Always train with positive reinforcement. Use “time outs” or a squirt bottle filled with water to distract your kitten from behaviors you want to prevent. If your kitten misbehaves at home or during his first veterinary visit, discuss with your vet ways to in which to work with him.
Why Do Kittens Misbehave? Kittens are like babies. The are constantly learning about the world around them and what behavior is acceptable and what isn't through positive and negative reinforcement. When your kitten misbehaves, it's not trying to be "bad." It's simply learning how to behave.
Reprimand your cat gently.
Avoid screaming, as this can upset your cat. Simply say, "No" when it engages in a negative behavior. If your cat stops the behavior when you ask, reward it with treats, a toy, or praise. If your cat does not listen when you say "No," try adding a small clap as well.
The transition to adulthood ordinarily occurs from 1 to 2 years old. At this time, and possibly after neutering, a cat may retain a lot of energy but should be notably calmer with it reaching full maturity at 2. From 3 to 10 years old, a cat is relatively calm but remains active.
Training your kitten can start by teaching a simple behavior like sitting on command. Right after you ask your kitten to sit, you can use a clicker or voice commands like 'yes' and 'good job' when his or her bottom hits the ground. As soon as your kitten sits, bring out a reward, like treats or cat food.
If you are doing all of the above and your kitten consistently nips or pounces on you, simply walk away and end the interaction when they show this behavior. With consistency, the kitten will learn that nipping/pouncing leads to a loss of attention and it's not in their self-interest to do this behavior.
There are a several events that can be traumatic, says Dr. Houpt. “By far the most common trauma cats face is moving – being removed from their environment and placed in unfamiliar surroundings.” In fact, going to a shelter is one of the most traumatic situations cats face, says Dr. Houpt.
A cat can be aggressive for many reasons, including pain or illness, fear, stress, or overstimulation. If your cat is lashing out, check in with your vet first, particularly if the aggression is a new behavior. The cause can be medical, so your vet will first look for a health issue.
When your cat meows repeatedly, give a signal, such as a light foot stomp. Only pet your cat or give a treat when he or she stops meowing. Likewise, you can redirect a needy cat by playing with him or her. Distracting him or her from irritating behavior can reduce it altogether.
Perhaps most important, punishment, whether interactive or remote, should never be a substitute for good supervision and the opportunity to engage in the proper behavior. This is very important with kittens that are learning what is acceptable in a new home.
As a general rule, cats are sensitive when it comes to smells, but there are a few scents they hate that might just surprise you. They can't stand citrus and as much as you might love the smell of fresh herbs, cats hate rosemary and thyme. Banana and mustard are a big no-no too, as well as lavender and eucalyptus.
No. Here's the problem with spraying a cat with water: The only thing the cat learns is that when he sees the water bottle, it's time to run. “Run whenever you see this bottle” is not a particularly useful cue to teach, and running to escape punishment is not a positive way to interact with your cat.
The good news is that most kittens calm down with age. Cats develop much quicker than their hooman families so you can expect your kitten to slow down at around 9-14 months as they advance into adulthood.
The sensitive period for such learning to occur in cats is between 2 – 7 weeks of age. During this time period, owners can engineer all kinds of useful friendships between animals of the same or different species. As many owners already know, cats don't just bond to their moms or to their human owners.
While exploratory biting and scratching are normal, anything with clear aggression behind it is not. If your kitten is displaying signs of aggression such as hard biting, scratching that draws blood, and dangerous fighting with other kittens, this is abnormal and problematic behavior.
This study shows that cats respond functionally to their owner's emotional stimuli when their owner showed “anger” or “anxiety”, and their stress levels were higher as compared to when they were shown “happiness”.
In kittens, most aggression is caused by fear or curiosity. In older cats, there may be other reasons for cat aggression and attacks, such as redirected aggression, or when a cat lashes out at its owner because it senses something is wrong.