Q&A for How to Stop a Cat from Biting and Scratching

If a kitten bites, let your hand (or whatever was bitten) go limp and not move. Stop the game by backing off or leaving the room. This teaches her that the fun stops if she bites.

There are plenty of ways to make excellent cat toys without spending any money. Try crinkling up paper into a ball, have her chase a shoe lace, or put plastic milk bottle tops in an empty bath for her to play cat ice-hockey. Cats love climbing into boxes, so provide a variety of different sized boxes. Be imaginative, and, by making her home a rich and exciting place, she will be more peaceable.

The dilated eyes suggest this is play behavior, no matter how painful for you! Hand-reared kittens lack social skills learnt from play with other kittens, and she's never learnt how to inhibit her biting or scratching during play. In the short term, if you've been injured you may need to stop her being in the bedroom. Never play games with your hands and use toys such as a wing-on-a-string that are at a distance from her. Also, if she does pounce, let her know it hurts by screeching, although avoid pulling away as this only triggers further hunting behavior.

In the same way that a small child may suck their thumb or carry around a security blanket, kittens hang onto some of their "baby" behavior. Snuggling in close, perhaps kneading with his paws, or even sucking are all immature behaviors which give the kitten comfort in a big scary world. This is natural behavior that's hard-wired into him and makes him feel good.

Cats are individuals, and the way they react to affection depends on their personality, previous experiences, and their socialization as kittens. In a multi-cat household, another factor to consider is the status of the different cats. They will consider you as a prized "resource," so the top cat may want you all to herself and prevent the other cats from approaching for a cuddle.

You've discovered a common problem with hand-reared kittens, which is a tendency to be too rough. Because she hasn't played with other kittens, she hasn't had negative feedback when she bites or claws too hard. Get her to play with toys at a distance, such as a wing-on-a-string, and avoid playing with your hands. Keep her claws clipped short, and if she does scratch (no matter how softly) squeal so she knows it hurts. Avoid smacking or wagging a finger as she may take the movement as part of the game and attack more.

Kittens love to pounce and play to improve their coordination, a vital skill when it comes to hunting. However, they often become too rough, and, although they aren't being nasty, they can hurt their people when they bite. For this reason, it is a bad idea to invite a kitten to play with hands or feet as this can lead onto painful ambushes as you walk. Instead, encourage play with toys or objects on a string.

It is well recognized that some cats bite and scratch inappropriately when disturbed at rest. Put a rug over your knee and then if you need to move, use the rug to tip him off your knee. Likewise, learn to read the tell-tale signs he is about to lash out - such as a wagging tail or dilated eyes - and act first by tipping him off your knee.

Encourage him to play with toys that are not handheld, such as a laser pointer or a wing-on-a-string. This helps to tire him out and satisfy the need to pounce. When he scratches, be sure to yelp so he know it hurts, but avoid jumping away, as this stimulates his prey drive. Instead, if necessary, spritz him with a water mister to stop the behavior.

It might be that she's showing instinctive behavior related to nurturing kittens. Grooming young kittens in this way stimulates the circulation to their skin, keeps odors down, and helps remove parasites.

There are many reasons a cat may bite, including aggression and misplaced play behavior. You will get clues as to the cat's motivation by looking at her body language and if she's relaxed or tense.

It might be that when she tries to bite your nose, you accidentally reward her with attention. Thus, she learns a great way to have you pay attention to her is to nip.