Kitten behavior issues

Question
Hi Tabbi,
I just recently got a kitten that my boyfriend gave to me as an early valentines day present. As excited as I am to have Swiffer in my life after the longest time of wanting a kitten, there's only a couple of problems I'm having. I realize she's teething and that she's young and will playfully bite, but I dont know how to train her not to bite. I've tried the spraying trick, and recently just started dumping her on the floor each time she bites and telling her yelling "Dont bite!" but so far, I dont think it's working very well. Please help, because if I cant train her asap, I'm going to have to either find her a new home or put her in an adoption center which I really don't want to do after 10 years of wanting a kitten.
Another problem I've been having with Swiffer is her scratching, I won't even think of declawing her as an option, it's too cruel, but within the past two days, my hands and my legs are completely scratched up from her.
I don't know how to train her or what to do. Mostly about the biting. It neeeeds to stop somehow. Please help me out if you can.

P.S. would you happen to know anywhere in long island, new york or anywhere I could take her to get her trained for cheap or something?

Thank You so much.

Regards,
Farwa

Answer
Farwa,

That was a nice Valentine's Day present! But he should have gotten you 2 kittens (not that getting one wasn't a wonderful thing to do). Kittens need someone to play rough with besides you. Kittens need a playmate to play rough with, to cuddle with, and to be comfort them when they are left alone. Your kitten is trying to play with you like she would another kitten. You might want to get another kitten for her about the same age and temperment (there would be about a 2 week adjustment period). 2 kittens are easier than one because they keep each other company and take the pressure off of you to keep them amused.

Getting her spayed (if she's not) will help calm her down too. Here is a link for state by state low cost spay programs: http://www.lovethatcat.com/spayneuter.html

The first rule is never to play rough with her with your hands. It will get more painful as the cat gets older and a harder habit to break. Only use your hands to pet her. The dumping will eventually work. Some cats are more stubborn than others and it takes longer. Be consistant about it too. Let her know you are serious and not playing when you do it.

Use a fishing pole type toy, a pet laser light (that shines a little 'red bug' on the floor and walls that cats love to try to catch) that you can get at PetSmart or somewhere similar, a rope to pull, or a stuffed mouse to throw for examples or interactive play.

If she scratches your legs, gently boot her away and say "NO! Don't Scratch!" in the same manner as the biting. That will also get her to associate scratching with booting and make her realize you don't like it. But everytime you scold her wait a few minutes, then love on her. But only when she is behaving again. That is so she won't be scared of you, just scared to scratch or bite. Sometimes to they do it for attention besides play. Training and unbreaking bad habits take time and patience.

It would be good to get her a kitty condo to scratch on and run up on. Put it where she can look out the window. Keep her claws trimmed too. Kittens have SHARP claws. Here is a photo link on how to do it:
http://www.cat-world.com.au/catclaws.htm

If she is teething, give her a raw beef rib bone periodically as a treat to chew on. Go to the supermarket and have the butcher cut some beef ribs in half. Though some cats don't care for meat, most cats enjoy them. It satisfies the hunting and 'fresh kill' instinct that is strong in some cats. Plus the fibers in the meat cleans their teeth.

I hope this helps and if you have further questions along the line feel free to ask any time.

Tabbi