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Play biting or scratching is very common
inappropriate behavior in cats. Commonly, this is due to early weaning
or kittens having been orphaned early. Many of these have been bottle
fed and missed interaction with their mothers. Normally mother cats will
swat or bat their kittens when they play too roughly. Owners are often
rightfully afraid of injuring a kitten by physical discipline.
Much of kitten play is associated with
skills used for hunting. Mothers begin to teach predatory behavior as
early as 3 weeks of age and this behavior continues to be guided by
their family for months. Studies show that orphans or early-weaned
kittens exhibit very early predatory behavior. They play roughly because
their siblings and mothers were not there to correct them when they
inflicted pain.
Kittens are often taught by their owners
to play aggressively. To control play aggression; owners should use
three main strategies.
- Avoid circumstances that encourage
aggressive play.
- Be alert to behaviors associated with
play aggression and interrupt them.
- Give the cat or kitten a more
appropriate outlet for play and energy release.
To prevent or control inappropriate play
try the following:
Recognize the early signs of play
aggression. Often a cat that plays aggressively will hide and spring out
at their owners with teeth and claws bared before quickly fleeing. This
should be deterred at the first evidence of the exuberant behavior by a
clap or other loud noise or even a water pistol.
Combine an adverse stimulant with a
positive one. Reward your cat's appropriate behavior with gentle
stroking. Also, use praise and treats when it plays with claws retracted
and teeth unexposed.
Do not physically punish your cat. That
teaches your cat that you also play roughly and that will intensify its
behavior.
Do not play roughly with your hands. Do
not wrestle with the cat or aggravate it with your hands so that it
attacks your hands. Every time you play with your cat, use a toy so that
it doesn't consider your body an item for play. If during play the cat
misses the toy and scratches or bites you, stop playing and startle the
cat by quickly blowing in its face. The objective is to interrupt the
inappropriate behavior.
Increase the amount of exercise the cat
gets by tossing crumpled paper or foil or a cat toy for it to chase. A
string dangled from a stick and moved about will encourage chasing.
Keep your cats claws trimmed short.
If aggressive play persists, cover it
with a towel or blanket and put it in a room alone until it is calm.
If all else fails, consider getting a
second cat for a playmate. Additional playtime with another cat will
allow it to play appropriately and regularly.
Hopefully if you follow these steps you
can enjoy years of playful activity with your feline.
We would like to express our
sincere thanks to Dr. Athey for providing us with this valuable
information.
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