A cute little kitten at your house will steal the attention of all. It is just hard to resist yourself without being cuddling. However, an adorable kitten is not harmless all the time. He may scratch and bite you if you want a hug from him. Most of the kitten owners face a real problem regarding this issue. The problem gets more severe if this happens frequently. In this article, you will undergo some core points on the causes, phases, and solutions of kitten biting.
Causes of kitten biting and scratching
If you ever notice abnormal biting and scratching of your kitten, there may be some particular reasons. If this chewing and biting habit becomes uncontrollable, it is better to know the cause and take action. He can even bite or scratch his skin or other objects.
Pain
If your kitten licks and bites a specific part of his body, perhaps it is creating uneasiness and pain.
Dry skin
Dry weather and improper nutrition can result in rough and flaky skin. Therefore, your kitten scratches and bites to get relieved.
Parasites
Parasites like fleas, mites, ticks can be the cause behind excessive biting, licking and scratching behavior.
Allergies
Like humans, kittens are allergic to some foods and some natural allergens. They might have skin irritation due to allergies. It can result in him biting and scratching various parts of his body.
Mental issues
Various types of compulsive disorders can change your cat’s behavior. Nervousness, anxiety, and inactivity can develop disorders in their actions.
Dental problems
Cats with painful mouth and dental issues can lead to their violence. Around 70% of cats are affected by periodontal disease within 3 years old.
OCD – Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) symptoms include kitten biting. It is often bound to happen in Oriental-heritage cats like Siamese, Oriental Shorthair, and Balinese. Self-mutilation, Feline hyperesthesia, excessive chewing and biting inedible objects are also some issues that may bother a cat with OCD problem.
Phases of kitten teeth development
If you have a one or two-week-old kitten, there is enough time to think about its biting problem. Nevertheless, for a kitten of 6 weeks old and above, the growth of teeth is quick enough to observe. Here is a chart for you, which will help you to understand the teeth growth stages and the biting phase of the kitten.
Age | Phases of teeth development |
0-2 weeks | No teeth |
2-4 weeks | Growth of first teeth |
5-8 weeks | 26 baby teeth growth completes |
11 weeks | Falling out of baby teeth |
3-4 months | Incisors, Canines, Premolars, and Molars (adult teeth) continue to grow respectively |
6 months | It is the time to check for teeth correction with the help of a Veterinarian |
6-7 months | 30 adult teeth growth completes |
How to stop kitten biting
You do not have to worry much about this fact. There are several ways, which will tell you about how to stop a kitten from biting.
Increase dietarian fibers
To reduce the biting and chewing habit of your kitten, make sure to include enough fiber nutrients in his food. Lettuce, fresh green beans can be of help. Moreover, chewy but healthy food options can reduce this biting tendency.
Try some stress-relieving methods
Go on a walk with your kitten; give him sufficient attractive toys. On top of that, do not keep him hungry for a long time. Try some outdoor activities to reduce his monotony. I will suggest HomePet Feline Anxiety Relief, which can be used in most of the cases of cat anxiety. However, take Veterinarian advice before trying it. Moreover, if any irritation or side effects are noticed, stop using it and consult a veterinarian immediately.
React instantly
Whenever you experience kitten biting, react immediately and keep a distance from him. Try not to be overly irritated since it will scare him. If that happens to be the playtime, stop playing. Distract them by yelling when they start biting. Teach your kitten the fact that biting at the time of cuddling, is the end of fun.
Wrap the wires
If your kitten has an attraction in wire biting, you need to stop him. Wrap the open electrical wires. Otherwise, coat them with paint mixed with bitter chemical material.
Prevent the claws from getting bigger
Besides taking all the precautions, you must trim the claws of your kitten. It will prevent unwanted scratching.
Be aware of 9-Week-Old kitten biting
It is a teething phase of your kitten when it bites more than other times. In other words, it is the learning stage for your kitten that over biting is not good. Make command with a mild whistle. It works like magic because mamma cat mostly trains them by hissing.
Look into the cause of biting
Further, search for the exact reason for biting. They can be frightened by an individual or maybe a dog. Involve your family with the care of your kitten. That will lessen your workload.
Conclusion
Kittens are smart and quick learners. Kitten biting to a certain level is sometimes considered as fun. You need to keep track of when it crosses the limit. Many medical problems can arise due to excess licking, biting and chewing. It will be best if you start training them at a young age. The surroundings and learning process mostly control their behavior.