My crazy kitten is driving me up the wall. She has two sides to her. Her very controlling and "clingy" side and her Extremely violent and destructive side.
Right now she's overly clingy. She's laying on my left arm(which has gone numb) and when I try to move her she bites me-and hard. If I manage to get her off she hops right back on.. She's either very attached or thinks I'm her posession.. I'm slowly begining to believe the last option. Other instances of her clinginess are that she will follow me everywhere-or try.. then cry whenever I lock her out(Eg. When I'm in the bathroom she'll jam her paw under the door and make the most pitiful cries you ever heard.)
Her violent side is a -huge- issue. She's trashed the house and carved kitty grafitti in all the furniture.. She's allmost finished destroying our x-mas tree for crying out loud.. and that's not even the worst of it all, I have -deep- claw and bite marks ALL over me, especally on the back of my hands and my wrists.
I'm sick of being controlled by my own pet.. I could swear I tried everything and obviously nothing has helped.. I love her and if she doesn't calm down.. my mom had threatened to get rid of her. Please, all help I can possibly get is vital and greatly appreciated.
Edit: I forgot to include some information on T.L., She's about five months(birthday was July 25th of this year), hasn't been spayed yet, she's a hemmingway(polydact), and tends to act like a dog.. which I'll ask help on later(she drinks from the toilet and other.. bad things..). Her back foot was injured a while back but because it was the toes they had to self heal.
Crazy Kitten, I'm at wits end!
Re: Crazy Kitten, I'm at wits end!
Rather than repeat what advice has been given in this forum several times for the same situations, please take the time to read through a few pages of this forum for tips, ideas, and ways you can help your kitten.
She is NOT controlling you, and she is NOT destroying things to spite you......you need to exercise patience with your kitten and learn yourself that she needs your guidance, understanding and forgiveness just as you need hers. Pets are not human, they do not think in emotional terms or use excuses when they can't handle a situation. It's your job to kitten-proof your home, set reasonable boundaries, take time with her and bond with her, and give her attention when she asks, it sounds like she is demanding your attention, but rather than give it and learn to accept that she is a mere young kitten, you are ignoring her pleas for affection/attention. Invest in some kitten care books, cat books and familiarize yourself with what kittens and cats need in their environment to help keep them happy, safe, entertained and healthy; learn how you can be a forgiving and educated cat owner in order to best give her what she needs. Remember please, she is only 5 months old, she needs to exercise her right to be a kitten, you only have to set reasonable boundaries and train her gently when it comes to scratching furnature and biting your hands. There is plenty of information in cat care books and even on the net for you to explore.
Again, read more posts in this forum regarding similar situations. Your kitten is depending on YOU to be the guidance, but gently, forgivingly and lovingly.
She is NOT controlling you, and she is NOT destroying things to spite you......you need to exercise patience with your kitten and learn yourself that she needs your guidance, understanding and forgiveness just as you need hers. Pets are not human, they do not think in emotional terms or use excuses when they can't handle a situation. It's your job to kitten-proof your home, set reasonable boundaries, take time with her and bond with her, and give her attention when she asks, it sounds like she is demanding your attention, but rather than give it and learn to accept that she is a mere young kitten, you are ignoring her pleas for affection/attention. Invest in some kitten care books, cat books and familiarize yourself with what kittens and cats need in their environment to help keep them happy, safe, entertained and healthy; learn how you can be a forgiving and educated cat owner in order to best give her what she needs. Remember please, she is only 5 months old, she needs to exercise her right to be a kitten, you only have to set reasonable boundaries and train her gently when it comes to scratching furnature and biting your hands. There is plenty of information in cat care books and even on the net for you to explore.
Again, read more posts in this forum regarding similar situations. Your kitten is depending on YOU to be the guidance, but gently, forgivingly and lovingly.
..........Traci
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Guest
Re: Crazy Kitten, I'm at wits end!
