Kitten Problems

Hello, I received a kitten (5 weeks old) for Christmas. Love her to pieces, she's adorable. But...she won't let me rest, the minute I sit on the couch she is all over me, biting little "love" bites... which those razor sharp little teeth start to become very annoying.  I end up having to stand to get her off me. She has been with me now 16 days (seems a lot longer), she is using the litter box, but yesterday when I got home from work, she went on my grandsons chair, I could tell by her stance she was peeing... sure enough she did exactly that. I realize this kitten should have stayed longer with her mother, but I don't know the back ground, she came from a shelter. How do I stop that nibbling and if she starts using other places to relieve herself... any suggestions? Should I lock her in the larger bathroom when I'm not home?  Even though so far she is not doing anything destructive when I'm at work or at night.  Thank you for your help.

I would keep her in a smaller area when you are not around.  Make sure to have food, water and litter available.

She is a small kitten and has a small bladder.  Kittens do not always make it too far by the time they realize it's time to go, so having multiple litter boxes near places she plays is a must.

Thank you for your reply, I will do that.  It was odd because she was using the litter box, then the one time, so I knew I had to wait to see if it was a problem. I didn't say anything to her, guess I just figured she's a baby accidents happen.

She is very very young, meaning short attention span, memory and under-developed bladder control.

However, she DOES have full control, just not for long, kittens this age need the box almost literally under their nose because when it hits them that it's time, they need that box in plain view and will become faithful users for life.

Kittens will not seek the box out until 9-10 weeks old.

While she is still small, she is learning that biting is play, so do not allow this anymore.

No biting and no claws out when interacting with you.

There may be better ways of teaching kittens, but for me and the zillion kittens I've had (have a cat rescue group) immediately when kitten bites, I do one of 3 things, depending on their age and personality, or what works best!

I stop moving right then, say she is biting your hand, with the other hand grab her scruff, squeeze and say a firm NO!

If she is teasingly nibble biting, I will make this strong sound like EHT, like mimicking a timer buzzer going off! haha but it works, meant to instantly grab their attention.

If I'm dealing with a kitten who is 7 weeks or more and has already learned that biting is part of play, I am a bit stronger, doing the scruff and no thing holding the scruff firmly and a little shake of the kitten when I say NO!

This is because scruffing is inborn instinct meant for 2 things from momma cat. 

Discipline and carrying.

Nature tells them to freeze and go limp so that momma can carry the baby without squirming around, which would make it harder for her to relocate.

She also teaches them by grabbing their scruff when she is teaching them not to do something.

So in young kittens, they respond very well to the scruffing, usually letting go right then and there.

NEVER allow her to bite. She is growing like a weed now and bites get stronger and more annoying and painful as the weeks go by.

Same with scratching, your hand is not a furry mouse to maul, do the same thing and scruff her and tell her NO!

After repeating this if she doesn't stop, scruff her and set her on the floor.

She won't like this and you repeating it will get through her little head this is negative feeling and she doesn't want it. 

It's very important to spend time playing with kitten too, at least 2 vigorous play seesions per day, more is good, but she will soon learn that mom is not always playing, there are times to relax too. Hard for very young though, their little minds are so full of mischief!

Wear her out with play, wand toys are great, laser lights too. Be sure one of her play sessions with you are right before bedtime.

What sounds really concerning is that Shelter Rescue released a kitten to be rehomed at this AGE! it's not acceptable in Canada. Kittens need their mothers care minimum up to 8 weeks of age plus interacting with other kittens sibblings.

Most do not approve of Gifting pets either. You have no support regarding training? nurturing guidance? you're now standing up to shake a kitten off  You!  Soiling in other areas than box, could be a one time issue mistake due to odors or more serious medical when continued.  I'm sorry this kitten's turned  into a nuisance for you. Considering confining her in a large washroom while you're away from home due to washroom issues. A single pet can turn into a burden very easily, Kittens require time lots of attention, patience training not trying to sound negative perhaps consider returning her and getting an older cat who has lived as a single cat would fit into your schedule lifestyle better. Five weeks is young plus you've had her for 16 days = 2 weeks so perhaps 7 weeks old. If you decide to keep her you need to have the time to spend to bond/train and love her cats live to be 15 years plus so it takes commitment. Some people manage better with cats than kittens to...

