How to stop a kitten from biting, scratching its arms and legs when you pet it

When a kitten bites or scratches funny while playing, many people find it funny at first. However, the pet grows, and along with it, the claws and teeth increase in size. And then such behavior becomes a problem.

To wean a kitten from biting and scratching its owners, it must be raised correctly from early childhood. But first you have to understand the reasons for aggression, and then you can resort to certain tricks.

Why does a kitten bite and scratch?

A kitten may bite and scratch for several reasons. Having understood them, the owner will be able to correct the pet’s behavior and wean it from a bad habit.

Gambling passion

Cats are predatory animals. They have a hunting instinct since childhood. When kittens begin to walk on their own, they fuss with each other, try to fight and attack. This is the preparatory stage.

From about the fifth week, the mother cat begins to teach the babies how to hunt. For example, she brings a caught mouse so that the kittens can hone attack and defense techniques, and by her example shows how to hunt.

As a result, the play and hunting instincts are mixed. When the baby sees a moving object - both a toy and the owner's limb - he rushes at it and bites it. He has no intention of hurting a person. The pet simply develops the makings of a predator.

For your information. Even adult cats succumb to the excitement of the game.

Some owners themselves encourage aggression. They think that a baby attacking a person's big hand looks very funny. Indeed, at 1.5-2 months the animal does not pose a threat.

However, when the pet grows up, it will behave in exactly the same way. A big cat can leave deep scratches and bite through the skin. To wean the kitten from biting and lunging at people, it is provided with a variety of toys. With their help, he will be able to imitate hunting. Then he will not need to encroach on human hands and feet.

Kitten feeling unwell

If your pet is constantly biting and scratching for no reason, he may be sick. This is how animals replace their suffering.

In addition to aggressive behavior, the disease is indicated by:

vomit;
diarrhea;
apathy;
refusal to eat;
increased or decreased body temperature;
sneezing and coughing;
unpleasant odor from the mouth.

In this case, you do not need to wean the animal from bad habits, but contact a veterinarian. After recovery, the baby’s behavior returns to normal.

Important. Kittens may pretend to be sick to manipulate their owner. Such attempts must be stopped.

Biting may be a symptom of changing teeth. At 3-4 months, the kitten’s baby teeth begin to fall out, and permanent teeth grow in their place.

Associated symptoms:

increased salivation;
loss of appetite;
head shaking;
slight increase in temperature.

The teething process is often accompanied by itching and discomfort. To alleviate the condition, the baby tries to “scratch” his gums: chew things, furniture, wires, people’s arms and legs.

The only way to help your pet is to relieve him of pain. Chewable treats, toys, and silicone teething rings will help stop your kitten from biting. Attempts to taste the owner's body must be stopped. Otherwise it will develop into a bad habit.

Behavioral reasons

Kittens that are separated from their mother early grow up to be more aggressive. They have not gone through initial socialization and have not had time to build trusting relationships with people, so they are suspicious of them.

In this case, the pet may scratch or bite the person in self-defense. The kitten does not understand the owner’s intentions, which is why it prefers to immediately defend itself.

Correcting this behavior is very difficult. To wean a kitten from biting and scratching, you need to handle it as carefully as possible and not expose it to stress. The baby should not fear for his life. Then the need for defense will disappear by itself.

It is better to keep your distance for some time. Let the kitten watch the owners from the side. He will understand that family members do not pose any threat. Most likely, your pet will gradually learn to trust people, and you will no longer have to wean him from unwanted habits.

Scratching and biting are common in kittens that have not been introduced to the outside world. Ideally, the pet should have access to all rooms, see strangers, smell new smells and hear interesting sounds. Then the kitten will not be afraid if guests come to the house and the owner suddenly turns on the vacuum cleaner. He won't see this as a threat, so he won't bite or scratch in self-defense.

Sometimes kittens try to attract attention with aggressive behavior. Animals bite or scratch when they want to eat, drink or go to the toilet, and the litter box is not cleaned. Therefore, the owner must carefully care for the baby. Then the pet will not have to resort to such methods.

For your information. Usually a cat bites people's legs if it needs attention.

Another reason why a kitten bites its owner or owner on the legs is boredom. He cannot realize the innate instinct of a hunter, so he is forced to attack any available prey.

If the baby does not have toys, human limbs are the most suitable option. Only active and varied entertainment will help wean a kitten from a bad habit.

Animals may scratch and bite if they lack personal space. The baby should have his own corner where he can be alone and relax. You should not install the bed where it is convenient for the owner. Cats independently choose their favorite places.

