How to tell a kitten off?
Discussion
OK so dogs learn commands but kittens don't do they?
Lexi is a very sweet little kitten (9.5 weeks) and she snuggles up and loves her tummy rubbed and cuddles, but she has a very annoying habit forming that I need to try and stop, she likes snuggling up near my face, especially in the morning when I wake up she will lay on my pillow and rub her head against my face, licks my cheek and purrs like mad, all very cute and all that, but.... then if I move or open my eyes she pounces and paws me in the face/eyes with her claws! it bloody hurts!
she also has a thing about attacking feet, claws and bites them (only when we are in bed)
So does telling her "no" actually do any good? or should we ignore it as she thinks it's a game?
Lexi is our first kitten, we have had rescue adult cats before, so any advice on getting her to behave herself would be good please Pet PH'rs
the evil attack monster in training lol -

Lexi is a very sweet little kitten (9.5 weeks) and she snuggles up and loves her tummy rubbed and cuddles, but she has a very annoying habit forming that I need to try and stop, she likes snuggling up near my face, especially in the morning when I wake up she will lay on my pillow and rub her head against my face, licks my cheek and purrs like mad, all very cute and all that, but.... then if I move or open my eyes she pounces and paws me in the face/eyes with her claws! it bloody hurts!
she also has a thing about attacking feet, claws and bites them (only when we are in bed)
So does telling her "no" actually do any good? or should we ignore it as she thinks it's a game?
Lexi is our first kitten, we have had rescue adult cats before, so any advice on getting her to behave herself would be good please Pet PH'rs

the evil attack monster in training lol -
our other cat sleeps downstairs so we have taken her upstairs as they have only been together a week or so and kitten doesn't leave older cat alone, Ideally they would both be downstairs...
also stairs and our bedroom newly carpeted and we dont want to close door incase she scratches all the carpet up! she sleeps in her own cat bed all night, its only when she wakes in the morning and comes to play/attack that she does this! lol
also stairs and our bedroom newly carpeted and we dont want to close door incase she scratches all the carpet up! she sleeps in her own cat bed all night, its only when she wakes in the morning and comes to play/attack that she does this! lol
A stern No (which can be hard when they are making you giggle!) is generally all that is needed, I use a loud clap with it to distract them. If you do it everytime they soon learn. Far easier to teach a cat what not to do than to do something (that takes food
)
Use the same tone & word everytime they do something you don't want them to do, that way they associate the word with new things as well.
A water pistol is also effective, saying No at the same time, but I wouldn't do that in bed
I'd use the clap at them (which also means you don't have to have a loaded water pistol with you at all times). I tend to use the water pistol for mantlepieces/shelves/work surface/tables etc
I would never tap a kitten/cat on the nose (or anywhere else).
I don't use their name either. You want them to react favourably to their name so they come when you call them, they react to it & then get squirted kinda defeats that purpose. I always reward when they come to their name, with a treat or a fuss, and good girl/boy. That way if there is an emergency & I need them to come to me, I know they will come.
Well Bast & Chilli always would anyway
It came in useful when I came home from work one day to find the fire alarms going off in the flats. I ran in, called them, they came running & I put them straight in the basket & got them outside (there was no fire). Pepi does usually, unless he has seen I have shoes on (he thinks that is a Vet trip & hides). Beauty is still learning.
)Use the same tone & word everytime they do something you don't want them to do, that way they associate the word with new things as well.
A water pistol is also effective, saying No at the same time, but I wouldn't do that in bed
I'd use the clap at them (which also means you don't have to have a loaded water pistol with you at all times). I tend to use the water pistol for mantlepieces/shelves/work surface/tables etcI would never tap a kitten/cat on the nose (or anywhere else).
I don't use their name either. You want them to react favourably to their name so they come when you call them, they react to it & then get squirted kinda defeats that purpose. I always reward when they come to their name, with a treat or a fuss, and good girl/boy. That way if there is an emergency & I need them to come to me, I know they will come.
Well Bast & Chilli always would anyway
It came in useful when I came home from work one day to find the fire alarms going off in the flats. I ran in, called them, they came running & I put them straight in the basket & got them outside (there was no fire). Pepi does usually, unless he has seen I have shoes on (he thinks that is a Vet trip & hides). Beauty is still learning. Mubby said:
she likes snuggling up near my face, especially in the morning when I wake up she will lay on my pillow and rub her head against my face, licks my cheek and purrs like mad, all very cute and all that, but.... then if I move or open my eyes she pounces and paws me in the face/eyes with her claws! it bloody hurts!

Our Ragdoll has developed an annoying habit of clawing your face at 3am. It's very annoying.
She's an indoor cat so sleeps all day and seems to come alive at night. Flicking her (lightly I must add) on the nose seems to be doing the trick.
My other (half bengal) is completely independant and has never done so much as scratch where she shouldn't.
She's an indoor cat so sleeps all day and seems to come alive at night. Flicking her (lightly I must add) on the nose seems to be doing the trick.
My other (half bengal) is completely independant and has never done so much as scratch where she shouldn't.
Gassing Station | All Creatures Great & Small | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff




