How do I handle this kitten?

Question

Okay this kitten only attacks my 3 year old, I mean really attacks her, she'll just be sitting there by herself and this kitten will come up and bear hug and attack her using her teeth and claws. He occasionally attacks me, but my little one is the main target. He actually jumped on her face 2 times but luckily I was right there and got him off before he could do damage.

I never ever, ever leave the kitten and my daughter alone.

We tell her NO! in a very firm, loud voice but that doesn't stop him. If I don't have water near me I have to scruff her just to get him off of her, which just makes him more aggresive.

What do I do? My daughter wants to keep him, but I think I want him out?

This is a very aggressive male kitten (still a baby, but a very very, dangerous baby) When we first got him he was sweet and so little he was (4 weeks) and now he is 8 weeks and he is a monster!

Answer 1

Well, don't get rid of him. Chances are he'll be killed. Try to make it work first, and because you asked this I'm assuming you do want to fix things.

First get the cat a cardboard box and put a hole big enough for him to get into about two inches up, then put a crumbled ball of paper in it. This is always a cat paradise and will help with his energy and with it his violence.

Seeing as he is still young you can take him to a professional animal behaviorist. They're usually very nice and not too costly and will help you teach your cat what "No" means.

Answer 2

have your youngster give the kitten treats..have her feed the kitten wet food...something the cat will take as a reward...kill the cat with kindness..but make sure your daughter does it so the cat knows who's got control of the food. that may help.

Answer 3

Part of the problem is you got him when he was 4 weeks old which is far too young to have a kitten taken away from his littermates and mother.  4 to 6 weeks is a very formative time for them and they learn from play, about biting etc.  It is  not uncommon for them to display that type of play, essentially the don't know how to play. I foster for a rescue and very rarely do I suggest this, but this behavior will not change with out intervention and having a young one the risk is high.

Consider contacting a rescue to take him, they will put him in with kittens his own age and possibly he can do some learning.  (I have one right now that came from the same situation )

Good Luck to you.

For those of you who think this behavior will change, the chances are slim, this is what happens when kittens are taken too early. Not all kittens but a lot of them.

Answer 4

Don't pick a kitten or a cat up by the scruff of its neck;  only mother cats can do this safely, and only with their kittens.

Answer 5

Continue to displince him with water. Another thing to dispcline him would be to isolate him either in a cage or kennel each time he tries to attack or hurts your daugter. If you don't kennel or anything isolate him in a room in your home.  Also try teaching him to play with toys.

Answer 6

i never like to tell someone to get rid of their animals( i am a cat lover) but, if it is attacking your baby, well, that's a different story.

she could have a health issue, or she could just be a mean kitten and may grow out of it.

i'd take her to the vet and have here checked out.

Answer 7

Kittens look cute but they are very aggressive, they are playing, but this playing is how they learn to hunt and pounce and all the things cats do to their prey.  Right now your daughter is his prey.  Kittens tend to wrestle around with their litter mates - since he does not have another cat around your daughter is small and looks like a playmate.  If you do not have the time or patience to wait out your kittens growth spurt you should give him to someone who can.  This behavior can last until they are around 8 months old.