Please help (emergency)

[KidMan]

I have a 2 months old cat and it is starting to show it's disadvantages and my mother is warning me that she might let it away because:
1-it always attacks us without any reasons and the strange thing is that it turns it 2 ears to the sides b4 attacking us (always happens).I need to let it stop that and i tried hitting it lightly on it's teeth when it does that but it never learns.
BTW isn't there any way to give a cat a bath (i know they are affraid of water)PLEASE HELP.I need lots of answers.

[Garfield]

Hi Kidman,

Hitting the teeth might need to take a bit more time. It is constant training that will do the trick.

Is anything in the house that is irritating your cat terribly? It is very uncommon for cats to attack so frequently. They are gentle pets.

Cats will ususally pull their ears back before attacking, it is also a signs of warning.

Since your cat is only 2 months old, did you provide enough toys for it? A scratch pole? Some chewy food to keep it busy? Some balls to entertain itself?

Is the kitten ill? Kittens/cats are more agitative when they are not feeling good.

Bathing... since the kitten is a little agressive, i would not advise you to bath it. Just in case, it gets nasty when it touches water.
Probably just dry-clean it. Or if it is really dirty, bring it to a groomer for help.

------------------
http://carsue.homestead.com/files/garfield2.gif

Many thanks to Nightmare (http://petshub.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ubbmisc.cgi?action=getbio&UserName=Nightmare) for seeking permission from garfield.com to use this picture.

[Robbie]

Hi

I don't know why such a young cat should have developed such a temper that it attacks you. I think that unless it has a mental/aggression problem or is ill then it must have a reason to attack you that you haven't realised yet. First of all could it be playing? My cat gets into a temper when she's not allowed her own way...for example I won't allow her to sit on the beds or I won't give her something specific she want to eat or milk to drink. This can put her in a bad mood until I give her or let her do what she wants (these moods sometime last for days even weeks) and in the meantime she will very intollerant to me stroking her or picking her up and sometimes she even 'smacks' me when I walk past her!!!

As for bathing your cat- forget it, cats hate water but usually keep themselves very clean.

I know it's tempting to smack a misbehaving cat, especially if it has hurt you, but it doesn't work- honestly I've tried it. Try hissing at it or saying 'NO' it a firm low voice.
Good luck

[Billie Bird]

Please, don't hit your kitten it's only a baby. Keep a spray bottle of water handy and when he goes to attack give him a shot of water, that should help http://petshub.com/ubb/wink.gif

[Ant]

Dear Kidman,
It is not advisable to hit the kitten to stop any bad behaviour. If you use a firm tone of voice this usually works, although if you have a strong-willed furbaby then this might not work. I use the "God" principle. Making sure that the cat doe not see you, spray it with a jet of water from a water pistol from a distance when it is being naughty.

Otherwise it is best to distract the kitten. I have made several kitten toys that my five babies love and one in particular is the feather tickler. It is a stick with feathers taped on the end and then love to chase it and play with it. Make sure that you have the stick long enough so that little claws don't grab you instead of the stick!

Best of luck with your baby. Remember that 2 months old is still a kitten and it needs lots of cuddles and plays. http://petshub.com/ubb/wink.gif
Ant

[cathygirl]

For an 8 week old kitten this is normal bewhavior. you have to discourage it, but hitting won't help. ignore the kitten for five minutes or so right after it attacks.