- Joined
- Jan 15, 2017
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Hi everyone. I'm writing in because my boyfriend and I are kind of at a loss as to what to do about our kitten. We've had her since October, and she's about 5 months old now. She's a torbie (tortoiseshell coat but one of the colors is tabby). We rescued her from a local shelter here in town. She's an only cat, indoors only because we live in an apartment (2nd floor). There's a grassy courtyard where other tenants frequently let their dogs run around off-leash, so we don't feel comfortable with her going out there.
Basically she has two modes: 1) cute, cuddly, purring, head-butting, kitten magic. 2) Destructive and painful. When she doesn't get what she wants (our cup of water, food, access to the counter) she uses claws and teeth. She lunges at our arms and hands and bites (sometimes even when we're minding our own business??), and she frequently (read all day every day) tries to climb my legs to get up to the counter, even if there's a stool pulled out for her to jump up.
(Ah, perfect. This just happened: I'm sitting here on the couch typing this post on my laptop and she just bit my wrist because I wouldn't let her bite my computer screen.)
Spray bottles don't seem to teach her anything. If I spray her for climbing me, she runs away and then comes back and almost seems to claw my legs out of spite.
Also, in case anyone thinks we don't play with her enough: fetch is literally her favorite game. We play fetch with her for what seems like hours a day. Also, more interactive play with lasers/feather stick toy/stuffed animals. She is very high-energy so there's a lot of play going on.
Anyway, I feel like I'm failing as a cat-guardian. I've had cats before, but never one that behaves so badly. I walk away if she gets too rough, I spray her with water when needed, and give cuddles when she's being sweet and sleepy. I feel like I'm doing everything right, per internet wisdom, but I just can't seem to make it through a day without multiple scratches on my arms/legs.
If you made it through the end of this post, bless you. I know this was a long one.
Please help. I'm at a loss.
Basically she has two modes: 1) cute, cuddly, purring, head-butting, kitten magic. 2) Destructive and painful. When she doesn't get what she wants (our cup of water, food, access to the counter) she uses claws and teeth. She lunges at our arms and hands and bites (sometimes even when we're minding our own business??), and she frequently (read all day every day) tries to climb my legs to get up to the counter, even if there's a stool pulled out for her to jump up.
(Ah, perfect. This just happened: I'm sitting here on the couch typing this post on my laptop and she just bit my wrist because I wouldn't let her bite my computer screen.)
Spray bottles don't seem to teach her anything. If I spray her for climbing me, she runs away and then comes back and almost seems to claw my legs out of spite.
Also, in case anyone thinks we don't play with her enough: fetch is literally her favorite game. We play fetch with her for what seems like hours a day. Also, more interactive play with lasers/feather stick toy/stuffed animals. She is very high-energy so there's a lot of play going on.
Anyway, I feel like I'm failing as a cat-guardian. I've had cats before, but never one that behaves so badly. I walk away if she gets too rough, I spray her with water when needed, and give cuddles when she's being sweet and sleepy. I feel like I'm doing everything right, per internet wisdom, but I just can't seem to make it through a day without multiple scratches on my arms/legs.
If you made it through the end of this post, bless you. I know this was a long one.
Please help. I'm at a loss.
She clearly loves you as she is showing affection. Her 'misbehaviours' are simply play and demands for attention. 