First I would like to thank you for your reply.. and I did search the net but the closest I could find is http://www.selkirkvet.com/feline.html. Which hasn't helped at all. I had her since some time in June..
But I don't really understand how I could not be giving her anough affection. I'm home, literally all day. I build websites, etc. So the only time she doesn't see me is when I sleep and use the restroom(sometimes-rarely-when I go out with friends) and everytime I try to pet her she becomes violent. Calm at first but after a while she starts to attack me...
I will try to look harder for more posts on this... most I can see are about cats suddenly changing personalities. Definately not the same as mine and T.L.s problem.
But I don't really understand how I could not be giving her anough affection. I'm home, literally all day. I build websites, etc. So the only time she doesn't see me is when I sleep and use the restroom(sometimes-rarely-when I go out with friends) and everytime I try to pet her she becomes violent. Calm at first but after a while she starts to attack me...
I will try to look harder for more posts on this... most I can see are about cats suddenly changing personalities. Definately not the same as mine and T.L.s problem.
Re: Crazy Kitten, I'm at wits end!
Sorry, the guest was me.. it logged me out.. ._.
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candylilacs
- Posts: 38
- Joined: Tue Nov 11, 2003 2:15 pm
Re: Crazy Kitten, I'm at wits end!
Sometimes we're guilty of creating these "little monsters."
I know of several people who had kittens and used to "play" with them with their hands. Kind of roughly. As the kittens got older, they become rougher, too, because they were convinced it was how you played.
And then they started attacking people's hands because that was play too.
My well-behaved kitty, Miguel, was a very rambunctious kitten but I never played with him roughly. He didn't claw randomly nor did he bite. Although when he got very excited when he was young and bit me (a "love-bite" they say) I quit petting him or playing with him.
Most five-month-old kittens are playful. Inluding mine who throws newspaper all over the house. She's healthy and happy.
c.
I know of several people who had kittens and used to "play" with them with their hands. Kind of roughly. As the kittens got older, they become rougher, too, because they were convinced it was how you played.
And then they started attacking people's hands because that was play too.
My well-behaved kitty, Miguel, was a very rambunctious kitten but I never played with him roughly. He didn't claw randomly nor did he bite. Although when he got very excited when he was young and bit me (a "love-bite" they say) I quit petting him or playing with him.
Most five-month-old kittens are playful. Inluding mine who throws newspaper all over the house. She's healthy and happy.
c.
Re: Crazy Kitten, I'm at wits end!
For starters, you can check out Debbie's Feline Health and Behavior Links, and explore her behavior links. She has everything from inappropriate elimination problems to biting behavior to introductions, and so forth.
..........Traci
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Nurse_Jamie
- User is Banned
- Posts: 33
- Joined: Wed Jul 30, 2003 1:40 am
- Location: Tennessee
Re: Crazy Kitten, I'm at wits end!
Riyoku:
I totally sympathize with you. My little kitten can be a terror sometimes too and she is about 6 months old. She isn't quite as bad as what you described though!!
All the regular posters on here always give the same advice: take her to the vet, rule out sickness, kitty-proof your home, she's not human, she doesn't know any better, she's trying to get your attention, that's normal....etc..etc..etc. Well, I think cats...even young ones...are a lot smarter than we give them credit for. I have learned a great deal from raising my little terror. Yeah, sure you have to kitty proof your home, but what are you supposed to do? Completely move out all the furniture? I mean, come on, we can't disrupt living to adjust to out cats' behavior...they have to learn to adjust their behavior for us. After all, they are the animals and we are their masters. Now dont' get me wrong, I don't have a master-slave relationship with my kitten...I love her and she knows it. But I am slowly but surely learning to discipline her to where she knows that I am her boss.
I think young kittens will test us and see how far they can go. If we continue to let them get away with bad behavior, they will continue to show that bad behavior. And you think, "How can a 5 lb kitten out-wit and be the boss of me?" Well, if you let them get away with everything, it's not hard and they will see that. You must discipline your kitten while she is young, that way her bad-habits don't carry over to adulthood.
