Is It Normal For Kittens To Bite And Scratch
The kitten is not intending to hurt anyone it is just intent on having a good time.
Is it normal for kittens to bite and scratch. Before you can understand which type your cat is exhibiting it is important to remember that biting and scratching are perfectly normal behaviors for cats. Because cats mouth and paw objects to explore their world it s natural for them to bite. Kittens love to play but when they become overexcited they often scratch and bite. When they are around 8 weeks old part of their social development is to interact with their littermates by mock fights mini grappling and other rough playing matches.
Kittens bite and scratch while playing purring and cuddling and to cats this is completely normal behavior. This is all normal behavior for a kitten. All toys should be a distance from your hands so the kitten has no opportunity to bite or scratch you even by accident. Never use your hands or feet as playthings for your kitten to bite on.
This behavior is natural to kittens and is not a sign of hostility or fear most of the time but if left unchecked it can become a serious problem. This is generally regarded as mock aggression. This is the time when each kitten learns how to use an inhibited bite so as not to. It is accepted behavior within the litter and it takes time for mom to teach them otherwise.
This is especially true when your kitten s playmate is a young child. But kitties can learn to inhibit the force of their bites and to use soft paws without claws. Kittens are naturally very playful. Biting is normal for felines while they live with and socialize with their littermates and mom.
A nip or scratch from an 8 week old kitten may seem cute but the same behavior from an adult cat can be very painful. Bite and scratch inhibition can be taught to kittens the same way you teach your puppies. It turns out that kitten biting is part of the play behavior kittens learn when they are with their littermates. It is an important part of their early development as kittens because it is their only means of defense as well as their natural way of killing prey in the wild.