Why Do Kittens Bite And Scratch

Problem biting and scratching is usually either a learned habit or miscommunication both of which can be corrected over time.

Why do kittens bite and scratch. She graduated from the university of glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. Why do cats bite and scratch. Kitten biting can be cute and harmless when your cat is a baby but can turn painful as cats get bigger. In most cases kittens scratch and bite in play.

It could be to assert dominance or respond to a threat. To be sure this is not the case. Kittens can also bite as a way of communicating a need as a way of exploring their environment or because they are teething. Elliott bvms mrcvs is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice.

Possibly but it might be neither. This is how they learn to socialize with their siblings test boundaries and just have fun. Why does my cat bite me for no reason. She has worked.

When they are around 8 weeks old part of their social development is to interact with their littermates by mock fights mini grappling and other rough playing matches. While some cats love to be petted for hours on end sometimes a cat becomes overstimulated for one reason or another and want to opt out of the petting session but don t know how to tell you when to stop. Occasionally though scratching and biting can be a sign that your kitten is frightened angry or in pain. A well socialized adult cat that knows the rules of cat play teaches the best lessons to kittens.

Cat bites can be dangerous if not taken care of properly. Cats have sharp teeth that are able to make deep punctures and cats mouths harbor a lot of bacteria that can potentially cause infection. Most cats and kittens who are biters and scratchers were either separated from their litter mates too early or were only kittens and weren t socialised. She s acting like a normal cat.

If left untreated or not given proper first aid care cat bites can lead to infection cat scratch fever or in rare cases rabies. It is as they grow with their litter mates. Why do kittens scratch and bite. Pippa elliott mrcvs veterinarian dr.

We do not have. Bite and scratch inhibition can be taught to kittens the same way you teach your puppies. Learn more about why your cat is biting you. Kittens are naturally very playful.

That s why the common scratching and biting behavior don t seem to resolve with some cat owners because they have the illusion that their cats are untrainable so it is not worth a try. If the puncture wound is deep and dirt or outside debris get into the wound tetanus can also be of concern. My kitten bites and scratches me when i pet him but i think it s supposed to be playful. Aggressive biting often happens during a petting session when the human companion either doesn t understand or ignores the cat s body language.

Here s how to stop kitten biting the right way. A cat who bites or scratches when in pain frightened or being forced to do something she doesn t want to do doesn t have a behavior problem.