Is It Normal For Kittens To Bite And Scratch

Usually by about four months of age play biting and scratching should subside.

Is it normal for kittens to bite and scratch. Kittens love to play but when they become overexcited they often scratch and bite. A young kitten will pounce chase stalk wrestle bite and scratch its siblings and mother. Kittens bite and scratch while playing purring and cuddling and to cats this is completely normal behavior. Kittens are naturally very playful.

This is the time when each kitten learns how to use an inhibited bite so as not to. When they are around 8 weeks old part of their social development is to interact with their littermates by mock fights mini grappling and other rough playing matches. Before you can understand which type your cat is exhibiting it is important to remember that biting and scratching are perfectly normal behaviors for cats. But kitties can learn to inhibit the force of their bites and to use soft paws without claws.

Kittens are cute fluffy and irresistible it is natural to want to caress them and play with them using your hands however doing so is asking for a scratch or a bite. It is accepted behavior within the litter and it takes time for mom to teach them otherwise. It is an important part of their early development as kittens because it is their only means of defense as well as their natural way of killing prey in the wild. She s acting like a normal cat.

Young kittens will bite or scratch each other or their owners as part of play and this is normal. This is all normal behavior for a kitten. Because cats mouth and paw objects to explore their world it s natural for them to bite. A cat who bites or scratches when in pain frightened or being forced to do something she doesn t want to do doesn t have a behavior problem.

Bite and scratch inhibition can be taught to kittens the same way you teach your puppies. This is generally regarded as mock aggression. Problem biting and scratching is usually either a learned habit or miscommunication both of which can be corrected over time. This behavior is natural to kittens and is not a sign of hostility or fear most of the time but if left unchecked it can become a serious problem.

This is especially true when your kitten s playmate is a young child. Biting is normal for felines while they live with and socialize with their littermates and mom.