kitten biting/aggressive behavior

Question
Hi there.  I recently (2 days ago) brought home an abandoned kitten my boyfriend found wandering around.  It was dirty, hungry and thirsty and the neighbors said they had seen it wandering around for a few days, so we were positive the mother was gone.  I think it is about 6-8 weeks old and is pretty sociable.  When it is time to go to sleep, it is the sweetest kitty and loves to cuddle.  However, when it is not tired or sleeping it just wants to play.  The problems is that it always wants to be aggressive and bites hard and scratches.  I know this is how kittens act, but I am very worried about it becoming an aggressive adult.  4 years ago my mother adopted an abandonded cat that her brother had found and nursed back to health.  It was the same way as this kitty, but now that it is grown it is the meanest cat I have ever seen or come in contact with.  It bites and scratches to where it will draw blood.  It jumps on your lap, purring and rubbing against you, and after you start petting it for a few minutes it will just attack you.  So i am very worried that my new kitten will turn out like this cat.  We have had at least 4 other kittens grow into cats in my family since I was little and none of them have turned out like that.  I was wondering if you have any suggestions or if you think the kitten will stop once it matures?  Thanks so much!

-Laura

Answer
Hi Laura.  This is definitely the most common problem I run into with orphaned kitties.  Kittens who leave their mothers before 12 weeks of age often do bite and scratch, although playfully.  That's because learning what behavior is acceptable usually takes place between 8 and 12 weeks old.  It's then that their mother and litter mates teach them that biting and scratching hurt.

What you need to do to help stop the behavior is put him on a time out any time he bites or scratches.  15 minutes in a crate or the bathroom alone is fine.  This is sort of the same way his litter mates would've treated him - when he gets too rough, they stop playing.  This was the method recommended to me by a couple of animal behaviorists.  I've used it numerous times in the last 10 years, and it always improves their behavior.  I think that you will have no problem with his becoming an aggressive adult cat if you start consistently correcting the behavior now.

Also, just make sure to never use your hand as a toy, even if he's being gentle.  This will confuse him.  So use ribbons and feathers, etc., as interactive toys.