Aggressive 8 month old kitten

[julch]

Hello!

I adopted my kitten, Cash, from the Humane Society almost two months ago. He is the first cat I have ever had so I'm really not sure how to handle him. He is a very energetic boy and loves to play and run around! I spend lots of time each day playing with him, and I have leash trained him and we go out on a walk around my yard three or four times a week. Even with all of this exercise, he has some built up aggression. He ALWAYS scratches my furniture, even though he has two posts and I pick him up and place him on his posts any time he scratches a chair or the couch. He also has a biting problem. He often pouches on my hands or legs, and will latch on and really bite hard and kick at my arm with his hind legs. I got him a Kong kickeroo and will loudly shout "NO" when he bites me, and then give him his toy, but he never wants to actually play with it. I really love having him, but it is so discouraging that after nearly two months of having him, he is still being really crazy. Any help I can get here is much appreciated.

Thank you!

 

[gareth]

Well, first off, it sounds like you are doing lots of the RIGHT things, so kudos to you. This sounds like rough play, rather than true aggression, so there of scope for sorting things out

I am going to assume he has been neutered? If not, there's your first step.

Are you out all day - he might just be lonely and needing more stimulus.

If he is primarily an indoor cat then I'd consider getting another cat to keep him company. Let them play with each other rather than you all the time. Whilst he is still young it is the best time as integration is easier. Two cats really are not much more work than 1 as they tend to socialise with each other a lot more so are not so demanding. 

Make sure you have toys that create distance, like a dangly thing on a pole with elastic (technical term). That way he gets used to the idea of playing with things that are disconnected for you

Lots of stimulus in terms of new things to investigate. The great news - this is cheap. A new cardboard box every few days will cost you nothing and give something to investigate and, if he is anything like Mia, tear to pieces.

Throw things ahead of you to redirect his attention as you are walking around. again you are creating distance in play

 

[nezumi]

I have to second getting a fishing rod toy. My two adore them. I have to hide them away when I'm tired though (!) because they will bring it back to me if I put it down.

Young cats have the energy of a four year old after 4 packs of haribo and they never seem to get tired. I would always recommend getting two if you're getting a kitten, it's definitely more expensive but they tire each other out then sleep in a kitten pile.