I haven't had much time to play with my kitten

Question

and he keeps on clawing me more often

now i can barely pet him!

it used to be that he would always let me pet him

is this just because of the lack of play?

Answer 1

Be sure not to try to use your hand as a toy such as getting him to chase your fingers. Try to make time every day to play with him, brush him, pet him. When you feed him pet him while he's eating or brush him. Talk to him a lot!

When he scratches you, DO NOT yell or chastise him. Yelling only makes them more fearful of you and thus more likely to scratch.

When he plays nice and you can pet him, reward him with treats or tickles on his chin.

Just be patient. Kittens, just like human babies, need a lot of attention to grow up strong and healthy. If you ignore him and just throw food on the floor, he will grow up distrustful of you and not want to play or interact with you.

So make time for your kitten since you were the one to bring him into the house in the first place.  

Answer 2

I say yes.  He is becoming less tame and not so used to human interaction.  Try playing with him more and loving him as much as possible.  If you start giving him more attention he will probably not get any worse and may even be loving again.

good luck

Answer 3

Don't use your hand as a toy, or you'll regret it.  Get something he can safely chew on, like a cat toy, or a small stick.  Use that to play with him instead.  He's just clawing you for fun.  If he doesn't ever have the opportunity to do it, then yeah, he needs to get it out of his system.  Try to take at least 10-15 minutes each day to play with him, or until he feels like stopping.

Answer 4

You are so right on, your intuitive knowledge about your kitten. He has energy to burn! And he loves you. Kittens need at least 2, ideally 4, 10-minute play sessions a day. He's a bit of a rough and tumble boy, and gets your fingers because they are attached to the target. You're right, he chases your fingers when doing homework because the pencil is a toy (my adult cats still do that). When a toy is near your leg, cats like to approach from "hiding," and will wrap their arms around your leg as it swats for the "prey" (toy), so no harm intended. Just keep the toy a bit further away.

Yes! Talk talk talk. It's a little baby, and your friend. Nuzzle its fur (well, let it calm down a bit more). Cats love to hear their names (my cats even know one another's names), so yes, talk to it the same way you would a little child, or best friend, or whomever it is you personally like to talk to.

Again, you figured out a toy, attaching his mouse to a rope. We solved a similar problem with a now favorite wand that has a long felt kite-like tail attached (about 3 feet long). Although, their favorite way to play is to follow the end of the stick dragged on the floor. (Gracie even brought in branches from our apricot tree this summer, and it became a favorite throw toy.) Make the play time for both of you. I still do it with my cats, they love it before bed (I'm tired). No matter what, I figure I owe them another 10 minutes, and it's up to me to schedule my day and energy to fit it in. It just means too much.

I think you're sweet for being aware of your kitten's needs and asking for help about how to get things on the right track. It sounds like a combination of lack of interaction, as well as being on his own that is making him a bit wild. You're mama cat now.

People misunderstand cats. They are so much more devoted to people than dogs, give so much more, but it requires an equal commitment from the pet owner. Enjoy your experimentation for what will heal his heart, re-bond you two. Your effort now will be so worth the friendship long-term.

Answer 5

Yes, cats can become feral with lack of human interaction. Try to play with him as much as possible, he may never recover though.

Answer 6

i think may be because of lack of play or you are ignoring him...try to play with him as much as you could per day..or you can try play with him before you get to sleep.sleep,eat or bath with him may keep you close to him

Answer 7

Be careful to use a toy when you play with the kitten.  Never just use your hands.  

Is he clawing you intentionally or accidentally while playing?

(answered at same time as Queen, who did so more thoroughly)