How to discipline a kitten
Discussion
Meet George
At the time of this picture he was just under 8 weeks old and we've now had him for a couple of weeks, he's settled in ok with his meal times etc. etc.
I've grown up with cats but it's been at least 20 years since I had a kitten.
We've got a nearly 3 year old little boy so I thought George would be a great companion for him growing up.
The "Problem" we have is that George is VERY boisterous and likes attacking hands and legs, my Son is understandably concerned at this and I wanted to see what the PH masses thoughts are.
I know he is still very young so should grow out of it but how should we be disciplining him? I normally go with a stern No followed by swiftly putting him on the floor, a couple of times I've scruffed him and held him down but that didn't really seem to achieve much apart from making him angry.
I can't allow him to claw/ bite my son as he'll grow up terrified of cats which I don't want at all.
If nothing else I just wanted reassurance that the "Ginger Assassin" will grow out of his boisterous behaviour. (He will be neutered when his time comes)
At the time of this picture he was just under 8 weeks old and we've now had him for a couple of weeks, he's settled in ok with his meal times etc. etc.
I've grown up with cats but it's been at least 20 years since I had a kitten.
We've got a nearly 3 year old little boy so I thought George would be a great companion for him growing up.
The "Problem" we have is that George is VERY boisterous and likes attacking hands and legs, my Son is understandably concerned at this and I wanted to see what the PH masses thoughts are.
I know he is still very young so should grow out of it but how should we be disciplining him? I normally go with a stern No followed by swiftly putting him on the floor, a couple of times I've scruffed him and held him down but that didn't really seem to achieve much apart from making him angry.
I can't allow him to claw/ bite my son as he'll grow up terrified of cats which I don't want at all.
If nothing else I just wanted reassurance that the "Ginger Assassin" will grow out of his boisterous behaviour. (He will be neutered when his time comes)
Doofus said:
If you fear your son will grow up scared of cats due to some scratching or biting, then your problem lies with your son, or you, not the kitten.
How about using it as an opportunity to teach your son how to treat animals, and how to learn when the cat wants to play and when it wants to be left alone.
Kittens will be kittens, you can't train them. Children will be children, and you can train those.
HTH
He's not the one playing with the kitten, it's the kitten running up to him clawing and biting that's concerning him, surely you can appreciate that for a 3 year old, a kitten running up to you and clawing and biting you when you're not even touching/ looking at him is a bit worrying. How about using it as an opportunity to teach your son how to treat animals, and how to learn when the cat wants to play and when it wants to be left alone.
Kittens will be kittens, you can't train them. Children will be children, and you can train those.
HTH
Thanks for the responses, hopefully he'll learn soon that hands aren't to be played (with claws and teeth) with.
Getting another one isn't feasible at the minute unfortunately.
Are "normal" cat clippers ok to use on him or should I use something else? I did see mention on a vet site about using human nail clippers on a kitten, not sure if they meant that you can use them or should use them.
Getting another one isn't feasible at the minute unfortunately.
Are "normal" cat clippers ok to use on him or should I use something else? I did see mention on a vet site about using human nail clippers on a kitten, not sure if they meant that you can use them or should use them.
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