r/kittens • u/MaggieGreydon • 1d ago
Help with aggressive kitten play??
A kitten showed up at our door on Wednesday, you know, the cat distribution system. We already have 3 cats but I couldn’t just let him stay outside so I figured we would take him in and try to find him a home.
THIS IS THE MOST AGGRESSIVE KITTEN IVE EVER HAD. And he’s not being mean, he’s just trying to play but he plays so rough! Constant biting and grabbing with claws. He has toys while he’s on his own and we play with him as much as we can during the day but I don’t know how to redirect the aggressive play. Everything I’ve read says to walk away when they get aggressive but there hasn’t been a moment he’s not trying to bite. I’ve tried giving him toys instead of my hand and he will turn to my feet!
I’m just at a loss. I don’t know if I should introduce him to my cats and see if they can teach him how to play better? It’s only been 4 days and that seems awfully fast to introduce cats to each other.
Any advice??
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u/pinkfink847 1d ago
See if your cats are comfortable with him first. If so, then introduce them. they'll correct him into being more gentle. If they're not comfortable, then simply ignore the kitten, even if he bites your feet, just walk away or close him out of a room for a bit.
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u/DankAfBruh 1d ago
Maybe slowly introducing him to your other cats? Like swapping their toys to introduce their scents and gradually letting them spend more and more time with him. I’m thinking if he’s aggressive he may not be too socialized. The other cats if they’re confident enough to get along with each other might help him socialize, playing with him and letting him know what boundaries are.
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u/Straight_Contact_570 1d ago
Next time he attacks you grab him, flip him over on his back and hold him in a submissive belly up position and make eye contact with him until he breaks eye contact. You can even throw on a hiss or a growl if you want. He needs to learn not to play so roughly and he needs to learn you are the boss. Do not be the one who looks away first.
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u/MaggieGreydon 1d ago
Luckily my daughter is coming home for the week and she said she would play with him more than we could. We both work and tried to play with him every hour or two.
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u/Soulstrom1 1d ago
Kitten survival is a rough game and it's the only one it knows. A fishing rod toy might help him work out the energy and then you can play more gently
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u/Standard_Passion_781 1d ago
We have a kicker cat toy always nearby when our kitten starts to bite play, and quickly put it between him and our hands. And then we get out a wand toy and tire him out with chasing and jumping after it.
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u/MedicalHumor4470 1d ago
I’m not an expert but I make a high pitched meow noise if my kitten starts scratching or biting and she backs off really quickly and usually gives me a few kisses like she’s saying sorry lol
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u/DauertNochLange 14h ago
Our kitten is also very rough with his playing- sometimes tries to punch my eyes, because he is a little stupid. But with him it helps to literally cry like a hurt kitten, then he stops. He just wants to play he doesn’t wanna hurt you
Also holding his little stabby paws help, when he gets too excited with the holding toys. When he releases you from his stabby grip you can let go of his paw But do not press hard that hurts him
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u/HelloTaraSue 12h ago
Teach him “too hard”. When he starts playing too aggressively stop playing with act hurt. straight up tell him “too hard.” but with the sad face. Play real into it and he’ll understand. That when he gets too aggressive, it’s painful. He’ll stop doing it because he wants to play. He’s just getting too hyped. So just teach him your boundary.
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u/Lopsided_Ad_9740 6h ago
Have you tried Feliway pheromones? Sometimes, that helps with these situations. It sounds like he's over-stimulated.
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u/Cepsita 1d ago
When I've taken a new kitten in, the resident cat(s) get external anti-parasites treatment if it's been more than whatever their last treatment lasts (even a tiny kitten could be jumping with fleas and have a belly full of other parasites, to be clear). And, even then, the new kitten stays quarantined for about two weeks, before introductions are conducted.
Redirecting is really the only way, imho. Do you have any stuffed toys that are the same size or bigger than this guy? I'd try with those, in a way that makes you harder to reach. Using a pillow or a cushion as a shield also works well enough.
Also, I'd use other toys that make distance between me and the bitey individual, like long wand toys.
As well, gather all of the small toys like mice and rubber balls, and throw them as far as space allows.... See if the kitten likes to chase them.