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 kittens bite and scratch. Pippa elliott mrcvs veterinarian dr. Medical causes range from undetected wounds to distress from mites or fleas to a hormonal imbalance such as hyperthyroidism. Some owners find it nearly impossible to resist wrestling with a tiny playful kitten they will wrestle the kitten with their hand letting the kitten bite and scratch them. When new and unusual behavior problems arise in your cat including aggressive biting and scratching it could be a sign of an underlying illness.

How do i make him stop. Elliott bvms mrcvs is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. It could be to assert dominance or respond to a threat. A well socialized adult cat that knows the rules of cat play teaches the best lessons to kittens.

Kittens can also bite as a way of communicating a need as a way of exploring their environment or because they are teething. Fortunately for siblings and their mother they have a protective layer of thick fur to insulate from most bites and scratches we are not so lucky. In most cases kittens scratch and bite in play. Biting and scratching usually occurs as a result of the owner s actions.

She has worked. Kittens are naturally very playful. Cats are actually very predictable creatures and biting and scratching are cause and effect behaviors just as most other undesirable behaviors. My kitten bites and scratches me when i pet him but i think it s supposed to be playful.

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. For adult cats there may be a few reasons for biting. It is as they grow with their litter mates. This is how they learn to socialize with their siblings test boundaries and just have fun.

It is a precursor for hunting behaviour and helps your kitten develop motor skills as well as explore his environment. If you suspect that your cat may be acting aggressively because they are in pain then you should contact your vet immediately. Occasionally though scratching and biting can be a sign that your kitten is frightened angry or in pain. Ways to discourage your cat from scratching biting.

If your kitten s biting and scratching is uncharacteristic of them it may be caused by illness or injury. They will stalk wrestle roll bite scratch kick their littermates and mother. There are two basic kinds of biting and scratching behaviors in cats and both of them are often caused by our own human failings.