The idea of the squirt bottle has worked really well for me. Occasionally, if my cat does something really bad, I will swat her litte butt with my hand or something....not hard, just enough to let her know that she was a bad girl. And that has also worked. Time-out's work too. My kitty hates them, but it calms her down. If she does something bad, I will pick her up and just hold her for about 10 minutes. She hates is and does her damndest to get away, but I just hold firm for set amount of time, and then when I finally let her go, she is calm.
Try some of the methods I suggested above. And at night, try putting your kitty in a confined area like the laundry room with her food, water and litter box. Don't give her the whole reign of the house. But you should really start punishing her for scratching your arm and biting you.
Good luck and sorry this was so long, but I sort of know what you are going through.
I totally sympathize with you. My little kitten can be a terror sometimes too and she is about 6 months old. She isn't quite as bad as what you described though!!
All the regular posters on here always give the same advice: take her to the vet, rule out sickness, kitty-proof your home, she's not human, she doesn't know any better, she's trying to get your attention, that's normal....etc..etc..etc. Well, I think cats...even young ones...are a lot smarter than we give them credit for. I have learned a great deal from raising my little terror. Yeah, sure you have to kitty proof your home, but what are you supposed to do? Completely move out all the furniture? I mean, come on, we can't disrupt living to adjust to out cats' behavior...they have to learn to adjust their behavior for us. After all, they are the animals and we are their masters. Now dont' get me wrong, I don't have a master-slave relationship with my kitten...I love her and she knows it. But I am slowly but surely learning to discipline her to where she knows that I am her boss.
I think young kittens will test us and see how far they can go. If we continue to let them get away with bad behavior, they will continue to show that bad behavior. And you think, "How can a 5 lb kitten out-wit and be the boss of me?" Well, if you let them get away with everything, it's not hard and they will see that. You must discipline your kitten while she is young, that way her bad-habits don't carry over to adulthood.
The idea of the squirt bottle has worked really well for me. Occasionally, if my cat does something really bad, I will swat her litte butt with my hand or something....not hard, just enough to let her know that she was a bad girl. And that has also worked. Time-out's work too. My kitty hates them, but it calms her down. If she does something bad, I will pick her up and just hold her for about 10 minutes. She hates is and does her damndest to get away, but I just hold firm for set amount of time, and then when I finally let her go, she is calm.
Try some of the methods I suggested above. And at night, try putting your kitty in a confined area like the laundry room with her food, water and litter box. Don't give her the whole reign of the house. But you should really start punishing her for scratching your arm and biting you.
Good luck and sorry this was so long, but I sort of know what you are going through.
Nurse_Jamie
Re: Crazy Kitten, I'm at wits end!
Well, I read that site and they suggested using a can or a blowhorn or compressed air. I have no cans and since I have a neigborhood an air horn is just asking for angry neighbors.. so I think I'll try the compressed air.
Only problem is it's warning label is huge... I just used it on her a sec ago when she tried to seperate my hand from the rest of me and it worked! But.. the thing is she fears the can rather than knowing the problem was her biting on me ._. She tried to bite me a sec or two after I "blasted" her with it then took off before I could pick it up again XP It seemed like it hurt her though... I aimed it for her back but accidentally got it in her face--will she be allright? Grah.. brb, she's playing with a battery.. that is such a choking hazard it isn't funny u_u"
Only problem is it's warning label is huge... I just used it on her a sec ago when she tried to seperate my hand from the rest of me and it worked! But.. the thing is she fears the can rather than knowing the problem was her biting on me ._. She tried to bite me a sec or two after I "blasted" her with it then took off before I could pick it up again XP It seemed like it hurt her though... I aimed it for her back but accidentally got it in her face--will she be allright? Grah.. brb, she's playing with a battery.. that is such a choking hazard it isn't funny u_u"
Re: Crazy Kitten, I'm at wits end!
