Scary moment this morning

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  • #51531
    Alaska
    Participant

    – I woke up

    – Opened our bedroom door

    – The kitten went in and back then to her room

    – Then she came back in our room and was just chilling on my side of the bed next to me (staring)

    – I had my eyes very very partially open, to just make sure that she wasn’t gonna do anything because I’m not sure I can 100% trust this girl when I’m vulnerable without any clothing to protect me in bed and on my back.

    – Out of nowhere she jumped at me, and then I told her NO and we kicked her out of the room.

    This is really worrying, I want to let her in the bedroom and so does my girlfriend but we can’t have her in during the night or morning if she is this kind of a threat to my sleep. Why would she do this to me?

    She seems to have adopted that kind of bevaviour, does she see me as prey to stalk in the morning? She must remember that I am the one giving her food, clean water and loads of cuddles every day. Could she feel left about, because we close the bedroom door over night?

    #734511
    Chey
    Participant

    Oy I understand. My one cat used to jump on my back every time I leaned over and while that was ok if I had a sweater I quickly realized this behaviour was not good as it hurt when I had a tshirt on. Hopefully others will have more suggestions.

    Chey

    #734512
    AZDEBRA 5/27 & crew
    Participant

    You have to remember that your kitten is a baby kitten and you can’t expect human behaviour patterns like thinking that she should remember who feeds her. She could tell that you were awake even if you think she couldn’t and she prob wanted to play. Don’t believe that she was intentionally trying to hurt you.

    I couldn’t put any of this information in better words, so here is some really good tips….

    http://www.petplace.com/cats/play-aggression-in-cats/page1.aspx

    Kittens are adorable, but when they are around four months of age, a dark side usually emerges – a side that involves seemingly diabolical aggression. Confused owners are often left wondering why their cute little ball of fluff has suddenly turned into a feline Jekyll-and-Hyde character.

    In an instant, a kitten may turn aggressive, inflicting painful scratches and bites. Sometimes this problem becomes so acute that it causes the owners to surrender the kitten to a shelter. They regard it as schizophrenic – a hopeless cause.

    What these people do not understand is that kittens have an in-built drive to play rough. As troubling as the attacks can be, play aggression is a normal part of kittens’ development. This type of aggression can be contained or diverted and should never be the reason to give up on a kitten. In time, play aggression will diminish and will eventually disappear. It is almost gone by the time most cats are around 1 year of age but may persist a while longer in others.

    Play behavior is considered a rehearsal of adult roles and is helpful, though not absolutely necessary, for kittens’ future development. During the process of rough and tumble play, kittens exercise just about every sense (and muscle) in their bodies, helping to prepare the youngsters for the life that lies ahead. In nature, a kitten that has played rough may have a jump-start on an unrehearsed rival and will be better equipped to chase and pin down prey.

    Types of Aggressive Play

    There are at least two distinct types of aggressive play behavior by kittens, and possibly a third.

    The first type involves attack-retreat behavior. Cats do not have the same elaborate dominance-deference signals as dogs and have no need to rehearse this aspect. Instead they seem to have two primary modes, one of attack and one of retreat. It is important for them to learn how to handle themselves well in both situations, and it’s better that they learn through play, when there is little or no chance of injury, than by “on the job” training later in life when the stakes are higher. The wonderful thing about play is that it is always fun and never serious. The moment it stops being fun, it stops being play. When young kittens are together, they often signal to each other that they want to play, by prancing and cavorting with their backs and tails arched. The contest then begins in earnest. First, they spring on each other, wrestling-style, looking serious about their aggressive intent. Then, as the battle begins they may roll around in a clutch for a few seconds before breaking up, with one running off and the other in hot pursuit. If you take a mental snapshot of the moment of “the clutch,” you will see wild eyes, open-mouth threats, claws unsheathed, and back feet gouging forward in tandem. Almost silently, and unbeknownst to you, there is a whole lot of learning going on.

    The second type of play aggression involves predatory play, that is, hunting, chasing, and mock attack behavior. During this type of play, stealth, crouching, creeping and hiding behavior are practiced. Springing, pouncing and pursuit behavior follow – all in fun, of course. This type of play can lead to the type of attack-retreat behavior described above, as the defending kitten repels the attacker.

    Finally, there may be a type of chasing and pouncing behavior in juvenile males that is reminiscent of male mounting behavior. This appears to be sexual play behavior. In cats, as in many other species, aggression and sex are intimately entwined.

    How It Affects You

    Imagine you are sitting in an armchair at home, peacefully petting your kitten, when its play aggressive mode surfaces. First, a sideways glance, and then a switching tail tip, and finally the attack. The kitten latches onto your hand with its needle-sharp teeth, simultaneously stabbing at you with its hind claws. You may try to assuage this “savage” attack by further petting, but it doesn’t work. Scratched, punctured, and nursing your wounds, you swear the kitten is malicious and has it in for you. Moments later you have your young friend’s affection back as if nothing has transpired.

