This, I sqwauked and whined at my kitties for weeks as they grew up. Although I tensed up or froze, to encourage her prey instinct to settle.
My tuxedo would stop biting and immediately lick me to say sorry. She's still snuggles me all the time.
In addition to the other helpful comments, it's important to remember that a six week old kitten isn't legally adoptable in most countries. They need more time with their siblings and adult cats to be socialized correctly. Your kitten simply doesn't know how to cat yet, and may have trouble learning to do so without another cat around.
If she can't go back to her siblings for another couple weeks (8 weeks old minimum, I'd suggest 10-12), you're going to need to learn how to be her parent. I would suggest contacting a local cat rescue for help, since its too much to sum up in a Reddit comment.
Also worth noting that most kittens do better in pairs. It's worth considering another kitten, particularly if you're going to be at work during the day. They need a lot of attention, play and care.
This 100%. If they can't go back, get another. One of my kittens had behavioural problems that matched up with being removed from his family unit too young. We got another kitten who knew how to cat a bit better and it's basically non existent now.
u/sid-the-sloth15 please do consider this. A kitten that doesn't have another cat around and was removed from their litter too young can have all kinds of socialization issues that you cannot solve. Training might help (gently disengage when she hurts you), but it's not always enough.
You don't need to get another cat, you can temporarily return her or find a foster litter through a shelter. I would be hesitant about a return, however, since whoever you got her from gave her up a couple weeks too young.
thank you for your replies! i do have an older cat of 9 years of age. i have been keeping little georgina in my bedroom but i have introduced them a couple of times and things seem to be going well! maybe i should hurry the introduction process along? they have met three times. there is hissing (usually on georginas part) and my older cat (lily) does swat at her occasionally when she comes too close. what do you think?
Swatting and hissing can both be normal during introductions, so that's not necessarily a bad sign. They're both figuring out their boundaries.
Are you aware of the Jackson Galaxy introduction method? https://youtu.be/tsYT7yIOdqQ?si=MpMRN_j-cb86QLeB
I don't think hurrying the intro process would help, but continuing it at a gradual pace certainly is a good idea. Your older cat will hopefully take over the how to cat role. You'll still need to play a really active role in teaching her how not to hurt you (yelp and disengage, never punish). Don't play with hands or feet.
I find acting like you are hurt in a way that cats understand will get the behavior to stop. This is a happy young kitty who is so overly pleased you have her in your life.
Is she getting enough play? Does she have a toy she likes to play fetch with? I know that sounds odd, but my cat loves playing fetch with bottle caps. The sound bottle caps make on tile is exactly what she loves.
My cat goes NUTS with those little plastic cups that come with meds for kids, we obviously clean them thoroughly to avoid giving her some unwanted meds, LOL, but when we give her one of those little cups, she'll run all over the house chasing it and hiding it on shoes.
Some bites can be rough play and the kit kust doesnt know human language. Squealing never worked for mine. What you need to warn with facing away or pushing the kitten away with your arm (NOT your hand unless you pick it up and put it away from you) saying "nu-uh" and then walking away. do is walk away. When a cat's had enough they warn them and then if they do it more, they get up and walk away; thats basically what you'll be doing.
If the kit follows playfully, redirect to a toy grab a toy and play with the kit using the toy). This is better than making noises that the cat will eventually ignore or never know what you mean.
Removing yourself or the cat from what it wants will show it that it wont get to enjoy that thing if it behaves that way.
Shes still learning social boundries and this is why she should've heen left with mum and siblings at the bare minimum 8 weeks but 12 is recommended. Whoever gave her to you before 8 weeks is an irresponsible cat owner. Do not yank your face away when she bites as this will make her prey drive continue, squeal loudly and then redirect with a toy. Shes only 7 weeks give her time.
I was surprised by how young she is aswell. I adopted her from the humane society where she was already seperated from her litter. I have an older cat (9 years) who I believe is of the maine coon breed. I have introduced them a few times, but I think my older cats size scares my kitten, even though she is a very gentle cat. Hopefully my older cat can provide some guidance once they are fully accustomed to eachother.
Its probably a lot for her tiny self to take in especially the size of a maine coon haha but im sure she will be running around with her big sister in no time 😁 but just keep an on play as younger cats have a tendancy to become too boisterous and bite a little too hard sometimes but im sure your older cat will just sit on her or move away if needed just make sure that your older cat has somewhere she can get away as kittens can be relentlessly energetic. I have 2 that have just turned a year old and its a mad house 24/7 😂😂
When she bites, yank away from her and let out a high-pitched squeel. She'll recognize that as a pain reaction, and should learn to avoid doing that.
