what you need to do right? It won’t “turn him” into a scratchy cat?

Any advice or thoughts gratefully received

If he’s only a couple of weeks old without it’s mother then you are in for the long haul. It will never be the friendly cat you wanted if he was taken away from the mother at so young.

Play is fine, I saw on a cat behaviour show that they need short high energy bursts to mimic the hunting they would do in the wild. I've had 3 as kittens and one mistake we made (with just one!) was to play 'catch the hand' during tummy tickles with our very young kitten. It was all cute at the time then she developed unexpectedly into a large Maine Coon cross and it isn't so funny anymore when she suddenly lunges! I always thought that rather than stopping play if they get physical with you it's best to just substitute hand/foot for a toy and continue play otherwise they could get frustrated and let's face it they don't really understand the 'punishment' of play stopping. Having two together did make play better for them I think as kittens and less labour intensive on us.

Well thanks for that....he’s super cuddly when not in play mode and will sleep on our laps and happy for the kids to pick him up and cuddle him so obviously I want to try to keep that going.

But yes appreciate being taken away from mum and siblings so young will be hard for him

Thanks @islandislandisland that’s what we’ve been doing, as soon as he even tries to play with my hand or toes I move him and give him a toy but I know it’s a long game teaching him the difference

So short sharp bursts of play with toys is good?

Realised my post left off that he’s 8 weeks, not A week!

It is a bit of a long haul regardless with the playing. It's a shame they aren't closer in age although I found even a one year age gap the older of the two was quite disdainful of kitten games! But they do catch up and now stalk each other round the garden before playing chase etc. Does your older one play at all?

She will yes, my son is good about getting toys and playing with her, but I don’t want the onus to be on her! I’m happy to play with the kitten, just want to make sure I’m doing it appropriately

I think what you're doing sounds good. We had one of those feather wands and used to run up and down the stairs with the kitten, 5 mins and she was crashed on the sofa. Also if you have a wand like that, you can wedge the end down the side of the sofa so the feather dangles and voilà, self entertainment for kitty!

Yeah I have a few of those wand toys - though all the articles I can find say play for about two hours a day but I find I’m playing with him for an hour and a half at least at a time

That is a long time! Doesn't he tire out? I guess like children you don't HAVE to keep playing or he might not learn to amuse himself. One of our cats had a difficult start taken from mum very early and she's mega needy, needed lots of reassuring and attention, you just become their mum til they find their independence. What about something with catnip to cuddle? That's can be an alone game. Those kicker toys are good too for alone play. Maybe try and set him up with something like that and scale back the amount of time you're providing the fun?

Thanks @islandislandisland he’s very needy for sure. He’s still in “base camp” before we introduce him to our cat and the house but I’ve been there working all week. We have a few catnip toys but he’s not interested so far?

I’m wondering now if we over stimulate him. Today he’s now started going for my feet and hands which he hasn’t all week, am being firm, strong no, pick him up and put him down with a proper toy but just now I think he saw that as play and immediately went for my hands again so after that happening 3 times I left the room.

I might be over thinking all of this, just trying to find the right balance between play and stimulation and doing it “too” much, if that’s a thing

If you're on Facebook/Instagram check out Kitten Lady. She's an American who rescues, fosters neonatal kittens and advocates. She also produces educational videos about looking after kittens and I know she has some on this topic.

Awesome thankyou for the recommendation