Let me start by saying thank you for the reply. My husband gave me the kitten, it was not an gift from a stranger.  My cat after 19 years passed away 2 years ago and I was looking for another kitten. And let me clarify I'm not standing and shaking the kitten off me. I stand when she doesn't respond to the repeating word NO. I read an article that suggested remove yourself if they keep biting. I'm not returning her, that's not a choice... I thought that's why I would ask for suggestions. My last two cats I had I got from the Humane Society and they lived a long happy life. No, I never had a 5 week old, so I'm asking for help. If people just get rid of a kitten because it's a little work, that would be the worst thing ever, you can just learn from others and do the right thing for this sweet little girl.

Seventhheaven said:

 
What sounds really concerning is that Shelter Rescue released a kitten to be rehomed at this AGE! it's not acceptable in Canada. Kittens need their mothers care minimum up to 8 weeks of age plus interacting with other kittens sibblings.

Most do not approve of Gifting pets either. You have no support regarding training? nurturing guidance? you're now standing up to shake a kitten off  You!  Soiling in other areas than box, could be a one time issue mistake due to odors or more serious medical when continued.  I'm sorry this kitten's turned  into a nuisance for you. Considering confining her in a large washroom while you're away from home due to washroom issues. A single pet can turn into a burden very easily, Kittens require time lots of attention, patience training not trying to sound negative perhaps consider returning her and getting an older cat who has lived as a single cat would fit into your schedule lifestyle better. Five weeks is young plus you've had her for 16 days = 2 weeks so perhaps 7 weeks old. If you decide to keep her you need to have the time to spend to bond/train and love her cats live to be 15 years plus so it takes commitment. Some people manage better with cats than kittens to...

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I agree.  Also, its common shelters wants there is another  cat or friendly dog in the household, otherwise they sells them in pairs  ESPECieLLY   if they are very young.

I suppose here they had lotsa of kittens to take care of, but too few good foster homes.   And thus, happily released this kitten too young, just because they found a good home.

Possibly the kitten was born semiferal - in such cases its good to adopt them out as young - where the fostering is easy.

As we do see here, she is essentially a tiny kitten behaving fully  "age-adequate".  But not having any other company nor anyone other to wrestle with and bite for play,  she bites her human momma...

Her biological momma would learn her not to overdo, so here the human adoptive momma must do it, along the lines Catwoman draw out.

Debbie989 said:

 
Let me start by saying thank you for the reply. My husband gave me the kitten, it was not an gift from a stranger.  My cat after 19 years passed away 2 years ago and I was looking for another kitten. And let me clarify I'm not standing and shaking the kitten off me. I stand when she doesn't respond to the repeating word NO. I read an article that suggested remove yourself if they keep biting. I'm not returning her, that's not a choice... I thought that's why I would ask for suggestions. My last two cats I had I got from the Humane Society and they lived a long happy life. No, I never had a 5 week old, so I'm asking for help. If people just get rid of a kitten because it's a little work, that would be the worst thing ever, you can just learn from others and do the right thing for this sweet little girl.

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Not sure where you are or the population of cats there either, what's commonly done is shelters will get them fixed first before adopting out, which is at least 9 weeks old, but as I say, just depends on where you are and what their policies are.

No reflection on you as a new kitten parent though! Shoot, who doesn't adore baby kittens!! 

One mention to you is that due to her age and not having a sibling/exact same age playmate, she will grow up to not have properly learned how to interact with other cats.

Between the ages of 3 1/2 weeks and 10 weeks, narrowed down even more, from 4 weeks to 7 weeks is when they learn by steps how to interact with other cats and what their boundaries are.

It's a process beginning with a little toddle towards a sib, tagging them with their paw and turning around and toddling away, waiting for a return tag.