    Or, you might step around a corner only to have your kitten pounce at your feet or ankles where it proceeds to rain blows and bites. Your first reaction may be surprise but pretty soon this gives way to pain and resentment. .

    Luckily for us, at least we don’t seem to be the subjects of juvenile cats’ sexual rehearsals, but the attack-retreat and predatory behaviors alone are sometimes more than enough.

    What to do

    Avoidance. This is a good strategy for either type of play aggression. Learn to “read” your kitten’s behavioral signs prior to an attack-retreat type of incident. Observe the kitten carefully for the flashing eyes and switching tail, especially during petting, and know that these signs signal the end of what may have been a peaceful moment. STOP petting the kitten immediately and stand up. Enough is enough. Regarding the ambush-type attacks, think ahead, wear thick socks around the house and keep your eyes peeled.

    Diversion. The very best diversion is to get another kitten for your kitten. Though you might think your problems would be doubled, in fact they will be halved, or they may disappear entirely. The two kittens will appreciate each other’s antics much more than you do. They can learn together, and have the benefit of furry coats to protect themselves from the brunt of the assaults. If getting another kitten is not something you would or could consider, then you need to provide appropriate outlets for your kitten’s need to play. Play with your kitten using mobile toys for 20 minutes each day to release pent-up energies and to allow him to exercise his chasing, catching, and “killing” drives. Engage such measures particularly if you see “that look” in his eyes – the one that tells you an attack is imminent.

    Be patient. Play aggression will eventually go away. Don’t give up on your kitten because he is doing what comes naturally.

    Conclusion

    The really good news is that play aggression is a passing phase. However, don’t let yourself become a victim. That can create dominance issues later in certain cats. Also, rough play can cause injuries to older people, whose skin is more delicate.

    You should always manage your cat properly, avoid unwanted incidents, and provide suitable outlets for its biological needs. In this way, you and your cat will be able to live together in mutual harmony without having to run the gauntlet each day.

    #734513
    ecbrown
    Participant

    This actually sounds pretty normal for a kitten who has been waiting to play with you all night. Ambush and hunting moves are the way a kitten plays. You might have a wand toy nearby to divert some of that “attack” energy in the morning.

    My Leo, age 1 1/2, is crazy in the mornings because he has missed us all night and is ready to rumble. I have to get my breakfast and coffee quick and then grab a wand toy to help him get out some energy while I eat. If I’m not fast enough he will jump up and “attack” my arm.

    #734514
    katthays
    Participant

    Sounds like excellent advise! Hope this resolves itself for the better, Alaska.

    #734515
    Alaska
    Participant

    Good information. Debra, you posted the same information in one of my other threads haha. Still appreciated though.

    I never thought about her waiting to play all night, but that sounds right. She didnt actually jump on me, but she always does this thing where she jumps to you, like inches away from you – but never trying to intentionally hurt you (I don’t think). Maybe her movement was halted by my reaction, but I’d like to give her the benefit of the doubt 😛

    Just wondering, if she does this in bed again, should I squirt her with a water gun? I don’t want her to necessarily do this or encourage her behaviour, but at the same time I can’t punish her for her instinctive actions can I? On the other hand though – this can’t happen! I’d be scared to sleep in the same room as her.

    #734516
    AZDEBRA 5/27 & crew
    Participant

    I personally don’t like squirt guns, but that is just me. I would go with the wand to play with or maybe a little toy for her to play with as a distraction. Do you feed her right before you go to bed? That might help too so she sleeps in a bit longer with a full stomach. I know mine will be up @ 0400 if they aren’t fed later at night, because of course they are starving.

    #734517
    Alaska
    Participant

    Yeah, I always feed her a full meal before bed, usually a bit more than normally so she can eat some in the mornings so she doesn’t wake us for food.

    The problem is, I’ve thought about playing with her from the bed with a wand toy handy, but then she will just realise that I’m saying play time is OK, but I don’t want play time when I’m still sleeping, so it’s not OK.. This is worrying because I have just got a new job now and I’ve worked there before in my old country so I know how important a good nights sleep is when you’re working an 8-9 hour shift.

    #734518
    ecbrown
    Participant

    Since it sounds like she sleeps outside your bedroom (we do that too) why not try not letting her in until you are ready to wake up? Then you can play with her a bit to get some energy out. You are right, you wouldn’t want to encourage playtime when you are needing to sleep. I also really don’t like squirting with water in this situation, but opinions will differ. It seems like it could “egg on” the kitten. If you do have her in the room while you are trying to sleep I would think totally ignoring her would be the way to go. (Hard to do, I know when you are worried she might “attack.”)

    It’s funny you say she will pounce right up to you. I’ve been pondering whether that is a gender difference because my female cat loves to play with her brothers. But she is happy to pounce right up to them without tackling. They, however, usually end the pounce on top of her. She doesn’t appreciate that…lol.

    #734519
    Jeankit
    Participant

    Hee hee…kitten fun!

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