Kitten likes to bite

Question
How can I train my 7 weeks old kitten not to bite?

Answer
Sylvie,

The kitten may be biting because he is teething. Give him a toy or a thick plastic straw to chew on (exchange it if there are signs of it being damaged).

If the kitten was weaned too early it doesn't get a chance to learn about acceptable (and non-acceptable ) behaviors from it's mom and littermates. A mother cat will correct a kitten if it uses sharp claws or bites too hard. When kittens play together, they learn that biting or clawing a sibling results in being grabbed and bitten in return. A kitten that didn't get that learning opportunity doesn't know how to act or react properly and what is acceptable behavior.

The first rule is NEVER to play rough with the kitten with your hands. It will get more painful as the kitten gets older and a harder habit to break. Only use your hands to pet. Use toys to play, like pulling a string, a pet laser light for him to chase, throw toy stuffed mice, a hand under a blanket, use dangly fishing pole type toys for him to bat, etc.

Blow in his face and say "No Biting! when the kittens tries to bite you. If he learns early that toys and straws are OK to bite, but humans aren't, then you won't have biting problems later on.  

The kitten is probably missing his littermates to play with and is playing with you like he would another kitten. A 2nd kitten is preferable to a single kitten. That way they can roughhouse and play kitty games with each other and not with you. A kitten needs a friends for companionship, to learn with, to cuddle with, and to comfort him when he is alone. 2 kittens keep each other amused and take some of the need off of you to keep him amused, and to keep him from being bored and lonely.

Tabbi