The Feline Terrorist – Taming the Kitten with an Attitude
Young
cats and kittens can be quite serious when it comes to play. For felines, play
prepares them to become great hunters and helps develop social skills with
other cats. But this behavior is not fun when the pet treats us like big mice
or when its playful pounces puncture our skin. Although play bites are usually
inhibited, and swatting is often done with retracted claws, sharp teeth and
nails can damage our clothing or inadvertently cause injury. The danger of
serious injury increases when the behavior is directed toward the face, a
family member with fragile skin, or toward someone with an immune deficiency
disorder.
Play
attack problems typically involve young cats that are alone during the day. The
attacks escalate when they are reinforced by someone who thinks the behavior is
cute and encourages it. Besides exploration and investigation, kitten play
typically involves elements of predation such as stalking, chasing, attacking,
catching, and biting. Most kittens engage their peers in rough-and-tumble play.
When another feline,
play-mate is not available, a nearby family member becomes the next-best
target. Although you may be an appealing target for play, you don't have the
fur, defenses, or mobility of another cat, which increases the likelihood of
injuries.
Avoid
training a kitty to be a terrorist.
Teasing a small kitten with your fingers and toes may seem like fun, but this
will quickly change as the pet grows older and the bites become harden if you
want to be more to your cat than a big toy, take an early stand. While some of
these little guys can become quite bloodthirsty and relentless, their behavior
can be controlled.
Controlling the Little Beast
Since
play is a normal behavior, it is important that the cat has an acceptable
outlet for it. Providing a feline playmate of the same age and temperament will usually draw the attack
behavior away from you and toward the new buddy. Only consider this option if
you are prepared to take on the extra care that a second pet warrants. If
adding another pet to the home is out of the question, then you must shoulder
the responsibility for providing the proper type of play and shaping your pet's
behavior.
Play
interaction with the cat should involve tossing or dangling toys for it to
chase and catch. This directs the attacks away from you. The more vigorous the
interaction, the better. Keep your kitten so busy and worn out that it doesn't
even think about going after you. Check out your local pet store and stock up
on all types of fun, tempting cat toys. Or provide inexpensive toys such as
ping pong balls or unshelled walnuts for swatting. Adding catnip to the toy or
stuffing or coating it with food can sometimes increase its appeal. A short
fishing rod is great for casting small rubber or feather toys, and provides
entertainment for you and your cat. Always maintain control at playtime. Play
that is initiated by the cat should be ignored or interrupted; you should start
all play.
To Swat or Not to Swat
Physical
punishment, such as swatting the pet or thumping it on the nose to stop rough
play, should be avoided. It may cause your cat to either fear you or encourage
even rougher play. A blast of air from a compressed air can (obtained from a
photography store), a squirt from a water gun, or an audible alarm are safe
ways to discourage the behavior. This approach is only likely to work when you
can anticipate an attack and are prepared to interrupt your kitten as it begins
its assault. This is not always an easy task. Attacks are most likely to occur
when you're making some interesting movement, such as dusting, making the bed,
reading a newspaper, or walking down the stairs. Vigilance is a necessary
ingredient for being consistent in teaching your kitten not to attack.
Up all Night
Nighttime
attacks are more difficult to handle and, in most cases, the only simple
solution is to keep the cat out of the bedroom when you sleep at night. Often,
this behavior will decrease and finally stop as the pet grows older. If the
attacks are not so bad, but the kitten has the annoying habit of waking you up
by sucking on earlobes or elbows as you sleep, try applying a light coat of
underarm deodorant to those areas to discourage it. Or keep a can of compressed
air nearby to deter those surprise attacks.
Family Feuds
Problems
with other cats in the home can occur when the play target is another cat that
is weak, fearful, or old, and cannot tolerate the young cat's playful behavior.
The pets should be kept separate unless supervised. A water gun can discourage
exuberant play, and appropriate toys can keep the rambunctious cat occupied.
Sometimes, the cat bearing the brunt of play attacks can become so stressed
that additional help may be needed. Medication may reduce its anxiety—discuss
this option with your veterinarian.
Nail Trimming- An Ounce of Prevention
Since
young kittens tend to use their paws a lot in play, it's a good idea to keep
those nails trimmed to prevent them from snagging sensitive skin. It's easy to
condition your cat to accept nail trimming, but you must have patience and pick
the right time. The very worst time to attempt nail trimming is when the pet is
alert and active. (It may seem this is always the case, but all kittens
occasionally nap.) Handle the paw very gently, use a sharp pair of trimmers,
and quickly take off the tip of one nail. If the pet continues to snooze, take
the tip off another nail or two. If your cat stirs, pet it gently and give it a
small treat. Never force the pet to hold still for a nail trim, and always
cease before the pet squirms.
