Kitten Being a Jerk

Hi guys. My sweet little Simon is turning 9 months on April 5th. He's always been an affectionate and sweet kitten. He's chosen me as his "mother" so to speak and I thought our bond was strong. Lately he's being such a jerk. He comes sits on my lap for affection and when we start cuddling he'll lick my hands and arms and then start biting me out of nowhere. Not sure what's going on. Other times I'll randomly give him kisses when he's around the house and he seems fine. It's almost like he's moody!

He's active and eating like a horse. Everything seems fine. Nothing out of the ordinary except him being a jerk. And he's a bit naughtier than usual. Will stand by the door and meow or try to catch my attention by pawing at the curtains when he knows it's a no no.

What should I do? How do I train him not to bite or do something he's not supposed to? Is this some teenage phase? I have to note we were at my parents on the weekend and had been aggressive towards our cat there. Chasing her and pawing or clawing at her. We don't wait to find out. We used a water bottle on him as a last resort because he just wouldn't leave her alone.

Advice? I miss my sweet little guy.

Sounds like he definitely needs to be neutered or the aggression will get worse, and the spraying, yowling, and escaping will start. It also takes up to 6 weeks after a neutering for all the hormones to leave the body. If he has been neutered then this behavior is still explained by his growing up, he just needs to be directed towards something else. Have a toy handy, like a kickaroo from Amazon or pet store and offer it to him if he starts biting. Growl loudly at him (or a loud NO if you have others in the room) and leave the room, that is what a mama cat does. This is about the age when they start to get a lot less affectionate. The affection may return at a later age when he finally settles down and gets over all these hormone changes. But only if he is neutered, the behavior usually escalates if not. All the luck!

He's already neutered...Was neutered back in December. I'll try having the kickaroo with me. He does take out some aggression on that. It's just strange because he comes to ME....when I approach him and give him pets and kisses, he seems to be just fine....but when he comes onto my lap and seems to want cuddles and then just turns around and starts biting me with his ears reared back....strange. It's not enough to draw blood, but it's not fun! I don't want him becoming aggressive later on.

I've been using no. It doesn't seem to work. I know he understands it though because I use that word and 'off' to get him off the counter in the kitchen. Of course, he also seems to have selective hearing (rolls eyes).

I'll keep trying. I love this monster to pieces. Even if he currently does not always love me back....*cries*

Yes, your kitten is in his teenage "years".  Fortunately for us humans, the cat's adolescent "years" will only last several months on our timeline.  You have now entered the Cat Twighlight Zone when your sweet kitten seems to have turned into a beast overnight.

You'll need patience and a good sense of humor.  Since he was a friendly affectionate young kitten, then he will most likely grow into a sweet friendly affectionate adult.  In the meantime, expect middle of the night cat zoomies, biting/kicking, destruction of property, and testing all boundaries.  Always remember that he is not "trying" to be a bad kitty.  He is just a teenager doing what teenagers do. 

Keep repeating to yourself, "This too shall pass".

I was wondering if someone could help me with a problem I'm having?
My oldest cat Sebastian is about 4 years old and has always been very loyal and loving, he would sleep besides me every night and would follow me around, until recently I had all 4 of my wisdom teeth extracted and ever since I had the surgery which was 3 days ago, he refused to come near me,he no longer sleeps besides me and when I try to pick him up he try to rn away and is constantly trying to leave my room. My face has swollen quite a lot and I don't know if it's that but it's making me feel terrible...Any idea why he's like that?

sidney799 said:

I was wondering if someone could help me with a problem I'm having?
My oldest cat Sebastian is about 4 years old and has always been very loyal and loving, he would sleep besides me every night and would follow me around, until recently I had all 4 of my wisdom teeth extracted and ever since I had the surgery which was 3 days ago, he refused to come near me,he no longer sleeps besides me and when I try to pick him up he try to rn away and is constantly trying to leave my room. My face has swollen quite a lot and I don't know if it's that but it's making me feel terrible...Any idea why he's like that?

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You smell different to him since your surgery. You have been somewhere new & he is confused by new smells. As you say, you look a bit different too. I'm sure all will be resolved in a few days.

Primula says, he will come around when you smell more like yourself.  

Don't try to pick him up or pet him, wait for him to come to you. 

Orange&White said:

 
Yes, your kitten is in his teenage "years".  Fortunately for us humans, the cat's adolescent "years" will only last several months on our timeline.  You have now entered the Cat Twighlight Zone when your sweet kitten seems to have turned into a beast overnight.

You'll need patience and a good sense of humor.  Since he was a friendly affectionate young kitten, then he will most likely grow into a sweet friendly affectionate adult.  In the meantime, expect middle of the night cat zoomies, biting/kicking, destruction of property, and testing all boundaries.  Always remember that he is not "trying" to be a bad kitty.  He is just a teenager doing what teenagers do. 

Keep repeating to yourself, "This too shall pass".

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This made me smile. Phew! I really hope you're right. It's true though, seems like humor is the best bet. He's such a little monster lol. But so cute!

Any advice on how to keep him off counters and tables? In terms of the biting, I just take him off my lap now and leave the room like someone suggested. Give him a firm NO.

yogakitty said:

 
This made me smile. Phew! I really hope you're right. It's true though, seems like humor is the best bet. He's such a little monster lol. But so cute!

Any advice on how to keep him off counters and tables? In terms of the biting, I just take him off my lap now and leave the room like someone suggested. Give him a firm NO.

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My cats are allowed on the counters and tables, so I'm not much help with that.  I'm kind of a pacifist with the kitties and say "Let cats be cats."  lol  The only time I don't want cats on the counters is when I'm preparing food.  I'll pick up the cat put it on the floor without saying anything, wash my hands and keep prepping.  If after several repetitions, the cat keeps jumping up, then I'll take it back to a bedroom and shut the door until I'm through prepping/cooking.  Most of my cats learned that they could roam the counters, except when I started cooking.  One cat spent a lot of time in the bedroom his whole life while I cooked.

There is  "No Go Zone" thread here for ideas on "training" cats to stay off counters/tables.  I just don't believe in water bottles, yelling "No", growling or hissing at my cats.  I also think they will get on your tables/counters anyway when you aren't home.   http://www.thecatsite.com/forum/newestpost/336615

You're handling the biting just fine.  Another thing to try is when you are petting, and you kitten turns into Teenage Mutant Ninja Cat with the biting/kicking, stop petting immediately but do not move your hand away from him.  Just let your hand "play dead" (go limp with no movement).  Simon's most likely reaction will be to stop biting/kicking and start licking your hand...or he might decide that you're no fun and zoom away.  If he stops but doesn't run, then you can move your hand away slowly or try to pet again.