Some breeds avoid body contact. This cat bites when you pet it or pick it up. Therefore, before weaning your child from a bad habit, you should take a closer look at the characteristics of his character.

Often, owners themselves provoke aggression when:

petting the kitten too roughly (for example, against the grain);
they grab it tightly during the game;
they try to pat the stomach - the most vulnerable place.

If this is the reason, you need to reconsider your own behavior. And you won’t have to stop the kitten from scratching and biting.

How to avoid cat bites and scratches

Avoiding bites from your beloved cat and weaning him from biting is an interesting activity. You can use different methods, the main thing is not to forget that repetition is the mother of learning.

A cat with the character of an unstoppable hunter needs to devote more time to games, so fishing rods with feathers or pompoms should be used. Such teasers perfectly divert the cat's attention from the owner's legs and arms;
If the pussy has already formed the habit of biting the hand during play, then when the cat's teeth touch the skin, the play immediately stops;
A scratching post will eliminate the problem of scratches, especially if it has a hanging fishing rod toy in its design;
For those cats who cannot imagine their lives without scratching their household members, there is an effective measure - anti-scratch products. These silicone caps are glued onto the bully's claws, preventing him from causing damage to people and furniture;
Onychectomy is a last resort measure that the owner can take. Complete declawing will save the owner from scratches, but will it be beneficial for the cat? It's worth learning more about this;
A cat that is playing can be sprayed with water or scared off with a sharp sound - if you do this constantly when trying to bite, the animal will quickly remember that a bite can have unpleasant consequences.

When raising a pet, you need to show restraint, patience, and not forget that a cat first of all needs the attention and love of its owner.

How to understand when to take up parenting

Some owners do not pay attention to obvious signs of aggression in cats. For example, the habit of suddenly throwing yourself on your feet is attributed to character traits. However, this is how the pet demonstrates that it is a dominant individual and has the right to establish its own rules.

Cats perceive the family they live in as a pack. Each member has a specific position in the hierarchy system. If the owners forgave the kitten all the pranks and did not educate him, as the animal grows older, it will occupy an increasingly higher position.

To avoid such a problem, you should set limits on what is permitted for your pet from childhood. What exactly they will be is up to the owner to decide. But it’s clearly not worth waiting for the baby to start biting and scratching at any opportunity.

The task of education is to show that the animal is in a subordinate position in relation to people. To become a leader, the owner must be:

strict;
fair;
consistent.

The pet needs to be shown that a person’s word is law. And its violation threatens not the most pleasant consequences.

Important. To wean even the most wayward and stubborn cats from biting and scratching, it is necessary to build the correct hierarchy.

Causes of aggressive behavior in cats

How do we usually play with little kittens? Using your hands, of course. After all, you really want to stir up and pet this adorable little lump. This is where the catch lies: by teaching a cat to play in this way, we ourselves prescribe a specific behavior for him. Being small, the fluffy does not control his emotions, and no one punishes him for this. Growing up, our pet continues to do the same. In the end, games like this end in minor injuries.

A cat acquires the habit of biting through playing with its owners.

But this is far from the only reason for this behavior. Any aggression of a furry pet towards its owners is a consequence of a violation of psychological balance. Aggressive behavior in cats is influenced by:

nervousness of the owners - by communicating with each other in a raised tone or engaging in assault, people provoke pets to the same behavior;
the aggressive nature of the games - the person himself offers the kitten a power game scenario, and the fluffy responds in kind, defending himself with available means, after which he himself goes on the attack; this is inherent in both kittens and adult cats: just watch them play with each other;
lack of time or desire to play with the cat - he has to attract the attention of others; This affects many cats who do not leave the premises for walks, some spend energy playing on their own, other pranksters hunt people, choosing ambush attack tactics characteristic of predators;
cult of personality - a cat recognizes only one owner, completely subordinate to one person, the animal perceives other people with caution;
protective reflex - some people do not understand that cats cannot be raised by physical force, in response they receive an adequate defensive reaction;
vindictiveness - cats have a developed memory, they are able to remember insults inflicted, animals understand well when they are praised or scolded, and some vindictive pets take revenge for scolding, choosing the right moment for this;
jealousy - if there is a small child in the house, the cat may become jealous of the baby: she will always be unhappy that the owner pays less attention to her than to the child, and aggression is the best choice for a cat to attract human attention;
poor health - the cat’s skin under the fur may itch or its paw may hurt from a bruise, then excessive petting will not bring pleasure, but will only irritate the animal;
specific pedigree - mixing cat breeds sometimes results in an explosive mixture with an obstinate character, this is often observed in cases where one of the parents is a domestic breed and the other is a wild one.

