Male kitten hisses at my hand when giving him treats

Question
QUESTION: Hi Jessica!!

I have a 6.5 week old male kitten.  He was taken from his mother about a week ago and he's been great!  However he's started to develop some odd behavior, he hisses and growls at my hand if i give him parts of a treat that he's dropped while eating it.  It's very similar behavior to a dog when they are protective over food.  Why is he doing this and how do I get him to stop?  Also, he seems to cry very loudly when he is alone.  Do you think these behaviors will stop once he's neutered?

Thanks for your help!!

ANSWER: Hi Danielle.  You've got it exactly right - it's food aggression.  This is right about the age where some kittens will start getting competitive over food and toys, and he feels as if you're moving in on his treats.  Now is when kittens practice all sorts of survival skills, and one of them is how to defend the food they've "caught".  They'll sharpen the skills they learn they need, and the skills they don't need get lax.  If he's in a situation where there's no food competition (threat of starvation), and I sense there isn't, he should outgrow this behavior quickly.  Until then, it's probably best to just avoid any misunderstandings and stay away from his treats while he eats them.  I'd say most food aggression cases I've seen have passed their worst points by 12 weeks of age.  If the behavior continues, you might want to consult a vet.  If he's feeling desperately hungry all the time, it could indicate he's got intestinal parasites that are robbing him of the nutrients in his food.

As for the crying when he's alone, I think he's lonely!  He's just a teeny tiny baby right now and would naturally still be with his mama and siblings.  You've taken the place of his kitty family and he takes comfort with you, but a little one just isn't ready to be all by himself at this age.  It would be fantastic if there's any possibility of bringing him home a buddy.  Cats who live with other cats are healthier in many ways.  Physically - they are obese less often because of increased exercise, leading to less heart disease, respiratory problems and arthritis.  Emotionally - they suffer less anxiety than cats who live alone.  Mentally - one study showed their brains weighed 30% more than cats who lived by themselves because cats who live with other cats stimulate one another to think and problem solve on a daily basis.  Behaviorally - cats living with other cats are less likely to be brought to vets or shelters for destructive behavior due to boredom.

He's still too little for either of these behaviors to have been brought on by hormones, so I don't think a neuter will make a difference.  But I do think that time will make a difference.  He's still at a very needy age and will grow more independent over the next couple of months.  In some instances, giving in to the constant crying of a cat can encourage the behavior, but in this case, the baby is too young for that to apply just yet.  Ignoring his cries for attention at this age is only going to cause insecurity and anxiety, so I would coddle him for a few weeks unless you can get him a kitty friend to take some of the pressure off!


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Jessica,

He has gotten better about growling at my hand when giving him treats, but I'm at my breaking point over his crying and now he's started biting on my hands and feet no matter what!  I don't know how to discipline him to stop biting so much.  He has all his teeth already so I'm not sure he's teething, but his little nippers are starting to HURT!  I'm working on getting him a friend, but in the mean time, there has to be something I can do about his crying.  I can't coddle him all day and any time he's left alone for 5 minutes or more he gets very loud and it's starting to stress me and my boyfriend out... we can't get to sleep!!  PLEASE HELP!

Answer
Hello again!  Biting is the most common problem seen in kittens who are separated from their litters before the age of 12 weeks.  Around 6 weeks, wrestling with their litter mates really intensifies, and they start to learn how biting feels.  As time goes on, they start to learn that when they bite too hard, their litter mates don't want to play with them anymore.  Kittens want to play, and by 12 weeks, they have learned not to do it so much!  You have replaced his litter mates, but that lesson can be difficult for a human to teach a kitten.  I think if you do find a kitty friend for him it will help, but in the meantime, anytime he bites, immediately put him on a time out.  Lock him in the bathroom for 15 minutes.  He will cry the whole time and probably paw at the door, but you have to ignore him.  And I know the idea of putting a kitten on a time out sounds ridiculous, but I started using them when a behaviorist recommended them for a biting Siamese over 10 years ago.  As long as I've been consistent, they have improved every case.

I think the crying may be a little more difficult to overcome right now.  My best recommendation is that when you need not to hear him to put him in a room as far away from you as possible with some toys, a litter box and food and water, and hope he gets tired of hearing himself and decides to do something else.  I've seen people recommend using ear plugs to get some rest in all seriousness.  You can try using an essence that might help calm him, like the one here: http://www.spiritessence.com/?action=product&act=view&id=67    There's also a product called Feliway, which I use in my home, to reduce anxiety.  I use the plug-in diffuser in each room.  This might help if the problem is being caused by separation anxiety.  You can learn more at www.feliway.com and purchase it at pet stores, on the internet and at some vet offices.  Hope you get some rest soon!