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The litter tray

Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

Original poster

Playful kitten

11 replies

Moonwatcher1234 · 14/12/2023 20:10

We have a lovely raggie who is 14 weeks. Super sweet and playful but has started doing some puzzling things.

in the mornings and evenings she is very playful and has started swiping at us if we happen to touch her even if she’s just sitting. This evening she was sitting next to my husband and grooming herself when she went to nip him unexpectedly- he wasn’t touching her. I’m just worried in case she does this to the kids and would love some advice on what this might mean?

OP posts:
Octavia64 · 14/12/2023 20:16

Kittens at that sort of age start practising hunting skills on each other.

As there is no other cat around to practice with she is trying to persuade you to play/practice her hunting skills.

You need some kitten toys and to play with her.

SomeoneYouLoved · 14/12/2023 20:20

Ideally you need another kitten, l have three young cats and they wear each other out, although l still spend a lot of time playing with them.
It is much better to have two kittens than one, they get bored and lonely.

Original poster
Moonwatcher1234 · 14/12/2023 20:45

Octavia64 · 14/12/2023 20:16

Kittens at that sort of age start practising hunting skills on each other.

As there is no other cat around to practice with she is trying to persuade you to play/practice her hunting skills.

You need some kitten toys and to play with her.

Thanks- unfortunately another cat is not possible at the moment but we do play with her several times a day and she gets a lot of attention/affection. Is there any way to dissuade her from doing this with the kids or is it best to just keep them out of her way when she’s in this mood?

OP posts:
Octavia64 · 14/12/2023 21:58

So normally they are "mouthing" rather than biting per se - they're exploring what things feel like with their mouth a bit like babies put stuff in their mouths all the time.

Best thing to do with the kids depending on age is keep them away if they are under 5 or so, if above explain this, maybe show some videos of babies mouthing.

If the kitten does it to them and they yell "ow" it generally upsets the cat and they don't do it again for a few weeks.

margotrose · 14/12/2023 22:25

This is what kittens do and it can last for months. It's why everyone recommends getting two kittens.

If you really can't get a second then you will need to play with her - a lot. Lots of toys that keep her away from your hands - flirt poles, feathers, ping pong balls she can chase etc.

Original poster
Moonwatcher1234 · 14/12/2023 22:59

margotrose · 14/12/2023 22:25

This is what kittens do and it can last for months. It's why everyone recommends getting two kittens.

If you really can't get a second then you will need to play with her - a lot. Lots of toys that keep her away from your hands - flirt poles, feathers, ping pong balls she can chase etc.

Thank you - we play as much as we can and she seems to have a routine but just find the erratic nature of these outbursts interesting…how long until she is likely to calm down?

OP posts:
margotrose · 15/12/2023 06:50

It could be a long while yet - mine is coming up to eight months old and still absolutely insane Grin

EmpressaurusOfCats · 15/12/2023 06:56

My pair are 6 months. Shouting ow definitely works with the mouthing, but they still have frequent play fights & enjoy throwing themselves up the curtains so you might have a while yet.

Justleaveitblankthen · 15/12/2023 06:59

What, no photo? How could you do this? 🥺

sashh · 15/12/2023 07:23

Moonwatcher1234 · 14/12/2023 22:59

Thank you - we play as much as we can and she seems to have a routine but just find the erratic nature of these outbursts interesting…how long until she is likely to calm down?

Show quote history

Mine is in double figures and still has the odd 'mad mins' where she rushes around.

Octavia64 · 15/12/2023 15:55

Most cats calm down significantly about the year mark.

Some never do - we had a black cat who was always very playful.

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