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Sampson

Kitten too young, biting, scratching, mewing all night. Gets lots of love and attention, 2nd cat not an option.

I have a kitten that I know is too young to be away from mama but he needed a good home and I have love to give and time to share. Problem: he won't stop biting and scratching and mewing, especially at night. I often take him to work with me and he behaves well there but not at home. He is only about 6 or 7 weeks now and my neighbor in the apartment above me is getting angry. 2nd cat is not an option, my place isn't big enough for two and when I move back to Canada (living in South Korea now) the import cost of two cats would be too much, I can only bring home one.


Asked by Sampson on Jul 4th 2011 Tagged noise, aggression, biting, scratching, kitten in Noisiness
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Cali

Unfortunately a single person has very little chance of being able to wear out a 2-month old kitten enough for them to sleep through the night every night. That's why, "Have you considered getting a second cat...?" is the go to response to kitten energy problems! You can however do your best to wear him out during the day so he'll be a little more settled at night, and work on training him for appropriate scratching and biting behaviors. If he scratches or bites you hiss quietly like a mama kitty and pick him up by the scruff of the neck and put him down on the floor and ignore him for a little while. If you catch him in the act scratching furniture blast him with a water bottle and if he's scratching his post reward him with cuddles or a treat. Now is the time to start trimming his claws, too!

Mewing unfortunately you can't do much to train away besides ignoring him when he does it at night and doing your best to wear him out during the day.


Cali answered on 7/4/11. Helpful? Yes/Helpful: No 0 Report this answer


Toby

Cali gave a good answer.
Try your best to behave like a momma cat and stay consistent and stern while reinforcing the rules but don't forget to give positive attention when kitty does something good!

Also, single kittens tend to be biters. You can help kitty to curve the biting by giving him a stuffed animal close to his size to play and sleep with. This will help him feel like he has a furry friend to bite and wrestle with.

Another thing to remember is that when you try and wear him out, don't always just hand wrestle. Try and use toys more often than your hands. Kittens need activities like hand wrestling but done in excess, it will make them think biting and wresting with you is always acceptable. Instead, try using a plush toy his size in your hand for him to wrestle with.

I hope this advice helps and good luck with your little one!


Toby answered on 7/7/11. Helpful? Yes/Helpful: No 0 Report this answer


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