Is kittens biting a form of affection

[gordie1]

Hi there I have a 12 week old kitten who loves to bite me and other people. I was wondering if it is a form of affection as people have told me she does not seem to be agressive or angry when she does it .

[sadielady]

Same happened with one of mine, I was told it was because he was teething with second teeth. Also told to tap his nose (gently) and say no whenever he did it so it didnt become a habit.

[ummmm]

It's just playing.

[daffy654]

This is the same behaviour they would have with their litter mates and mum. The mother would chastise the kitten if it got out of hand so you need to do the same. A light tap on the nose won't hurt the kitten but will let it know it has overstepped the boundary of acceptable behaviour.

[wolf63]

gordie - before I was adopted by my first cat I had always had a dog. I just presumed that they were just the same in behaviour but in a smaller parcel.

I now know that they are totally different animals.

This first link is to a site that a vet referred me to http://www.fabcats.org/behaviour/index.php it is quite informative.

I am not too sure how good this second site is, but it looks as if there is quite a bit of information so it might be helpful.

http://www.peteducation.com/index.cfm?c=1

What is your little Princess/monster's name? Any pictures?

[wildwood]

It is natural behaviour for a kitten. It learns to develop jaw muscles and hunting skills. Also fighting skills to protect itself. Virtually all mammals exhibit this behaviour.

[Duncer]

They will grow out of it, just as they grow out of climbing up your leg. Mine used to fly up my jeans and jumper/shirt/top to sit on my shoulder.

[ladybirder]

I don't see any need to hit it. It will grow out of it as it gets older.

[boxtops]

Don't smack it, it's only being a kitten - my No 1 Son used to chew my thumb when he was tiny, he still does it now sometimes. She'll grow out of it. It's playfighting.

The one thing kittens do like is if you nudge the top of their little heads with your chin - it feels to them like their mother is grooming them - try it and see!

[Duncer]

Can't imagine why anyone would hit a kitten?

[rowanwitch]

Its the leaping up and biting the OH dangly bits that is worth watching

[whiskeryron]

rowanwitch, does the cat do it as well ?

[rowanwitch]

*Chortlesplutters*.... I don't have to leap up REdman is not exactly tall

[LochNessMonster]

A bit of parcel tape will fix it ?







Joking Folks !

[bushbaby_de]

gordie, i'm so glad you've asked this question because my 4 month old kitty is doing the same thing! She seems to do it to OH more than me though. And she likes licking bald heads and short hair!