To avoid an incident with your ward, remember - cats always warn about their attack. This could be twitching the tail, moving the hind legs before jumping. If you pay close attention to your pet's habits, it will not be difficult to prevent his lunging.

The expression of the muzzle, a creeping posture and dilated pupils indicate readiness for an attack.

The author of these lines raised a cat and a female cat. Despite the fact that they grew up together, their characters are completely different. It may be due to the fact that the animals are from different litters. Most likely, genetic inheritance plays a role. A cat is much more affectionate than a cat and does not bite. But Manyunya (that’s the cat’s name) behaves depending on her mood. If he doesn’t like something or is irritated, he can bite hard. The cat was sterilized at a young age, and this is certainly reflected in his behavior. When I was a teenager, I behaved less aggressively.

Video: what irritates cats

Dependence of behavior on the age of the cat

When the kitten is still small, do not take it away from its mother cat and brothers until 2.5–3 months. At this age, the baby develops basic skills and character traits. As you know, little kittens constantly play with each other, bite and scratch. If one of them loses control, showing excessive zeal, he immediately receives change from his fellow. Such conflicts teach children self-control. When human hands replace their brothers, the baby does not receive the proper rebuff, so he gives free rein to his feelings.

As our pets age, their behavior changes. The acquired experience and life circumstances begin to take their toll.

In an adult cat, during an exacerbation of sexual activity, the attitude towards the owners becomes more aggressive due to stress, as well as excessive excitability. After sterilization, in most cases, furry robbers become softer and kinder.

Your cat's body language will always tell you how she's feeling.

Cats' behavior changes after giving birth. Not every mother cat completely trusts her kittens to people. She may be irritated by the smell from her hands, which is transferred to the babies. So don't be surprised if the behavior is sometimes hostile. Although such cases occur rarely.

Features of the manifestation of cat aggression

Knowledge of cat psychology will help you understand the reasons for bad behavior. Most cats are not prone to unmotivated aggression.

A mentally healthy animal never attacks, scratches or bites for no reason. As a rule, such behavior is a reaction to some external stimulus.

The most common causes of aggression in cats are:

desire to protect oneself and one’s territory;
sexual arousal;
painful sensations.

Aggressive behavior is also sometimes observed in kittens that have suffered abuse.

The owner should understand the reasons for the animal’s anger. If a cat is constantly stressed, over time its psyche will become unstable, and it will truly become inadequate.

How to stop a cat from biting

There are simple ways to stop your cat from biting:

Play. A kitten is an inexhaustible source of energy. You need to give your pet the opportunity to throw it out and direct it in a peaceful direction. Active play with a ball, a wind-up toy, or a laser pointer will help. Some owners buy a second kitten so that the kids can have fun with each other.
Take the kitten in your arms. To lose excess energy, the pet can rush around the apartment for a long time, attacking its owners along the way. If you sit him on your lap and stroke him, the baby will calm down and possibly fall asleep.
Switch attention. This method will not wean the kitten from biting, but will help stop a one-time attack of aggression. It is enough to throw a ball with a rattle, rustling paper or twitch the “mouse” on a string. Another option is to clap your hands, stomp your foot, or make some other harsh sound. However, over time, the pet will get used to the noise and stop reacting to it.
Ignore the kitten. If the pet bites the owner, the person can pretend that the baby does not exist. That is, do not pay attention to it, even if the animal meows and rubs against its legs. Many cats are very social. This measure makes them think about their own behavior and helps them quickly wean themselves from unwanted habits.
Eliminate the irritant. Cats do not like strong smells - citrus fruits, vinegar, mustard, etc. The owner can bring the “aroma” of another animal from the street. If this is the reason, then the kitten will stop biting as soon as the owner washes his hands and washes things.
Punish. If you can’t stop the kitten from biting using peaceful methods, you will have to lightly spank it with a newspaper or spray it with a spray bottle. It is allowed to gently lift the animal by the scruff of the neck for a few seconds, and press the large animal to the floor. The child will understand that his behavior is unacceptable.

Preventive measures are used when the pet only bites an arm or leg. If he has already grabbed onto the owner, there is no need to break free. In the wild this is what prey does. It is better to completely relax and not move. The animal will quickly lose interest.

For your information. If a kitten attacks a sleeping owner, you should send the pet to spend the night in another room. For a few days he may meow pitifully under the door, but he will soon get used to being alone.

What to do if a cat bites and attacks

To stop your cat from scratching and attacking, analyze your behavior. Perhaps the reason is the owner.

