- Joined
- Nov 12, 2015
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Hello all!
About two months ago I took in a semi-feral 6month old kitten. The vet wasn't TOO sure of age, but wasn't a kitten-kitten but definitely not 1 years old. I am having a scratching issue. He has adjusted pretty well to indoor lifestyle. No problem with litter box. Eats well. Gets along 'okay' with other cats. He likes to chase them and sometimes they don't like that. But, the scratching is becoming an issue.
Sometime's he lets me pet him. In fact wants me to. He likes to be near me in bed and I'll pet him. I looked up youtube videos that say put finger on their nose and then see if they push in, letting me know i can pet him. So, that's what I do. After like 10 strokes, it seems the lower I get on his body/back sometimes he just goes to attack, biting, scratching and putting his feet up up to scratch too. When just a second ago he was loving it. I am trying to be more mindful when petting him. I tell him no, I make my arm limp take it away and look to give him a toy. But, I'm not sure if I am rewarding his action of scratching by giving him a toy? and Is it better to give them no attention when they scratch, or to say no so they learn no. But that is negative reinforcement which I know is not the best teacher.
Then sometime's he lets me pick him up and its fine. Just now I picked him up and he got angry, but I also saw on youtube, you're not supposed to let them go right away when they get all finicky in your arms because it teaches them that's all they have to do and you'll put them down. So, I've been scrunching his back neck, waiting until he stops and then letting him down. it was my fault because I leaned my face in when I did that and he scratching my face pretty hard. I am just feeling frustrated and wonder if I'm always going to have to worry about my own cat scratching me, my face and friends and family. I love him and of course there are so many moments of reward. Just feeling a bit frustrated right now and sad that after all our bonding he'll scratch me like that. Any tricks or advice you may have would be super appreciated. Thanks in advance,
New semi-feral owner losing it ! lol not really, but help would be appreciated from my fellow cat warriors
About two months ago I took in a semi-feral 6month old kitten. The vet wasn't TOO sure of age, but wasn't a kitten-kitten but definitely not 1 years old. I am having a scratching issue. He has adjusted pretty well to indoor lifestyle. No problem with litter box. Eats well. Gets along 'okay' with other cats. He likes to chase them and sometimes they don't like that. But, the scratching is becoming an issue.
Sometime's he lets me pet him. In fact wants me to. He likes to be near me in bed and I'll pet him. I looked up youtube videos that say put finger on their nose and then see if they push in, letting me know i can pet him. So, that's what I do. After like 10 strokes, it seems the lower I get on his body/back sometimes he just goes to attack, biting, scratching and putting his feet up up to scratch too. When just a second ago he was loving it. I am trying to be more mindful when petting him. I tell him no, I make my arm limp take it away and look to give him a toy. But, I'm not sure if I am rewarding his action of scratching by giving him a toy? and Is it better to give them no attention when they scratch, or to say no so they learn no. But that is negative reinforcement which I know is not the best teacher.
Then sometime's he lets me pick him up and its fine. Just now I picked him up and he got angry, but I also saw on youtube, you're not supposed to let them go right away when they get all finicky in your arms because it teaches them that's all they have to do and you'll put them down. So, I've been scrunching his back neck, waiting until he stops and then letting him down. it was my fault because I leaned my face in when I did that and he scratching my face pretty hard. I am just feeling frustrated and wonder if I'm always going to have to worry about my own cat scratching me, my face and friends and family. I love him and of course there are so many moments of reward. Just feeling a bit frustrated right now and sad that after all our bonding he'll scratch me like that. Any tricks or advice you may have would be super appreciated. Thanks in advance,
New semi-feral owner losing it ! lol not really, but help would be appreciated from my fellow cat warriors