Can anyone tell me now to get a 4 month old male kitten to stop biting. He is the devil! 
So, so mean. I want to just get rid of him, but my 3 year old loves him, so I can't. What can I do? I know nothing about cats (I am a dog person). He doesn't use his claws, he just bites. Little vampire!
Please help. 
Does he bite when he's playing or does he do it when he doesn't want bothered?
We got our first cat when my oldest was about 8 months. For a couple years my son would beat up on the cat and then later the cat would beat up on him, it seemed that they had a system worked out. We decided that the cat was lonely so we got a kitten but after a couple months she turned out to be horrid and we got rid of her and he went back to being a pain. We got another cat and make a point of having at least 2 cats at all times now, they get lonely too.
It is just play. It will stop. Just like how a dog will bit when it is playing with you. Just flick it gently on the nose when it does it then put it down or leave it alone. It will eventually learn and grow out of it. If you are mean to it at this stage for biting when its playing, it will become untrusting and snappy later when it will really hurt.
If he's playing get him a few good toys to keep him occupied and if you have room think about getting him a friend.
We have a ball that runs in a circular track with a cardboard insert in the middle that my cats all love, even the adults (we have 2 adults and 1 kitten). We also have balls that have bells in the middle, they're a cage so the cat can see the ball.
At Christmas time I buy a few cheap plastic ball ornaments and put ribbon on them to keep the cats out of the other stuff.
One other note about Christmas stuff, make sure any breakable ornaments are higher up on the tree, the cats like to bat at them. You probably already do this since you have a child.
He will outgrow this stage and settle down to the 20-23 hours of sleep a day that most adult housecats feel they need.
This site is great and I'm sure will help.
http://www.thecatsite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=20837
There's also a section on kittens that you might want to check out. This is normal behavior for a kitten but you need to teach that it's not acceptable (how to do that is also covered).
Cheers, from
SwampWitch
I don't know anything about cats, but if you know how their mothers discipline them that should work. Dog moms grab their puppies by the scruff of the neck and (gently) shake them to let them know their behavior is not acceptable. We do the same thing and say "no bite" (or no whatever), then give them a chew toy so they know what they can bite. But biting while playing is normal - that's how they play with each other, so he doesn't know it's not ok for him to do it to you.
He's probably teething too, which is always fun 
-Lisa
I have two persians and one of them used to bite. There is this thing that is non toxic but taste horrible really horrible and it will make them stop real quick. I just gave him a little taste when he would bite and then he just stopped. I love my cats and wouldnt change them for the world. I also have two dogs too but they live outside.
My cat used to do this as a kitten. It hurt. He grow out of it. Hes 11 1/2 now. When I play rought with him he can still bite me pretty hard. I would not trade him for the world. I just had to learn how to play with him. He used to ATTACK my ankles, HARD!!
Silly cats
You gotta love them. 
My kitten was crazy as a baby too ... it's probably just a stage they go thru playing.
BUT, a good squirt bottle or little squirt gun filled with water is my favorite kitty training tool. They usually really hate it, but it doesn't hurt them at all. A few squirts when he gets crazy should help fairly quickly.
And make sure he has some toys to flip around with. mine liked those ones like mini stuffed animals - soft and light - there was this one particular multi-colored ball that made crinkley noises when you crunched it.
Thanks for the suggestions. The cat is really cute and he is sooo good at using the litter box. I don't want to get rid of him, so I will try some of these techniques.
I am glad you are going to try it. Cats are great companions.
Also, get some bouncy balls from the quarter machine. They are too big to swallow, but they can sink their teeth part way in to pick it up. Our cat will be a year old on Valentines day, and these and dumdum suckers are her favorite toys!
