Impulse Buy Kitten Biting

[OneBlackBean]

Hi! I was just wondering if any of you had any advice for how to solve the problem me and my little guy are having.

He's about 13 weeks old, and was an impulse buy of my dads for my 5 year old brother, but he's definitely ended up in my care. I work from home so the majority of the time I am with him, and I think it's for this reason he seems to favour me which I don't mind, but I don't have much experience in cats, he's the first I've ever really known. He litter box trained fine, it only took a few days for me to get him and our dog comfy with each other, and I haven't had any real problems than him biting my face before he goes to bed. He sleeps with me, and I've set down a pretty solid routine of playing with him for at least 40 minutes with his favourite toy, then feeding him while I go get ready for bed. Then he hops in with me, purrs up a storm, and start to bite my face, mainly my nose and chin. For the past two weeks I've been picking him up when he does it and putting him on the floor, but he keeps doing it till he's satisfied, then curls up on my pillow and sleeps.

For the life of me, I can't figure out why. I'm not sure if he's teething, if it's comfort, or just habit. He's never drawn blood, just leaves some red marks that fade by morning.

Thanks for any advice, me and ouija appreciate it!
(The only good picture I have on this phone is of him led next to my dog, nala. Apologies!)

 

[neely]

Welcome to TCS! Glad you found the forum and hope other members will weigh in with suggestions or advice. For now I'll try to do my best to help. First, I love that your kitten and dog are getting along so well. Our previous cat, Neely, and our previous dog were best buds too.

Regarding your question it seems as though the kitten has bonded with you as his mom. Is he actually biting? Is he drawing blood or just nipping playfully? You can say "No" in a firm, strong voice, not yelling or shouting but No or even Ouch!!! He is still quite young and it will take a bit of time for him to learn the rules of the house. Good for you to play with him for 40 min. before bedtime. Best of luck with your new guy, please continue to post pics as he grows.

 

[karrotlover]

I think that's a common kitten thing. When I adopted my cat at 6 months old, he would get all hyper in the middle of the night and do things like walk back and forth across my neck, bite my nose, bite my fiance's beard, etc. Whenever he would do really unacceptable things, like biting my nose, I would hiss at him really loudly. It sounds weird, but I think it worked. That's what another cat might do to them to teach them manners. He grew out of it in a month or so, and since he was around 9-10 months old he's been doing this absolutely sweet thing every morning where he gently wakes us up by cuddling up on my chest and purring when my alarm goes off. And never before the alarm. =) So I have high hopes yours will grow out of it too!

 

[OneBlackBean]

I think that's a common kitten thing. When I adopted my cat at 6 months old, he would get all hyper in the middle of the night and do things like walk back and forth across my neck, bite my nose, bite my fiance's beard, etc. Whenever he would do really unacceptable things, like biting my nose, I would hiss at him really loudly. It sounds weird, but I think it worked. That's what another cat might do to them to teach them manners. He grew out of it in a month or so, and since he was around 9-10 months old he's been doing this absolutely sweet thing every morning where he gently wakes us up by cuddling up on my chest and purring when my alarm goes off. And never before the alarm. =) So I have high hopes yours will grow out of it too!

I'll definitely try this! He grew out of attacking ankles and things pretty quick, he just seems really fond of this for some reason. Thanks for the help!

 

[danteshuman]

Is he play biting or nursing biting? I guess I mean is he kneading you while biting softly? If so h needs a binkie. A nice soft knitted scarf should do it. Just put the scarf over your shoulder and re-direct him there.

 

[OneBlackBean]

He nurses on the small blanket he favours sleeping on, and it's definitely not that, it's a little harder and more like chewing

 

[Alejandra Rico]

My nine years old cat, Raistlin, used to bite my nose a couple of times when he was feeling extremelly affectionate. He still does it from time to time.
When doing this, It would begin with a deep and strong purr session while being pet sitting on my lap. He would then look at me straight to my eyes, with his eyelids midway, with such a tender looj...and then he would bite me. I didn't enjoy it, but I saw that for him it was the ultimate sign of affection, he would only do this when he was extremelly comfortable, happy and relaxed. I said "ouch!" every time and now he tries to do it softer and less often.

 

[danteshuman]

Hmmmm my first thought is scruff your little kitten and /or move him down to the chest area. Then pet him gently and or play with him with a toy. If he is teething they make cat toys for teething kittens and or those rawhide chew sticks cut in half or thirds should do the trick. (Your kitten will start teething at 3.5-4 months to 6-7 months.) If your kitten just wants to play you can start training them with a no or a hiss. Kittens and puppies also seem to go through a mouthy stage where they try everything with their mouth. So now is the time to start teaching them that biting hurts.

 

[Draco]

Sounds like love bites to me. Sometimes cats would gently bite people as a way to say "love you". they normally don't mean harm by this, but they also don't realize they can hurt doing this.

I'd offer something else for him to bite or gently pull him away.

 

[Burlews]

It really sounds like cuddling/suckling/comforting behavior.. He thinks you're his momma, which really is best reward in life, or gentle love bites or teething.. (They're usually little bit harder and quick, it sounds like your little man is taking his time getting ready for his bedtime ) Here is a site I found that may help you.. Cat toys he can "cuddle" with like he would his momma (and that's not your face), his own cat space (where he can run, hide, etc alone.. And helpful if radio/tv on low for "white noise" to distract/comfort.. Also using aromatherapy with natural oils that can be plugged in to outlet or battery-operated, and natural alternatives for cats as treats or mixed with food to help any 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 him 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.. It really sounds like he loves you and is comforting himself teething on your nose or chin like youre his momma, which is so sweet, but probably not acceptable as he gets older, and if others visiting, they may wonder why kitten appears to be suckling your face and if he got attached to another person and started comforting himself on their face.. Maybe gradually introducing tiny blanket or larger stuffed toy and "weaning" him off your face will be all you need and you both can sleep as usual.. Best of luck Teach Your Kitten How to Play Nice : The Humane Society of the United States=