When people bring a fluffy kitten home, many think of it as a tiny, gentle miracle that couldn’t possibly be aggressive. Imagine their surprise, and even disappointment, when the kitten shows its character or simply plays by putting its sharp teeth and claws to full use.
Why Is My Kitten Aggressive?
As strange as it may sound, aggressive-looking behavior is perfectly natural and normal for a kitten. Don’t forget that cats are predators, and rough play is a normal part of a kitten’s development: in the wild, a cat couldn’t survive without hunting and fighting skills. In most cases, as a kitten grows into an adult, it loses much of that overwhelming urge to scratch and bite you as hard as it can.
When choosing a kitten, keep in mind that energy levels vary a lot between breeds and individuals. Very active breeds, such as the Bengal, the Abyssinian and the Siamese, often play harder than laid-back breeds like the Persian, the Birman and the Ragdoll. Personality matters more than breed, though, so ask the breeder or shelter about each kitten’s temperament. You may also be interested in how much a kitten costs.
What Is Play Aggression in Kittens?
Kittens start playing at a very young age. They pounce on each other, wrestle, bite and scratch, and get their mother involved too. This behavior is usually considered “play aggression,” because the kitten isn’t trying to hurt anyone on purpose.
Usually, while a kitten is with its littermates and mother, it learns to control its aggression. If a kitten plays too rough, its siblings put it in its place by squealing, hissing and stopping the game, letting it know the fun has gone too far. The mother cat also warns a kitten that’s being too rough: she may growl at it or give it a swat. Kittens constantly exchange signals about what they see as play and what they see as aggression. Through these interactions, they learn how to control their bite and their claws.
When you bring a kitten home, you become its mother, sibling and friend. So remember that you, not your kitten, are responsible for most of the scratches and bites you get. Kittens taken from their litter too early (before about 8 weeks) often haven’t had the chance to learn these lessons, so they may need extra help.
Owners often can’t resist when a tiny kitten nibbles or scratches during play. Yes, it may seem cute and funny while the kitten is small, but what happens later, when it grows into an adult cat that’s used to scratching and biting without consequences?
What to Do If Your Kitten Scratches and Bites Hard During Play
If your kitten scratches and bites, that doesn’t mean you should stop playing with it. To redirect it, use toys: let it bite a soft toy, a kicker toy or a wand toy. Entice it with the toy by moving it around, shaking it and so on, so it mimics prey. Encourage your kitten to play with all kinds of toys, and aim for two or three active play sessions a day, ending each with a treat or meal (the “hunt, catch, eat” sequence helps kittens wind down).
If, despite everything, your kitten attacks you and play gets too rough, simply end the game and calmly say “no.” Your kitten may not understand the word, but it will clearly pick up on your tone. Then walk away and ignore its attempts to start playing with you again for a little while. Your kitten will understand that something isn’t right.
Key points:
- Find the right balance and don’t overdo the discipline. If you react too forcefully, your kitten may take it as a sign that you’re joining in the game.
- Give your kitten enough attention and stimulation. Very often, aggressive behavior is a sign of boredom or too little play.
- Praise your kitten when it behaves well, and calmly interrupt rough behavior every time.
- Never use physical force or punishment, including spray bottles, under any circumstances. It only makes things worse and can turn play aggression into fear.
- Avoid stress for your kitten.
- Give your kitten a good scratching post and plenty of toys.
- Be consistent. You can’t scold your kitten for rough play today and let it get away with it tomorrow. Your pet will simply stop understanding what you want, so everyone in the family needs to follow the same rules.
- Consider a second kitten. Two young cats that play together often wear each other out and learn gentle play from each other.
When Aggression Isn’t Just Play
Not all aggression is play. Hissing, flattened ears, a puffed-up tail, growling and hiding are signs of fear, not fun. A kitten that suddenly becomes aggressive, or that bites when touched in certain places, may be in pain or unwell. In these cases, start with a vet checkup to rule out medical problems.
If the problem continues despite your best efforts, talk to your vet about a referral to a qualified cat behaviorist (in the US, look for a veterinary behaviorist or a certified cat behavior consultant; in the UK, a clinical animal behaviorist). In rare cases, a vet may recommend calming products or medication as part of a behavior plan.
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