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Posted by Martisimo on February 25, 2003 at 12:52:01:
In Reply to: Mean Kitten posted by papabill on February 25, 2003 at 12:06:22:
Well.
First of all, I would be surprised (I guess a bit pleasantly) if the word "psycho" would not apply to every healthy 5 month old kitten -- especially if they have no other cat or kitten with a similar play drive to help them get out that energy. Having a second kitten can work wonders for his energy -- of course FeLv/FIV test and spay or neuter any new cat before bringing them home. A five month old kitten can be best described by bringing to mind the Tazmanian devil from the Warner Brother's cartoons. That's normal.
It's also normal for cats, again, especially young ones, to destroy plants, whether you've had them for years or not. Some people can have unprotected plants and cats, but most can't. No one I know who has cats has plants intact unless the cats can't get to them.
He is a kitten, settling down of any sort isn't in his nature right now, even more so when grandchildren are over - kids tend to get kittens riled up. I'm concerned when you mention being scratched on the hands that the children may have been playing with him with their hands, letting him nip and and play attack them. Many people do this because kittens are so cute doing it, but when they get bigger and the energy drive really kicks in it's not fun anymore for the humans. Basically, letting him play with any body part is teaching him that you are a good plaything. Don't let anyone do this anymore - tell the kids to only play with him using toys or not at all if they don't want to do that -- I recommend a laser pointer for him to chase. It will run a bunch of energy out of him and he won't associate it as much with people.
Some cats are just plain not good with strangers. If you are having visitors put him up before they come over, or if unexpected, before letting them in. If it's necessary to chase him down, shake a pounce can to entice him into a room, give him a treat and shut him in there with water and litterbox while you have company. That will eliminate the visitor problem completely.
I don't recommend smacking his bottom. If the squirt bottle has become useless use the cans of air that are sold for cleaning computer keyboards -- they make a nice, loud hissing noise.
Also, do you trim his nails? That will make them much less sharp.
:My wife and I just got a kitten about 2 months ago from a person she worked with . It was born in a barn outside. We have had dogs before but never a cat. This kitten (5 months old) is psyco.
:He is somtimes fine with my wife and purrs while she pets him on her lap. Other times he wants to play aggresively and she has many scratch marks on her hands and legs. He will not settle down with the grandchildren. Occasionally someone will come to the house and he will "attack" them. He will growl, lunge,bite and scratch them. One of the persons he does not like, is a very gentle animal type person. He has torn apart plants that my wife has had for years. We have used spray bottles. I have smacked him on his bottom. He has also bitten me when I try to seperate him from company that he growls at. Is this kitten going to be a good pet? We somehow through all this, have grown very close to him. Any suggestions???
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