As for biting, they do grow out of it. I have gotten her to respond to me snapping my fingers, which is a lot more handy, but it takes time! A sharp "NO" helps, too. As for attacking - they never grow out of that!
my kitty outgrew the sneak attacks for the most part. now I can predict when he's going to try it! LOL It's funny. Usually if I tell him no or boot him off a chair ... and keep walking ... I know I'm going to get it!
finnox, I'm almost convinced that cats are easier to train than dogs. litter box/house breaking for sure. And somewhere in the middle of training our dog, the cat has learned "come" "outside" (cat hears: "RUN! escape!") and "sit". just from watching the dog get rewarded for doing those things!
czyadgrl you made me laugh with that one. We once had a kitten many years ago and once she got declawed and spayed she was like crazy. She would come and pounce on you and if you where new to the house and she didnt like you, you where in for it she would come up to you and try to scratch you to death "she was declawed" it was so funny she would also go around the house and paw on things as if she was stretching her claws. She would also spit and stuff at the vet she hated her I bet you cant guess why. LOL. I love dogs but I love the fact that you can bring a cat into a new home and never go through the potty training stage you just show them where it is and BAM they are potty trained.
Growing up, we had a pure black shorthair male. He was declawed in the front, but it didn't matter to him! He'd start running, use momentum to get up the trees with his back claws. Once in a while he would hide on the roof and jump down on the neighbors. God I miss that cat! He was the absolute best prankster. The Siamese kitten we have now only attacks while we are sleeping. Feet under the covers are fair game!
MEOW, MEOW. Kat lady is here!!!! 
First let me say I'm not an expert per say, but I do know my cats. If I ever sat down and had to add up all the cats I've had in my 38 years it would add up somewhere around 50 or better 
, I know, HOLY CRAP!!!!! I worked at a vet for 5 years, they just kept coming home with me
This little kitten will grow out of his demonic ways. But to elevate some of the blood shed, use a spray bottle. Please don't shake the kitty! 
Water/spray bottles deter lots of bad behavior in pets. Jumping up on the counters, attacking innocent by-standers, shredding plants, unfolding freshly fold clothes, mountain climbing the curtains, etc...
If you have any q's please feel free to PM me. K'ly
GOOD LUCK and remember, even the bad little kitties need luvn too 
If you use a spray bottle, please don't squirt his head, he can get an ear infection! Also, is he neutered? That will help his behavior, AND avoid lots of problem behaviors in the future.
Cheers, from
SwampWitch
p.s. Definitely agree, please don't shake him.
Yeah you dont want to go to jail for kitty abuse. But I never used the water bottle trick I just used this thing called yuck and it worked like no there. But I am sure that it will work since most cats hate water.
I've never tried the water thing but I did have a cat that LOVED water. If I let her in the bathroom while I was soaking in the tub she would jump in the tub with me.
p.s. Definitely agree, please don't shake him.
Ok, I didn't mean shake as in throttle, I was letting the original poster know what a momma dog does when a puppy is misbehaving. I didn't know if that translated to cats or not, just throwing it out there. Many dog people use that technique with great results. I would never shake a dog (or cat even though I don't like them) in the way you all seem to think I'm talking about. Dogs have a lot of loose skin around their necks, and for discipline their mothers grab that skin in their mouths and (as I said) gently shake them. They pick them up, let the pup dangle, and remove them from the situation. Sorry to get everyone's fur up, and now I know cat moms don't do that.
-Lisa
I've never tried the water thing but I did have a cat that LOVED water. If I let her in the bathroom while I was soaking in the tub she would jump in the tub with me. [/quote]
I too have a kitty obsessed with water. He's taken the dive in the tub 3TIMES! In previous threads I've mentioned him. He was burned very badly as a kitten and has always been a little odd, but a most wonderful loving little cat. His anme is Bernie 
K'ly
Lisa--I meant nothing negative towards you in my above comment. I apologize if it can across as so. K'ly
Not to hijack, but a question. Our Siamese and Husky are both under 2 - dog 18 mo cat 8 mo old. Dog was here first, and the cat is extremely jealous. Both are girls.
Is it safe to let them wander without supervision? The dog is just curious, cat is curious but hisses at the dog. I'm afraid the dog will go bonkers if the cat attacks, but won't attach the cat first. Both are getting very good at being good and I don't think it's fair to let one wander the house while the other is in the kennel.
Lisa--I meant nothing negative towards you in my above comment. I apologize if it can across as so. K'ly[/b]
No worries! I just didn't want everyone to think I wanted to SHAKE the cat, like shaken baby syndrome or something 
-Lisa
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