kittens & hand biting

[candes]

Being lifted by the scruff of the neck in punishment will just promote the opposite affect. It will make kitty more aggressive. And tend not to like you. Do it and risk losing a loving friend.

Raised many cats throughout my life, and none of them would bite or scratch. Cats pick up emotions and voice tones much easier than you imagine. So I still say, and stand by this. Stop them vocally, and with the calm and quiet tone of a loving and caring parent. Walk away if need be.

I got my first gentile love bite on Teddys first morning. That time was free since I understood that he had change to deal with. And wanted to be gentile on his feelings. The second, was only a moment later, and was a little bit harder. I said "oh oh".... in a very calm but surprised and disappointed tone. And immediately he knew that he did wrong. He stopped, stood up, faced me, and meowed "I love you". (Have it on video if you want to see it.) Anyways, he was a fast learner. What a loverboy!

Here is what I would do to help things along. They may still be stressed from their new environment. And may be showing it via hyper activity. Or it could be that their new atmosphere is too stimulating. And you have 2 playful kittens which doesn't help. Remove a lot of stimulation. Bunch of toys? Just give them 1 or 2 each. Cut down on human/cat play with toys a lot! No catnip toys for kittens. Give them extra quiet time in a secluded room. Separate them if they still rough house during quiet time. When they are around the family, keep the atmosphere extra calm and quiet. This should make a difference. But this is only temporary. Gently wean them from my plan. This is just to help transition them a little smoother. It will also help you learn how much stimulation is too much for them. They are babies you know. ;)

[Neural]

Well, the biting seems to be subsiding, but I'll tell Cindel about the scruff thing, though I have to laugh because when I pick up Penny, which I do in a gentle manner, she keeps purring. It's like she enjoys it.
James is far better behaved, but I think Penny is getting the message.
I agree on the toys thing, and will see about enforcing that. I think it's possible that they are over-toyed right now.
Catnip is something we have, but have read that it shouldn't be given to kittens, especially since it apparently doesn't affect them.
I know they are babies. I'm just overprotective, over-worried. I want so much to get them into good habits, and prevent some of the things i"ve seen in the past with cats that my parents and friends have owned.

They sure are getting big though! 3 months and 2 weeks and already they are surprisingly large for their age. We may yet get our dream of having *really* big cats.

[mcguy]

Being lifted by the scruff of the neck in punishment will just promote the opposite affect. It will make kitty more aggressive. And tend not to like you. Do it and risk losing a loving friend.

What you say is not really accurate. Here is an article I found quickly with more explanation:
Scruffing your cat or dog - the scruff of the neck in cats and dogs - Article on Pets.ca

In fact, vet techs are often taught to pill cats and dogs by holding them gently by the scruff of the neck. They don't lift the animal off the ground, just pull a bit. Makes the animals relax and open their mouths a bit and pills can be easily popped right in. I have watched this being done to many animals and it does not scare them or make them aggressive. In fact, it is much easier on the animals than struggling with them.

Raised many cats throughout my life, and none of them would bite or scratch. Cats pick up emotions and voice tones much easier than you imagine

You are claiming that none of your kittens have ever bitten you?? I find this very, very hard to believe (unless you never really played with your young animals). Not only is this counter to my experience with every single kitten or puppy that I have ever had, but biting is an instinctual way that they play with each other, so of course they are going to play with us like that until they learn not to. It doesn't hurt them because they have fur, but we don't so it does hurt us and they have to learn that. Also kittens and puppies go through periods when they are teething and they chew on almost everything. The notion that these people's kittens are biting them only because they aren't talking to them properly or some such thing is frankly rubbish in my opinion. Young kittens and puppies engage in play with their teeth, and they will do it with each other and with us until we train them not to.