Advice re new kitten

[Nosebooper]

Please be gentle with me. I've taken in a kitten from a friend's neighbour, he's 10 weeks old, a black tom.

He's absolutely gorgeous, but I'm struggling with him a bit. I've come down with a cold or flu so not at my best, so this probably isn't helping matters.

He bites a lot and scratches when playing and I'm not sure how to stop it. I've read online to say "ow" loudly at him, but I'm literally doing this all the time almost, it seems that way anyway. I've given him a teddy that I put between us for him to fight with when he starts on my hands and arms.

He also climbs on the dining table, repeatedly when I remove him. Am I better shutting him out while I'm eating? He has a travel cage that he's happy to sleep in, could I put him in there while eating or when he gets carried away, like you would a puppy, or would that be cruel?

I have had cats before, but they've never been as bitey as him!

Photo attached of him asleep ❤️🐈‍⬛

When Loki (ginger tom, 9 this year) was that age, he was a little sod. He was absolutely full of himself and if you said no, you could be sure he would! The only cure was to keep saying it till he understood that No meant No. Is your little hell-raiser an only cat? We also had (and still do) a lovely, gentle tortie. Kittens learn from other cats and they learn best from those prepared to smack them into the middle of next week, which Nutmeg unfortunately wouldn't do till Loki was much bigger, by which time it was too late to slap some manners into him. A few toys, plenty of Nos and time eventually knocked most of the rough corners off, but for the time being, what you've got is the feline equivalent of a naughty little boy.

Loki when he was about 10-12 weeks old.

I would use toys that are on the end of a stick or use ribbons so your hands don't get in the way.

I have a 8 year old cat, but she's keeping out of it 😂 She has hissed a few times and smacked him once, but she tends to keep out of the way most of the time.

I've LOTS of toys for him. I'll keep at it then!
Loki is beautiful 😍

This is him more recently. All cinnamon swirls and wicked golden eyes. . .🧡💛

He's just gorgeous!

Definitely watch some Jackson Galaxy videos on playing with kittens.

The vet advised me to just stop interacting when my kitten bit me. He was 8 weeks when I got him, rejected by mum so the breeder wanted rid. Cats learn how to socialise up to the age of 13 weeks so if they miss this they don't know any different.
Stop playing when he does this and he should learn. It was a long road for me and I came close to giving him up. Two lots of stitches on my face, constant leaping up my skirt (!) attacking me constantly. The only cure was to take the risk and get another kitten when he was one. She taught him how to play nice and now he's a different cat!
Keep going, say no firmly and stop interacting until he is calm. He is beautiful by the way!

Firmly believe two kittens are easier and bette than one!
He only has u to take out all his learning, instincts and growing out on. He's full of energy and to him he is only doing what comes natural to him. Get him a big cat tree so he can climb and run. Do u plan to let him outside eventually? I know it is hard but it's not his fault either and he will grow out of it but even at 6 my ginger Tom ( who is as I type currently sitting on my back in my bed) will still give me a swipe now and again. I swipe him back. Gently obv. He knows who's boss. He still likes a bite and nibble, I can't do anything about it but I know it's not cos he is a bad boy he's just a liite shit now and again and it's all part of him being him.

I have no useful advice but came to say what a fabulous cosy bed 😍

My cat was a little prick at that age - used ro run up my back and air on my head when l was trying to cook dinner. Ran all the way up the curtains and wrecked them. Even now, aged 12, he can't resist a moving object! But l play with him every day to satisfy his hunting instknct but also chuck him outside when his eyes go black!!
Bloody love him so much!!!!

Pom poms. All sizes. Light enough to be chased around and carried in his mouth like a dead mouse. Works for our black boy kitten (4 months old)

Have started using a small water spray to deter him from things like kitchen surfaces and dining table. But he still jumps up the next day. Sigh.

Good luck!

Each time I have had kittens I have been covered with scabs and scratches! They're bitey scratchy little shit bags.
Wand toys and things like boxes with paper balls etc in. Don't play with your hands.
Shut him out when you eat.
Cats don't really bother with understanding 'no' in my experience.
Violent bitey play is better done with another kitten... they're much better at communicating when to stop with each other

Thank you, I haven't heard of him, I'll have a look tomorrow.

I really can't get another kitten, but will keep going with him.

I have a small cat scratching post, will look for a larger one. He won't be going out, my neighbour told me cats have been poisoned in the area.

I'm not angry with him, I know he's just a kitten and only doing what comes naturally to him.

It does get better. Get lots of toys, but only a few at a time - cats get bored quickly and love novelty.
He's full of beans and energy and needs an outlet for all of that, keep him really occupied - they're high energy but lower stamina animals so will tire out and sleep after a good play.
Distraction is your friend rather than admonishment.

Good idea. I'll have to try and remember how to make a pompom!

Not just me then! I'm covered in plasters at the moment! Yeah he has wand toys and a box full of paper which he loves.

oh, he's good. I got one of his books and read it through before we got our kitten. it really helped me make a lot of sense of how cats tick.
his show, my cat from hell is worth watching too. hopefully never come to a situation like that, but he's good at figuring out WHY a cat is acting up, and how to help them.

Yes I was thinking that as well. My cat refuses to sleep in his bed and prefers the sofa which is getting wrecked by him

That was about his cozy bed btw

Might be better to buy one - he's young (and stupid enough - they're utter knobs for the next fortnight or so) to eat the wool strands.

Getting a kitten Kickaroo will give him something to take his energy out on without getting too hyper from playing - the other thing I did was if they got too knob-like was firmly place my hand on them so they couldn't shred me, say 'E-nough!' and then make a point of grooming their heads with a damp flannel, so they associated it with Mum telling them to stop fucking about and behave.

I hadn't thought of that, I'll look online for some.

He has kicking toys and uses them.

He's been unbearable tonight. I've played non stop with him. The minute I stop he's jumped up and tried to attack my hand. I think I got a broken kitty!! 😂

unless your play style involves using your hands a lot, they grow out of it. takes a while, the little buggers, but thankfully they do.