It is natural for kittens to play aggressively. Most people choose kittens as pets because they seem to be sweet and cuddly, but they are not aware of their mood. They can use their teeth and claws most of the time. Be aware that they can be rough when playing. Kittens play aggressively as a normal part of growing up as they learn the predatory skills a cat in the wild needs to survive. You can be sure that most kittens outgrow this aggressive stage and become sweet, lovable cats who would never think of hurting you, either by biting or scratching.
Aggressive behavior of kittens during play
Kittens begin to play when they are very young. This involves horseplay and somersaults with his mother and siblings. It is normal for young kittens to chase, fight, bite, scratch, jump and stalk their mother and siblings. Generally, this is considered “simulated” assault. The kitten does not intend to hurt anyone, but rather wants to have a good time. This is normal behavior for a kitten.
Kittens learn to interact within their litter and reduce their overly aggressive behavior. When a kitten becomes very aggressive towards a sibling, the sibling often corrects this by retaliating, growling, or simply stopping playing because he is hurt. The offender just wants to play and therefore finds that being too aggressive could stop playtime. When the kitten becomes too aggressive, his mother gives him a warning with a smack or a growl. The kittens continue to signal to each other to show that the interaction involves play and not aggressive behavior. Subconsciously, a kitten learns to control aggression by interacting with his mother and his siblings.
How to prevent a kitten from biting and scratching
Biting and scratching occur as a result of the actions of the owner. It’s nearly impossible for some owners to resist the urge to wrestle their playful kitty. When they wrestle with their kitten, they usually let it bite and scratch their hand. Although this may seem cute at first, it won’t be as the kitten grows into a strong cat and rough play with it could cause pain and bleeding.
Try the following tips to prevent your kitty from biting and scratching:
Your kitty craves your attention and often wants to play, but try to draw her attention away from her body parts and toward a soft toy or group of toys that are her size. Wobble or move the toy in a tempting way. Let your kitty wrestle with it.
When the play gets really rough and the kitty starts biting or scratching you, it’s time to stop playing. Your kitty can learn from you just like he learns from his mother and siblings from him. Once he starts biting or scratching and gets too aggressive, the game is simply over. Just say “NO” in a firm tone, clap your hands loudly, and then walk away, ignoring your kitty.
