Hello there! I'm new to the site! I'm Reli! =] I'm a Veterinary Assistant at a large 5 doctor practice in Southern California! And I am a "mom" to a 13 week old grey tabby named Gage! Unfortunately, I have been dealing with some play aggression that I was hoping people could give me some advice on or words of comfort that he is just a naughty boy who will grow out of it! My co-workers and Vet's all are convinced he will, but I'm a worrisome person.
Here is Gage's story:
(He's the top one!)
When he and is 3 litter mates were 3 weeks old they were found in a bush by a client of my work near his apartment. They were dirty, the 5th litter mate had passed away, and the mama was no where in site. My co-worker took them in, bottle fed them, and socialized them. When they were about 5 weeks old I took a turn babysitting them for a night. My boyfriend and I fell in love with Gage! A few days later we brought him home. He was sweet and cuddly! He ate fantastically and litter box trained immediately!
(5 and 1/2 weeks)
Although he was quite the cuddle-bug to begin with, I could tell from the beginning he was going to be the mischievous type. He would spit at you randomly when he became restless after cuddling and would nip. I started "no bite" training right away: replacing hands with toys, ignoring him or removing him from the room if he got rough while being held, and occasionally gently scruffing with a firm "no". Out of desperation I tried the water bottle - because instead of helping, all of these techniques rolled off of him like water! It wasn't until 8 weeks that the situation escalated. He hardly ever wanted to be cuddled anymore until he was exhausted. He started attacking legs and feet whether they were moving or not. If you tried to gently scruff him 8/10 times he would scream and try to kick you with his back legs - I was not rough at ALL. It was COMPLETELY a temper tantrum!
I bought him tons of toys, a crinkle tunnel, a scratching post. But the only thing that would sort of make him calm down was constant feather-wand play! And even after 40 minutes of non-stop play he would STILL go for feet or nip at you when you would pick him up.
Everything I read at the time said "get another kitten". Sadly, another kitten is not an option. It took 3 years to finally have my boyfriend agree to THIS kitten. And THIS kitten was driving him nuts!
(8 weeks)
Some of his behavior has calmed. When playing with a toy he will no longer be constantly distracted by the hand HOLDING the toy. But if you get your hand anywhere near him when he is in a non-cuddle mood (so 90% of the time) he will nip at you. If you pick him up at ALL when he doesn't want to (90% of the time) he will have his ears back, tail whipping and REALLY bite you. Hissing at him will get him to let go of your leg: but he still clings to moving legs.
He really can be a sweet boy. When he DOES cuddle he nuzzles your nose, purrs, licks your face and will sometimes nap with you. But it is always short lived and occasionally he will be unpredictable and swipe at your face out of nowhere.
I will say I DO work a lot. He does have to spend a good chunk of time alone. So I'm sure a part of this could be him acting out. I am hoping my hours are going to be reduced within the next couple weeks.
But, does anyone have an comments or advice? Will he grow out of this?
Did anyone else have hellion kittens that grew up to be nice and well behaved adults? =]
(Gage today at 13 weeks!)
Here is Gage's story:
(He's the top one!)
When he and is 3 litter mates were 3 weeks old they were found in a bush by a client of my work near his apartment. They were dirty, the 5th litter mate had passed away, and the mama was no where in site. My co-worker took them in, bottle fed them, and socialized them. When they were about 5 weeks old I took a turn babysitting them for a night. My boyfriend and I fell in love with Gage! A few days later we brought him home. He was sweet and cuddly! He ate fantastically and litter box trained immediately!
(5 and 1/2 weeks)
Although he was quite the cuddle-bug to begin with, I could tell from the beginning he was going to be the mischievous type. He would spit at you randomly when he became restless after cuddling and would nip. I started "no bite" training right away: replacing hands with toys, ignoring him or removing him from the room if he got rough while being held, and occasionally gently scruffing with a firm "no". Out of desperation I tried the water bottle - because instead of helping, all of these techniques rolled off of him like water! It wasn't until 8 weeks that the situation escalated. He hardly ever wanted to be cuddled anymore until he was exhausted. He started attacking legs and feet whether they were moving or not. If you tried to gently scruff him 8/10 times he would scream and try to kick you with his back legs - I was not rough at ALL. It was COMPLETELY a temper tantrum!
I bought him tons of toys, a crinkle tunnel, a scratching post. But the only thing that would sort of make him calm down was constant feather-wand play! And even after 40 minutes of non-stop play he would STILL go for feet or nip at you when you would pick him up.
Everything I read at the time said "get another kitten". Sadly, another kitten is not an option. It took 3 years to finally have my boyfriend agree to THIS kitten. And THIS kitten was driving him nuts!
(8 weeks)
Some of his behavior has calmed. When playing with a toy he will no longer be constantly distracted by the hand HOLDING the toy. But if you get your hand anywhere near him when he is in a non-cuddle mood (so 90% of the time) he will nip at you. If you pick him up at ALL when he doesn't want to (90% of the time) he will have his ears back, tail whipping and REALLY bite you. Hissing at him will get him to let go of your leg: but he still clings to moving legs.
He really can be a sweet boy. When he DOES cuddle he nuzzles your nose, purrs, licks your face and will sometimes nap with you. But it is always short lived and occasionally he will be unpredictable and swipe at your face out of nowhere.
I will say I DO work a lot. He does have to spend a good chunk of time alone. So I'm sure a part of this could be him acting out. I am hoping my hours are going to be reduced within the next couple weeks.
But, does anyone have an comments or advice? Will he grow out of this?
Did anyone else have hellion kittens that grew up to be nice and well behaved adults? =]
(Gage today at 13 weeks!)