Biting Aggressivly?

[Winniethebullet]

Hello! So I got my 4 month old kitten about 3 weeks ago. She is amazing but has strange habits... in the morning at like 6 am she will decide to meow. And not just one meow. But multiple loud meows. She will usually wake me up. Just because I am glad she doesn't wake me up at 3 am anymore I kinda look past that. I'm hoping she will learn not to wake me up at 6. But when I open the door to my room she will instantly run in and want to play. RIGHT AWAY. Instead of allowing me to pet her she will gently bite me and play around with random things. Her bites have never drawn blood but I constantly wonder why does she bite? If she is on my lap and I'm working on my laptop or watching TV I will be petting her. She is fully content but all of a sudden she will try to bite me. But it's gentle... once she has bitten once she will not stop I sometimes have to shut her in the bathroom. But then she just meows and meows until I let her out. She is a funny cat and I would like to know why she does these things... does anyone have any ideas?

 

[dahli6]

That is really just how kittens play at 4 months.

 

[LeiLana80]

Kittens are nutty. Their whims change in an instant.
With that said, you just have to take the time to train them not to bite. When the biting starts, you stop your contact with her- distract her with a toy. Teach her to bite and play with toys, not hands/people!

And because you have her apart from you at night (which is fine), she is so excited to see you in the mornings, she can't control herself and just goes all nutty.

Do you put her in a room at night? What I would do is play with her a lot before you go to bed, then put her into a different bedroom for the night. Then, when YOU are ready in the morning, let her out again. That way she is not calling the shots!
Make sure she has lots of toys when she's in that room, and that it's a safe zone for her to climb and explore (windows are a huge bonus too).

 

[sabian]

It sounds like love bites to me. I had a cat once that liked to lick my chin when I picked him up. I thought it was cute but he licked hard with that little sandpaper tongue!...lol...I would pull back and he would bite at me. At first I thought he was being aggressive but then I realized after a few times he just wanted to lick my chin and it was his way of telling me not to pull away. I let him do it and he would just grab my chin with his teeth and literally look at me like, I'm trying to love on you, stop pulling away! He never drew blood or broke the skin. I just let him lick my chin until he got done and he was fine. Sometimes I would pull away just so he would bite at me. It was funny after I realized what he was doing.

As long as she isn't being aggressive I wouldn't worry about it. I do think she's trying to tell you something in her actions. I think she's just wants to play and maybe rubbing her gets her wound up and makes her want to play. Try playing with her when she does this and wear her out and see if it calms her down.

 

[Winniethebullet]

Wow! Okay, these are all great ideas thanks so much you guys! I will consider all of these and I very much think they will help. To reply to sabian, Winnie kind of does that too. She will lick my fingers and if I pull away she will try and gently bat my hand down with her paws. So she might just wanna show she loves me! Thanks so much guys!

 

[Burlews]

Sounds like normal teething/play/boredom from being quiet all night .. Here is site I found that may help.. I also would make sure to have 2-3 play times you can use to tire her out, best to make it her routine and more around times before she will be alone and/or you're wanting quiet time.. Cat toys are necessity, toys she can "wrestle" with like she would littermates (and that's not your hand or any skin), own cat space (where she can run, hide, etc alone.. And helpful if radio/tv on low for "white noise" for comfort/distraction.. Has she been checked by vet also to neuter, update shots, etc? (Shelters usually offer free first visit with adoption- or vets will offer free office exam for new furry children) or shelters have clinic available for lower cost and some based on area you live, kitten "seasons", income, etc.. Also using aromatherapy with natural oils that can be plugged in to outlet (away from young child's reach) or battery-operated, and natural alternatives for cats as treats or mixed with food to help minimize separation anxieties/arousal/negative behaviors.. (Although kitten behavior is mainly learned from mother and littermate so not really "negative" normally if in that environment).. My heart goes out to you for giving her love and a home, and hoping all of our suggestions will help.. (There are also "animal behavior specialists" that you can write or call that may offer more assistance (free or low-cost) and books available/videos to learn proper techniques and other ideas.. For sure separate kitten from yourself & your family before any known "trigger" times, etc.. Best of luck! or Teach Your Kitten How to Play Nice : The Humane Society of the United States=