Hi! I am a new mother to a 12-week-old kitten Sphynx. After a few weeks of having him at home, I'm noticing a definite uptick in biting. Usually, it's not bad, but there are moments when it can become quite painful. I purchased a few chewing toys and treats for him to gnaw on instead, but I'm concerned that what I once thought was just kitten behavior will eventually become a behavioral issue. Can any of you share any tips on how to stop this from becoming a larger issue?
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At this stage teething is very normal and you still have a ways to go. Best advice @jasonsmom is never play with your hands…always have a toy in hand for them to associate with.
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@jasonsmom , welcome to the lair family .. love to see a pic of your baby... with my Toby I redirected him with an "ah " and to a kicker toy with praise and a "Toby have love" he outgrew it. we are here for you.. hugs n head smooches
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Welcome to sphynxlair. When my boys were kittens they did bite too. I always yelled out loud (even if it hardly did hurt) and I redirected them by taking a toy. After the teething it became less and now they never bite anymore
Demom
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I agree with the not playing with hands. I was wary when we brought our now 7 months old home at 12 weeks. We have never had such a small kitten. I believe in laying the rules out from the start. No biting means no biting. I will give a stern and loud "Ahhh".
My kids will of cos play with her till she's crazy and they get a few light bites from her. But she would never dare bite me if she knows its my hand. I believe because I'm firm in not allowing bites since we brought her home and i nag my kids on it. If she starts getting crazy from playing I will stop and just let her be till she calms before acknowledging her again.
I always tell my kids she doesn't bite me as she knows I'm "Mummy". She does bully my kids though. So I think she treats them as her playmates like she does with my other sphynx. She will try to bite their butts or legs to get them off a seat and she would sit there.
Since he is already biting you can try playing with him while holding on to a soft toy. So if he does bite, it will be the toy he bites. Then you let go and just sit there watching him hug and bite the toy. I think he will soon realise once he bites its no play.
But again I have 2 older cats she can play and fight with to release the kitten energy. So you need to have something for the kitten to play and bite.
Mine loves the spring toys and will demand that we play fetch with her many times a day when her 2 other siblings are ignoring her.
My kids will of cos play with her till she's crazy and they get a few light bites from her. But she would never dare bite me if she knows its my hand. I believe because I'm firm in not allowing bites since we brought her home and i nag my kids on it. If she starts getting crazy from playing I will stop and just let her be till she calms before acknowledging her again.
I always tell my kids she doesn't bite me as she knows I'm "Mummy". She does bully my kids though. So I think she treats them as her playmates like she does with my other sphynx. She will try to bite their butts or legs to get them off a seat and she would sit there.
Since he is already biting you can try playing with him while holding on to a soft toy. So if he does bite, it will be the toy he bites. Then you let go and just sit there watching him hug and bite the toy. I think he will soon realise once he bites its no play.
But again I have 2 older cats she can play and fight with to release the kitten energy. So you need to have something for the kitten to play and bite.
Mine loves the spring toys and will demand that we play fetch with her many times a day when her 2 other siblings are ignoring her.