- Joined
- Oct 29, 2017
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Recently got a new kitten as a gift from a rescue center. He is a neutered domestic shorthair and two months old. He was found as a stray.
I loved that my new kitten was very affectionate and sweet. He would jump into my lap and insist on being petted for a long time. He would groom me and often show his belly, or curl up into a little ball in my lap and happily purr with slow blinks. He also followed me everywhere. It was very obvious to me, a new pet owner, that the kitten adored me.
I have never raised an animal, and this is my very first kitten. I admit I’m feeling overwhelmed when it comes to cat discipline. I recently tried teaching him to stay off the dining table, because last time he hopped up there and began eating food off our plates. I first sprayed it with a water bottle (nondiscretely, so it saw me), and when that didn’t work, I tried using a “scary, angry” voice to say no and motioned to the floor, and he not only got the message, he has not jumped onto the table since. Instead, he quietly sits in a chair as we eat like the first time, and he now does this every time we eat; I didn’t expect him to always do that, just wanted him to stay off the tabletop while we eat so he doesn’t disturb guests or eat food that are not good for him.
To be honest. I think i only ended up increasing his fear and aggression, because now he avoids me. He won’t show his belly towards me, and every time I pet him he attacks my fingers.
He will most of the time stop what he is doing when I use my “angry, stern” voice, but I feel like it’s increasing his distrust of me.
Will I ever regain my kittens trust back again? Is it unrealistic to have a well behaved yet loving kitten at this point? I miss him when he was cuddly and sweet.
I loved that my new kitten was very affectionate and sweet. He would jump into my lap and insist on being petted for a long time. He would groom me and often show his belly, or curl up into a little ball in my lap and happily purr with slow blinks. He also followed me everywhere. It was very obvious to me, a new pet owner, that the kitten adored me.
I have never raised an animal, and this is my very first kitten. I admit I’m feeling overwhelmed when it comes to cat discipline. I recently tried teaching him to stay off the dining table, because last time he hopped up there and began eating food off our plates. I first sprayed it with a water bottle (nondiscretely, so it saw me), and when that didn’t work, I tried using a “scary, angry” voice to say no and motioned to the floor, and he not only got the message, he has not jumped onto the table since. Instead, he quietly sits in a chair as we eat like the first time, and he now does this every time we eat; I didn’t expect him to always do that, just wanted him to stay off the tabletop while we eat so he doesn’t disturb guests or eat food that are not good for him.
To be honest. I think i only ended up increasing his fear and aggression, because now he avoids me. He won’t show his belly towards me, and every time I pet him he attacks my fingers.
He will most of the time stop what he is doing when I use my “angry, stern” voice, but I feel like it’s increasing his distrust of me.
Will I ever regain my kittens trust back again? Is it unrealistic to have a well behaved yet loving kitten at this point? I miss him when he was cuddly and sweet.