We found a kitten about a week ago in our back yard. He was wet (it had just stormed) and starving. We brought him in the house, set up a litter box for him, and got him de-wormed.
He's very aggressive. Taking him to the vet was an adventure in and of itself. He bites and hisses and cries if you touch him or hold him. However, he has some really sweet moments. I have him in the spare bedroom currently with his litter box and food at night because I'm not confident in his ability to find the litter box at night. (Plus I have a couple of dogs.) Whenever I come in (like to let him out for the day) he's just as sweet as can be. He nuzzles me and purrs and lets me hold him. But then later, he's just really mean and aggressive. I have a couple of fish tanks that he likes to try to get on top of and when I pick him up to remove him, he sinks his teeth into my arm.
I've already done the obvious, such as not rough-housing him with my hands, he has plenty of kitty toys, and lots of love. But earlier tonight he scratched my face. I worry about my dog getting hurt by him one day and him continuing this behavior when he gets older (and can do more damage). Also, I've been trying to find a home for him, but I don't want potential pet parents to be turned off of him because of his rambunctious behavior.
I know that for the most part he's just being a kitten and it could be that he's never been exposed to humans, (maybe he was born outside.) but I don't know how to discourage his negative behavior without making him more aggressive. (I have a small squirt bottle that I use sometimes, but it generally doesn't do much. I swear he isn't afraid of water at all...) I feel bad for the little guy, but I don't want to be scratched and bitten the entire time he's here. What can I do to show him that humans are good and that biting and scratching is unacceptable behavior?
...he bit me when I gave him a kitty treat. :(
Any advice would be immensely appreciated.
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