So many sites seem to suggest giving the cat it's own room. Only "spare room" we have is the storage room it has a lot of boxes and such things but we just can't move them elsewhere, we don't have room.. (Currently we live in a small rental as we're waiting for our new house to be built When we move, T.L is going to become an outdoor kitty just like all the cats we've had before.)
It's not like I'm inexperienced. I've had many cats.. I grew up with Mozy a huge white foof ball male, he ran away when we moved to Fl. Then we had Zimba(purposely spelt wrong) a female calico my mom brought home as a kitten which we raised then when she got pregnant we dilivered her kittens. We kept one, Pooky, she was a beautiful color combination of black and gold. Zimba was really weird about that litter of kittens, she tried to keep them in my bedroom but she seriously needed to leave them in the "kitten safe" room we had at the time. Anyway, We moved to a new house with Pooky and Zimba. Zimba got pregnant again, this time with tig and what appeared to be siamese kittens XD We kept one of the siamese looking ones, his name was powder and he was a well-behaved gentleman. Eventually we had to find Pooky a new home because after she got old enough she and Zimba fought day in and day out(even while Zimba was still nursing.. which was hazardous for the kittens involved), we tried seperation, monitoring, but it just wasn't going to work. Thankfully we found her a good home. Zimba was now spayed and Pooky had a nice home on a farm, being mouse controll. Powder eventually got old enough that he would spray and he continued to do so even after he was altered, my mom got rid of him while I was at school because his spraying had ruined a family airloom(which we thought we kept well out of his reach).
Eventually Zimba ran away(I blame the coons) and we went from pound to pound searching for her. We found her! Or so we thought.. we found her identical twin and didn't realise it untill we brought her pregnant hiney home. we named her Goddess.. she beared a litter of kittens shortly after her adoption. Which we dilivered in the utility room. Even though she wasn't Zimba, she was still the best cat in the whole world and I was glad I saved her and her kittens' lives(they where going to be euthanised the day after. We adopted her just in time.. sadly the pound people weren't even AWARE she was pregnant.. and she was pretty far in her pregnancy. I could feel kittens moving in her belly when we got her home.. ._.) We kept none of the kittens but found them all homes.. but my lovely Goddess vanished when we moved yet again to our current location.. Don't tell me cats can't think because.. everytime she purred I could swear she was thanking me for taking her from the pound. Blah.. I feel so guilty that she vanished.. we know she didn't run away.. because she showed fear of going outside... literal fear.. we ignored that though.. and now she's gone. *sigh* Anyway... to replace her we got T.L.(Tiger Lily) which is completely unruly compared to our past cats which we ra ised most from birth or kittenhood like T.L.. but shes the only cat I ever had to act this way.. it can't possibly be "normal" if only one of about 5 acts that way. Zimba was the same age when we got her and she was nowhere near this bad.. she also had a lot less attention than what T.L. is getting. A LOT less because I had school and my mom worked allmost 24/7. T.L. has me allmost all day... actually HAS toys(Zimba did not-we where going through too many hard times at the time) mm.. wait...
I figured it out ^^ Zimba was outdoor cat the entire time we had her. We have to keep T.L. inside because we don't want to freak her out when we move(we also have huge racoons here...and they aren't shy either... infact ones in my back yard as I'm typing this) perhaps I can endure T.L.s playful behavior untill then(using said suggestions).. blah.
Sorry, post got huge and I got off task a bit...
