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Proper Play with Kittens
Kittens are energetic in their play and their play can sometimes progress to lack of control or exhaustion. This can result in mistakes in both the objects and the intensity of their play behaviors. For this reason it is important that they learn from a young age how to properly play with humans.
Boxing, mounting, rearing and pouncing
By eight weeks of age kittens begin to pay more attention to people and to apply the same behaviors used to communicate with other animals to communicate with humans. When kittens are small and do not weigh much, these wrestling and boxing behaviors tend to be harmless. However, as the animal grows, these behaviors can result in the injury of a child or even an adult. Kittens should not be allowed to play in an overly aggressive manner with people.
Tackling, pawing, and mounting by young animals should:
(1) always be able to be interrupted by the owner by saying "no" or by withdrawing attention
(2) always be able to be refocused to a toy
(3) always be responsive to gentle correction by the owner if play is too rough.
Appropriate correction includes stopping, saying "no," startling the animal if needed and asking the kitten to exhibit a more appropriate behavior. This may involve sitting and waiting for a toy or distracting the pounce to a toy such as a feather on a string.
People should not correct animals physically. This only teaches them that rough play stimulates a rough, physical response. They will often become stimulated to respond to the body part that is moving and go after it. If the cat is out of control and the owner becomes frustrated, using a crate or another secure form of confinement in "time out" is best.
Mouthing and biting
No pet should be encouraged to mouth. Kittens do this naturally because they use their mouths much as humans use hands. It is a simple matter to abort this behavior when it first starts but it can be very difficult when it has been ongoing.
The first step to discouraging mouthing behavior when it occurs is to say "no" and freeze. Quickly pulling a hand away encourages the pet to pursue "the game." Say "no," stop and gently remove the body part while holding the animal's body. Immediately offer the kitten something appropriate to chew on and reward the pet when it does so. This should be repeated as often as necessary.
If the kitten does not respond to this, the owner should "yelp" as though injured when the kitten mouths and then get up and walk away and ignore the pet for several minutes. Only when the kitten has settled down should play begin again. If the kitten is so out of control that neither of the above work, then taking a "time out" in a crate or other secure area is warranted or the play session must end altogether.
Clawing and scratching
Kittens are not able to reliably retract their claws before 4 weeks of age but can learn to do so after that time. If they are allowed to swat at people with their claws, they will continue this behavior as adults. This is not only unpleasant but can result in cat scratch disease, which is a bacterial infection that can develop in humans. Kittens should never be encouraged to swat at or stalk human body parts. Toys or strings with objects such as a feather on the end should be used to encourage proper play.
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