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Cat Training and Behavior (Domestic and Feral)/kitten biting my ear
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Question
Dear Tabbi,
I have a 4mo old kitten, Loki, that keeps biting my ear. I'm pretty sure it's affectionate because he only does it when he's laying on my chest or cuddling next to me. It's not very hard but it hurts! I have tried to stop him by setting him on the floor each time he does it but as soon as he comes back to lay on me it happens again. Sometimes he'll fall asleep with me and it will wake me up. I've had pretty good success training him not to play bite but how do I teach him not to bite affectionately - especially when I'm already asleep.
He's already neutered and went to the vet recently so as far as I know he's in good health.
Taylor,
That is common behavior when a kitten was weaned too early. Usually the kitten will grow out of it. The most effective way to curb the behavior is to blow hard in the kitten's face everytime he starts it. He should soon associate the blowing (which he will NOT like) to biting your ear.
A kitten needs another kitten to snuggle with, groom, play kitty games with, and be a comfort to them. If it is feasible, you may want to think about getting a kitten about the same age and temperament so your kitten can transfer his physical acts of affection to a kitten and not your ear (or other body parts, or blankets, etc).
Tabbi
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| Rating(1-10) | Knowledgeability = 10 | Clarity of Response = 10 | Politeness = 10 |
| Comment | Thanks Tabbi! I hope he does grow out of it. He actually has another kitten that's pretty close to the same age that he wrestles with and he nibbles on her ears too. The blowing in his face seems to confuse him but definitely discourages him. Thanks for the help! | ||
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Answers by Expert:
Dear Tabbi
Expertise
My expertise is in helping people understand their cat (or cats) and their behavior. Questions are welcome even if you don't have a cat....just a question about them. Hopefully my experience, suggestions, and comments will be of help to you...and your cat (or cats). Looking through my past responses to questions will give you additional information and/or answers too. Domestic Cats = cats (no matter what breed) who are tame or not wild, or abandoned cats who were pets that became wild, but can be tamed again. Ferals = cats who are born with one or more parents who were wild stray cats. They usually have had no interactions with people. They have an inbred distrust of humans and are difficult to socialize. They are skittish, hide, and are afraid of people. They take a lot of time and patience to work with them. A lot of kittens from shelters had a feral parent.
Experience
Since I was a child, over 45 years, I have been owned by a LOT of cats and kittens of almost every temperament, behavior, and personality. I have had experience with neurotic, disabled (including blind), stray, and 'problem child' cats and kittens. (A few normal cats too!) Plus all the things a lifetime of owning cats and research has taught me. I also have experience in feral cat behavior (which is different from domestic cats), and some experience with feral colonies that includes colony feeding and feral cat TNR (trap/neuter/release).
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* One of the top 50 Experts Of 2008 *
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