2. Introduce Food Puzzles
Again, it’s important to remember that your cat has prey instincts—and dinner doesn’t come easy in the wild. To keep your kitten engaged at mealtime, Buffington recommends introducing food puzzles to mimic foraging. Puzzles are available at pet supply stores, but there are plenty of DIY tutorials as well. For an entry-level food puzzle, simply divide your kitten’s dry food up in an ice cube tray and let her “hunt” it little by little. cheapest cat insurance
3. Conjure a Hiss
Have you told your kitten that biting hurts? A lecture won’t get you anywhere, but it may help to mimic the noises his annoyed siblings would make. “You can try to hiss and perhaps even give a short, sharp “eeek!’ cry to let him know teeth hurt,” says Amy Shojai, author and certified animal behavior consultant.
4. Praise Good Behavior
When correcting your kitten’s behavior, it’s important that he doesn’t become afraid of you. While cats are predators, they’re also prey to larger mammals—and you, human, are a larger mammal. So instead of yelling loudly and reprimanding your cat, consider rewarding him when he’s acting appropriately. “Cats learn what not to do from their environment and what to do from their owners, who can then praise them for doing the right thing,” says Buffington. Cue the treats!
5. Adopt in Pairs
Need an excuse to bring home two kittens? Good news: adopting in pairs leads to less biting and better behavior all around. After all, no matter how dedicated a trainer you may be, you’re not a native “cat” speaker. “One of the best teachers is another cat,” says Shojai. “Mom cat and siblings are quick to teach kittens that biting hurts. When a kitten has no playmate, they’re much more likely to turn your ankles and hands into attack targets.”