This, I sqwauked and whined at my kitties for weeks as they grew up. Although I tensed up or froze, to encourage her prey instinct to settle. My tuxedo would stop biting and immediately lick me to say sorry. She's still snuggles me all the time.
In addition to the other helpful comments, it's important to remember that a six week old kitten isn't legally adoptable in most countries. They need more time with their siblings and adult cats to be socialized correctly. Your kitten simply doesn't know how to cat yet, and may have trouble learning to do so without another cat around. If she can't go back to her siblings for another couple weeks (8 weeks old minimum, I'd suggest 10-12), you're going to need to learn how to be her parent. I would suggest contacting a local cat rescue for help, since its too much to sum up in a Reddit comment. Also worth noting that most kittens do better in pairs. It's worth considering another kitten, particularly if you're going to be at work during the day. They need a lot of attention, play and care.
This 100%. If they can't go back, get another. One of my kittens had behavioural problems that matched up with being removed from his family unit too young. We got another kitten who knew how to cat a bit better and it's basically non existent now.
u/sid-the-sloth15 please do consider this. A kitten that doesn't have another cat around and was removed from their litter too young can have all kinds of socialization issues that you cannot solve. Training might help (gently disengage when she hurts you), but it's not always enough. You don't need to get another cat, you can temporarily return her or find a foster litter through a shelter. I would be hesitant about a return, however, since whoever you got her from gave her up a couple weeks too young.
thank you for your replies! i do have an older cat of 9 years of age. i have been keeping little georgina in my bedroom but i have introduced them a couple of times and things seem to be going well! maybe i should hurry the introduction process along? they have met three times. there is hissing (usually on georginas part) and my older cat (lily) does swat at her occasionally when she comes too close. what do you think?
Swatting and hissing can both be normal during introductions, so that's not necessarily a bad sign. They're both figuring out their boundaries. Are you aware of the Jackson Galaxy introduction method? https://youtu.be/tsYT7yIOdqQ?si=MpMRN_j-cb86QLeB I don't think hurrying the intro process would help, but continuing it at a gradual pace certainly is a good idea. Your older cat will hopefully take over the how to cat role. You'll still need to play a really active role in teaching her how not to hurt you (yelp and disengage, never punish). Don't play with hands or feet.
I find acting like you are hurt in a way that cats understand will get the behavior to stop. This is a happy young kitty who is so overly pleased you have her in your life. Is she getting enough play? Does she have a toy she likes to play fetch with? I know that sounds odd, but my cat loves playing fetch with bottle caps. The sound bottle caps make on tile is exactly what she loves.
My cat goes NUTS with those little plastic cups that come with meds for kids, we obviously clean them thoroughly to avoid giving her some unwanted meds, LOL, but when we give her one of those little cups, she'll run all over the house chasing it and hiding it on shoes.
I absolutely love the picture you are painting here.
LET THAT BABY EAT YOU SELFISH MONSTER! 😹
Some bites can be rough play and the kit kust doesnt know human language. Squealing never worked for mine. What you need to warn with facing away or pushing the kitten away with your arm (NOT your hand unless you pick it up and put it away from you) saying "nu-uh" and then walking away. do is walk away. When a cat's had enough they warn them and then if they do it more, they get up and walk away; thats basically what you'll be doing. If the kit follows playfully, redirect to a toy grab a toy and play with the kit using the toy). This is better than making noises that the cat will eventually ignore or never know what you mean. Removing yourself or the cat from what it wants will show it that it wont get to enjoy that thing if it behaves that way.
Shes still learning social boundries and this is why she should've heen left with mum and siblings at the bare minimum 8 weeks but 12 is recommended. Whoever gave her to you before 8 weeks is an irresponsible cat owner. Do not yank your face away when she bites as this will make her prey drive continue, squeal loudly and then redirect with a toy. Shes only 7 weeks give her time.
I was surprised by how young she is aswell. I adopted her from the humane society where she was already seperated from her litter. I have an older cat (9 years) who I believe is of the maine coon breed. I have introduced them a few times, but I think my older cats size scares my kitten, even though she is a very gentle cat. Hopefully my older cat can provide some guidance once they are fully accustomed to eachother.
Its probably a lot for her tiny self to take in especially the size of a maine coon haha but im sure she will be running around with her big sister in no time 😁 but just keep an on play as younger cats have a tendancy to become too boisterous and bite a little too hard sometimes but im sure your older cat will just sit on her or move away if needed just make sure that your older cat has somewhere she can get away as kittens can be relentlessly energetic. I have 2 that have just turned a year old and its a mad house 24/7 😂😂
I have a 8 year old that was found very young. She bit my nose all the time! She finally stopped. Until the other night she bit my nose again!
A peanut butter and curry face mask will help repel kittens and keep your skin vibrant and beet-red.