what is acceptable kitten behaviour?

[SillyTilly]

Obviously I want my kittens to grow up happy, healthy and well socialised, but I'm not sure what acceptable behaviour is.

Bright-water has taken to catching one of my fingers or hand then chewing it. At the moment it is very cute but I can imagine it won't be when he's a big boy!

Do I need to teach him not to do this, or is it normal kitten behaviour that he'll grow out of?

Thanks

Olivia

[dinahsmum]

What's this? CatPages silent for over 12 hours? Must be a first! :)
Anyway, I'll dive in here.

I would gently discourage this behaviour. As you have already discovered those little teeth hurt - the claws are potentially worse! It's fine when you are expecting it and happy to join the game but kitty won't know that
a) you're not playing you're desparately scrabbling on the floor for something potentially dangerous to the kits that has fallen
b) that you are carrying a hot/heavy object which could fall and hurt either or both of you if puss leaps up unexpectedly and catches your hand.

I use hands for cuddling and petting. Toys are either small discrete things which I am not connected to, or are string or stick based, so my hands are far away.

JMO. Good luck

[Hreow]

Don't expect them to grow out of anything. Anything that you wouldn't want them to do as grown cats it's better to gently discourage now. And everything DM said so much better than I could. :-)

[SillyTilly]

Thanks guys - I was beginning to think I'd said something terribly wrong! :/

It's getting used to the behaviours of different species of animal really. With the rats all babies will test your flesh very gently with their teeth, it's all about learning what is and isn't edible, so perfectly natural and OK and they normally grow out of it when they find you don't taste nice!

I'll make sure I let Bright-water know (gently) that playing with hands isn't allowed - and I'll stop encouraging it (it really is sweet to watch!!!).

Cheers

Olivia

[Mags]

Missed this thread yesterday!:roll::D

I totally agree with everything DM has said............I wish I had known that when Cassie was a kitten!!:D