It's not like I'm inexperienced. I've had many cats.. I grew up with Mozy a huge white foof ball male, he ran away when we moved to Fl. Then we had Zimba(purposely spelt wrong) a female calico my mom brought home as a kitten which we raised then when she got pregnant we dilivered her kittens. We kept one, Pooky, she was a beautiful color combination of black and gold. Zimba was really weird about that litter of kittens, she tried to keep them in my bedroom but she seriously needed to leave them in the "kitten safe" room we had at the time. Anyway, We moved to a new house with Pooky and Zimba. Zimba got pregnant again, this time with tig and what appeared to be siamese kittens XD We kept one of the siamese looking ones, his name was powder and he was a well-behaved gentleman. Eventually we had to find Pooky a new home because after she got old enough she and Zimba fought day in and day out(even while Zimba was still nursing.. which was hazardous for the kittens involved), we tried seperation, monitoring, but it just wasn't going to work. Thankfully we found her a good home. Zimba was now spayed and Pooky had a nice home on a farm, being mouse controll. Powder eventually got old enough that he would spray and he continued to do so even after he was altered, my mom got rid of him while I was at school because his spraying had ruined a family airloom(which we thought we kept well out of his reach).
Eventually Zimba ran away(I blame the coons) and we went from pound to pound searching for her. We found her! Or so we thought.. we found her identical twin and didn't realise it untill we brought her pregnant hiney home. we named her Goddess.. she beared a litter of kittens shortly after her adoption. Which we dilivered in the utility room. Even though she wasn't Zimba, she was still the best cat in the whole world and I was glad I saved her and her kittens' lives(they where going to be euthanised the day after. We adopted her just in time.. sadly the pound people weren't even AWARE she was pregnant.. and she was pretty far in her pregnancy. I could feel kittens moving in her belly when we got her home.. ._.) We kept none of the kittens but found them all homes.. but my lovely Goddess vanished when we moved yet again to our current location.. Don't tell me cats can't think because.. everytime she purred I could swear she was thanking me for taking her from the pound. Blah.. I feel so guilty that she vanished.. we know she didn't run away.. because she showed fear of going outside... literal fear.. we ignored that though.. and now she's gone. *sigh* Anyway... to replace her we got T.L.(Tiger Lily) which is completely unruly compared to our past cats which we ra ised most from birth or kittenhood like T.L.. but shes the only cat I ever had to act this way.. it can't possibly be "normal" if only one of about 5 acts that way. Zimba was the same age when we got her and she was nowhere near this bad.. she also had a lot less attention than what T.L. is getting. A LOT less because I had school and my mom worked allmost 24/7. T.L. has me allmost all day... actually HAS toys(Zimba did not-we where going through too many hard times at the time) mm.. wait...
I figured it out ^^ Zimba was outdoor cat the entire time we had her. We have to keep T.L. inside because we don't want to freak her out when we move(we also have huge racoons here...and they aren't shy either... infact ones in my back yard as I'm typing this) perhaps I can endure T.L.s playful behavior untill then(using said suggestions).. blah.
Sorry, post got huge and I got off task a bit...
Re: Crazy Kitten, I'm at wits end!
Actually, several of the 'regular' posters have given you detailed advice and several tips that have worked for them. To imply the advice given is the same over and over again is not productive.Nurse_Jamie wrote:All the regular posters on here always give the same advice: take her to the vet, rule out sickness, kitty-proof your home, she's not human, she doesn't know any better, she's trying to get your attention, that's normal....etc..etc..etc. Well, I think cats...even young ones...are a lot smarter than we give them credit for. I have learned a great deal from raising my little terror. Yeah, sure you have to kitty proof your home, but what are you supposed to do? Completely move out all the furniture? I mean, come on, we can't disrupt living to adjust to out cats' behavior...they have to learn to adjust their behavior for us. After all, they are the animals and we are their masters.
As for the last part of your paragraph above (you siad, "they have to learn to adjust their behavior for us"), I will say this again (for the last time)....kittens and cats do NOT do things to spite you, NOR do they equate their behavior with human emotion. Since you ARE the human, it is up to YOU to set the boundaries, to define the limits, to curb the biting/whatever-behavior using workable methods (that have been detailed and described for you before). Each owner needs to find what works for them without having to resort to constant reprimanding. If you are finding that the unwanted behavior is continuing, or getting worse, you cannot blame your kitten/cat for this, the training and behavior modification must start with YOU, and you must remain comitted to the task.
..........Traci