You hurt by stepping on the tail; frightened by a loud sound.
The cat thinks he is trapped. To prevent him from rushing at you, move away and give a path for retreat.
Lack of attention. The cat attracts the owner by trying to scratch or bite the legs. Spend 15 minutes a day on active games. Make the animal tired.
Detect hostility before it occurs. Signs: the cat has stopped purring, the pupils are dilated, the skin is twitching, the ears are flattened.
A cat may scratch its legs when it gets really excited. For example, he ran around the house for a long time and did not notice his master’s feet.
The animal smelled something “hostile.” You've been at a place where there are other pets, and their scent has lingered on you. Or the reason is your perfume.
The cat grew up spoiled and is being raised by its owner. This happens when you have not defined the boundaries of what is permitted in advance.
A new animal has appeared in the house. An unpleasant neighborhood results in anger.

If a cat chews everything in the house, he has vitamin deficiency. Diversify your diet and make up for the lack of vitamins.

Castration will affect behavior. The only option is when it is not possible to teach him to be peaceful. Neutered animals become attached to their home and are more sociable.

Your pet's behavior depends on you. To stop your cat from biting, identify the source of the problem and be patient. A visit to the veterinarian will help determine the cause of the antics and give you a calm life with a ball of fur.

How to stop a kitten from scratching

It will not be possible to stop a kitten from scratching forever. Animals use their claws when stressed or threatened, and such situations cannot be completely ruled out.

However, with the help of education, you can wean your pet from using its teeth and claws out of boredom and teach it to control its behavior. He will understand that scratching is bad and will try not to do it. Good manners should be taught as early as possible. The younger the animal, the easier it is to correct its habits.

You can stop your pet from scratching using the same methods that are used when a cat bites:

outdoor games for physical and emotional release;
stroking and relaxation;
switching attention;
ignoring;
eliminating the irritant;
rigor.

If a kitten has been beaten before, it does not allow itself to be petted and scratches in response to affection. In this case, there is no need to wean him off with punishment. You need to gradually establish contact, praise and encourage your pet when he allows you to touch him.

What not to do in the process of education

A person can stop a kitten from scratching and biting only if he does not make common mistakes:

You can't hit a kitten. You need to reprimand him in a stern voice and leave him alone for a while. The pet will understand that biting and scratching its owner's arms and legs is unacceptable. And physical violence will embitter the animal even more.
Prohibitions must be observed by all family members. If the owner is trying to wean the animal from scratching and biting, and the relatives allow the baby to behave this way, you should not expect success.
You can't provoke a kitten. It is forbidden to deliberately tease a baby and then punish him for biting and scratching. The animal will become completely confused.
You should not play with a kitten without special devices. Toys that exclude direct contact will help to wean a kitten from biting and scratching during play: laser pointers, wind-up mice, bows on strings. You cannot use your own hands and feet. Otherwise, the baby will get used to scratching and biting.
You cannot limit your pet's movement. For proper development, the baby must run, jump, and imitate hunting. The lack of such an opportunity and being forced to stay within four walls cause behavioral anomalies.

To wean a kitten from scratching and biting, you need to establish the reason that caused such actions. After this, you can begin raising your child before the wrong behavior becomes a habit.

The kitten often bites people around him, what to do?

If a kind attitude does not help, the kitten gnaws or bites all family members without exception, then you should take the advice of specialists.

When buying a purebred kitten, you should definitely visit the nursery and find out the behavior of the kittens kept there. If a hand flashing in front of the kittens does not make any impression on them, this means that the animals are properly and well raised. But if this becomes a signal for kittens to attack, this means that they are not raised here.

The kitten bit your hand, don’t pull it out, but, on the contrary, crawl closer. This action should surprise the pet and it will weaken its jaw.
If the kitten attacks and bites, and there is nothing suitable at hand to distract it, then you can blow hard on the pet. From unpleasant sensations, the kitten will immediately change its intentions.
If a kitten bites a child, you should first find out why he did it and then punish the culprit. Adults should be aware that children themselves often provoke an aggressive reaction in animals by teasing them or hurting them. You can't do that!
Often a kitten bites during play, so you should play with animals using specially made devices. They are sold in veterinary stores, are inexpensive and very easy to use. You can build a toy for a kitten with your own hands and from available materials.
The kitten bites and with this action attracts attention. Take a closer look, maybe your pet is hungry, his tray is full, or something hurts.
Young animals are easier to train than adults. You should systematically adhere to the chosen methodology. Soon the whole family will feel positive changes - the kitten does not bite or scratch!

In the process of raising an animal, you should not beat or torture an animal; these actions will lead to anger and deterioration of relationships. Only patience, consistency and affection will give a positive result.