Q&A for How to Teach Your Kitten to Be Calm and Relaxed

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How can I teach my kitten not to scratch?

Star of Texas Veterinary Hospital
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Star of Texas Veterinary Hospital is a team of four veterinarians based in Austin, Texas. Star of Texas Veterinary Hospital offers medical assessments, dentistry, ultrasonography, flea control, radiology, and cardiology services to dogs, cats, and pocket pets. Star of Texas Veterinary Hospital is Austin’s first Fear Free Certified Practice and was awarded "1st Runner Up in Culture" by the 2020 Best of the Best Austin Official Choice Awards. They were a Best of the Best winner in Austin's Official Community Choice Awards. Star of Texas Veterinary Hospital's veterinarians are members of the American Association of Feline Practitioners, the Texas Veterinary Medical Association, and the American Veterinary Medical Association.

Star of Texas Veterinary Hospital

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Expert Answer

Make sure you provide scratching posts and toys so your cat doesn't destroy anything it's not supposed to.

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Can I substitute catnip for Feliway? My cats always want to play at night, which annoys my family.

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS

Veterinarian

Expert Answer

No. Feliway is a synthetic feline pheromone which has a soothing and calming effect on cats. Catnip is a stimulant (in cats that are sensitive to it), and will make the cat even more hyper and excited.

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How do you calm a cat?

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS

Veterinarian

Expert Answer

The best way is to back off and give the cat space. Whether the cat is agitated because they are over-excited or fearful, withdrawing will help. In both instances, this removes the source of the agitation (the playmate or the thing they're fearful of) which allows the cat to calm down.

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My cat wants to play at night and wakes me by biting my face. I play with her through the day. What can I do?

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS

Veterinarian

Expert Answer

You have to be certain her efforts to wake you won't be rewarded with attention, so if necessary shut her out of the bedroom. Continue to play at regular intervals with her during the day, and make sure she is actively engaging and running after toys. If she is ad lib fed, switch to set mealtimes, with one a couple of hours before bedtime. Quiet the house down about half an hour before bedtime, and make any interactions with her quiet and sleepy. Tired, and with a full stomach, she should learn to settle down.

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Question

Why is my kitten being so aggressive?

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS

Veterinarian

Expert Answer

If the kitten didn't meet many people when tiny, then they may be poorly socialized and be aggressive. Just be patient and gentle with the kitten, and you will win their trust. Some kittens appear aggressive but are actually over-excited and bite hands thinking they are toys. For these kittens, redirect that play behavior onto toys and objects that are appropriate for the kitten to claw or bite.

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Question

How do I get my kitten to stop biting?

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS

Veterinarian

Expert Answer

Avoid using your hands as toys, as an over-excited kitten will bite them. Instead, use remote toys such as a wing-on-a string. If the kitten still bites you, make a distressed sound and let your hand go limp.

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Question

How much sleep is a kitten supposed to get?

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS

Veterinarian

Expert Answer

Kittens spend a lot of time asleep. An average of 20 hours per day is quite normal. Also, be aware that kittens tend to be most active at night...at precisely the same time you want to rest. Again, this is normal but if it's interrupting your sleep, be sure to play with the kitten during the day so they are tired at night.

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