In a week they start lightweight wrestling, the underdog will cry out and the top guy releases. Then it's repeated, over and over. They learn the signal when to release, how much is too much, and so on.

In the next 3-4 weeks it's all the same but escalates to championship wrestling matches! 

When a kitten is unable to learn along side a sib, they usually become too aggressive towards other cats, ending up as adults to not really having friends or getting along so well, and those are the cats who "prefer to be an only cat" throughout their lives.

It's okay, lots of cats are, but just a heads up on this.

Would be so fab to get a sibling if possible!!

Thank you, that is GREAT advice and I truly appreciate it. This is what I needed to hear.  Yes, after reading articles I learned to keep saying no when she bites, have a toy handy and play with her teaching her this is the toy not my hand, if she still bites, remove yourself, so I stand up so she can't bite me. I understand this kitten was too young to leave the shelter, but I don't know the background of the situation. My husband told me the cat room was overwhelming, tons of cats, so this little baby might be better with us.  She is simply adorable and I just want to do what's best for her. And returning her as one person suggested is not an option.

I love this suggestion... I will make this strong sound like EHT, like mimicking a timer buzzer going off! haha but it works, meant to instantly grab their attention.

Thank you again, I keep rereading your reply and it has tons of helpful information. It's amazing and wonderful that you being a rescue group take the time to answer questions for people looking for help. Thank you for that, makes you very special

Happy New Year.

This reply was to Catwoman707, guess I didn't connect it correctly.

Thanks so much, and I am always happy to help share my experience as I have been doing rescue for many years, I couldn't begin to count the litters of kittens! So I pretty well have their behaviors down

Anytime!

BTW, not sure if you are aware of vaccines, etc so a quick rundown, as kitty parvo (panleukopenia) is a kitten killer, and is everywhere.

First vaccine should be given soon, I would get this done within the next week, and her first deworming.

Second deworming in 2 weeks after, and the second vaccine 3-4 weeks after her first.

Third and final will be 3-4 weeks after the 2nd one.

Then she will be fully protected.

This is just as important for indoor only as those allowed outside.

NEVER let her outside unless she has had at least her first 2 vaccines! She is extremely vulnerable now that momma cat's antibodies are just about completely worn off, lots of big bad viruses just waiting for a little chicky to come along.......grass is especially dangerous.

This is why even an indoor only kitten needs these vaccines, they are called their 'core' vaccines, and will keep her safe throughout her life.

They should be the modified live virus vaccines, and called FVRCP. Standard for vets to give but some still use not modified live ones, these are not good enough and also the ones that can potentially cause injection site sarcomas later on in life.

Anyone walking in to your house from outside can bring viruses in on their shoes, and we want her to stay healthy and grow up strong

Oh! Also, don't let the vet tell you she should get the FELV vaccine, or anything else for that matter.

Rabies once at no younger than 6 months, I prefer 1 year for that, and just once when the next FVRCP vaccine is due.

After that she does NOT need yearly vaccine, some vets still insist on overvaccinating. Just an fyi for ya!

Oh, and if you want to be able to bathe her or trim her nails or brush her, now is the time to routinely do this so she won't fight it later on.

Thank you again Catwoman, I printed your reply and I'll put it with my paperwork to be sure I get the shots needed.

We plan on taking her to the vet this coming week, to be sure she has all she needs.

She will never be an outside cat, but I agree about the germs people bring in on their shoes.  Thank you.

Thanks Debbie for clarifying that obviously you had some input in regards to aquiring  a kitten

 personally I wouldn't support a shelter selling kittens at 5 weeks old to me that's not much of a shelter a baby kitten has just started to eat solids weaned then instantly rehomed. A kitten purchased from a rescue should not need 'rescuing' not only does a 5 week old kitten need work the kitten can end up having behavioral problems creating homelessness as an adult.  Some kittens are special needs mother has passed etc but normally they will try to foster them with another feline mother until 8- 12 weeks of age. Good Luck with your new fur friend lots of good advice here ~