teething question

I just joined your forum today and I sure hope you all don't mind my questions, I am brand new to owning a cat. I have plenty of puppy experience but zero kitty experience and are going by the seat of our pants a bit.
Please tell me, do kittens teethhh like dogs do, as in they have to gnaw on all things. My little guy has this rather painful habit. He starts by licking on a finger, and next thing we know he has it jammed way down his throat and twists his mouth about so that our finger is to the side of his mouth and "chomp and gnaw" with his little piercing kitty teeth. Is this normal, it is painful to us humans.

They do loose teeth, but in my experience they don't "teeth" like puppys or babies. This tends to be typical kitten play behavior. Now is a good time to teach that the hands aren't toys. When your kitten does this, give a loud "ouch" or "no". Once he lets go, give him an appropriate toy to play with. Once they get the idea that it's okay to play with your hands, it's harder to get them to stop.

Originally Posted by Sandie

They do loose teeth, but in my experience they don't "teeth" like puppys or babies. This tends to be typical kitten play behavior. Now is a good time to teach that the hands aren't toys. When your kitten does this, give a loud "ouch" or "no". Once he lets go, give him an appropriate toy to play with. Once they get the idea that it's okay to play with your hands, it's harder to get them to stop.

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Also, when he stops licking and starts chewing or biting, don't just grab your hand away as he will see this as a game. If he doesn't let go, take a substitute soft toy like a catnip mouse or stuffed animal and put that beside your hand and in between his front paws next to the mouth. As you withdraw your hand move the toy forward so that his paws and teeth transfer to the toy, not your hand. Sometimes, when petting, little kittens also start to play with hands. If this happens, stop moving your hand right away. He should release it, but if not, then again put a substitute toy right by your hand for him to transfer his attentions to. You want him to associate hands with care and comfort, but not necessarily as toys and playthings.

I did notice mine do a little more chewing on things when they were teething, but no where near the amount a dog does.

Kathryn

L.S. chewed on anything he find, furniture, carpets, bowl, boxes, blankets...humans. He had a rough time, and was really moody.

I think it varies from kitten to kitten as to how they go through it. I've seen kittens who just spit out teeth with no problems. They never change in personality, and you'll go to change the water in their dish and find a tooth.

Just make sure he has large hard-ish toys (like sisal mice or leather mice), and try to get him to use that instead of your hands. L.S. eventually stopped trying to eat our hands, feet, shoulders, etc, once he was around seven months.

Bakker is teething terribly-I don't think I've had a cat before that was so obvious. His 2 lower fangs are now in and this past weekend I saw both sets of fangs on top starting-I had thought of buying a small dog chew toy-but by time I would bey one he would be done!!

Your cat should be finished with teething by 6 months. Teeting in kittens is much shorter lasting about 2-3 weeks or less. You will also notice bad breath during this time. This is normal. It will pass. As posted above, never subsitute your fingers for a toy. Anytime you place your hands in front of kitty's mouth during teething, have a toy in your hand. My two went through teething without problems.