Any advice for a kitten who is teething and scratching badly?
Never had a kitten before...he is 7 weeks old!

Teething happens..one reason to feed them good quality dry kitten food..never canned!

Scratching how?
Itself: if so, give it a bath, use baby shampoo or Dawn dish soap..check for fleas..dry well!
It can be administered chemicals, but talk to your vet first so that you dont cause a toxic reaction..That is why a bath is better to start with!

The house, etc..get a scratching surface..old carpet, old pair of jeans and let kitty scratch on those.
But at 7 weeks, it is a bit too early for that kind of behavior.

Call your vet if you need more direction or help.
I have raised many kittens..and have taken several neo-natal kitten care classes. Not an expert, but just have a good deal of experience.
Good luck!:howdy:

At 8 weeks of age, or at 2 pounds body weight, he can be neutered. There are many good low-cost services in SoMd to get this done.
He will also need to start getting kitty shots.

There is a lot of very good information about kitten care on line.
I recommend Cornell Feline Health Center, Cornell University. (http://www.vet.cornell.edu/FHC/healthinfo/)

And Tufts (http://www.tufts.edu/vet/behavior/feline.shtml) has some information about scratching of things.

HSUS (http://www.humanesociety.org/animals/cats/) has tons of great info for the first time kitten owner too!

And for you entertainment: Simon's cat (http://www.simonscat.com/) will always be there for you with his "training" videos!!

Buy yourself one of these...

Amazon.com: Armarkat Cat Tree Model A6501, Beige: Pet Supplies (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003BYQ16O/ref=oh_o00_s00_i00_details)

I have this one and it was super easy to put together - took about 30-40 minutes.

Buy yourself one of these...

Amazon.com: Armarkat Cat Tree Model A6501, Beige: Pet Supplies (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003BYQ16O/ref=oh_o00_s00_i00_details)

I have this one and it was super easy to put together - took about 30-40 minutes.

OMG..That is awesome!!! I buy mine at Petco, PetSmart..Super Cool cat tower!!!

Buy yourself one of these...

Amazon.com: Armarkat Cat Tree Model A6501, Beige: Pet Supplies (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003BYQ16O/ref=oh_o00_s00_i00_details)

I have this one and it was super easy to put together - took about 30-40 minutes.

I made a scratching post. I found a termite-free piece of some type of "barkless" (and meowless) wood about 14 inches long and nailed it to a carpet covered piece of aspenite (particle board); put catnip on the carpet and kitty kat tore it up; but she still did a number on my furniture.

I made a scratching post. I found a termite-free piece of some type of "barkless" (and meowless) wood about 14 inches long and nailed it to a carpet covered piece of aspenite (particle board); put catnip on the carpet and kitty kat tore it up; but she still did a number on my furniture.

I helped my FIL make one years ago and it turned out awesome & huge. I sold it at a yard sale like a big dummy thinking I wouldn't have anymore kitties.... :dork:

my one cat had a HUGE scratching problem. stairs especially. I was against getting him declawed, even though he is an indoor cat. the vet also said that if i were to declaw him, it would've been better to do it when they took his nuts. Otherwise, at his age of 1.5 years, he may refuse to use the litter box if i were to declaw him now. Wasn't taking that chance.

I bought this masking like tape from petco (save your money, and just use masking tape, after spending $19.99 i realized thats all it was) and taped it on the stairs at each step. When i replaced the carpets they left a piece rolled up. I put that in the living room. Eventuallly he got the message and started using the piece of carpet. He wouldn't scratch on posts, nor on any scratch thing i bought. but he loves the rolled up carpet laying on the floor.

OMG..That is awesome!!! I buy mine at Petco, PetSmart..Super Cool cat tower!!!

Pepper's in Solomons has some awesome carpeted scratchers in several sizes and they are hand made in the USA!

my one cat had a HUGE scratching problem. stairs especially. I was against getting him declawed, even though he is an indoor cat. the vet also said that if i were to declaw him, it would've been better to do it when they took his nuts. Otherwise, at his age of 1.5 years, he may refuse to use the litter box if i were to declaw him now. Wasn't taking that chance.


My cat is 7 and I've had him since he was 9 months. Got him from a rescue. He was neutered but not declawed. For years I tried everything (scratching posts, tree towers, trimming nails, soft paws, loud noises, spray bottles, etc). Nothing seemed to be a cure all. I finally got him declawed earlier this year. He still "scratches" at my furniture but I know he's not doing any harm. Best decision ever. He still thinks he has claws and his litter habits didn't change.

Teething happens..one reason to feed them good quality dry kitten food..never canned!



?

Kittens actually need a good quality canned food, they need the extra calories/fat, etc. while growing. Actually, canned food really is the best option for cats/kittens of all ages unless you choose to feed a raw diet.

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:lol:

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:lol:

?

Kittens actually need a good quality canned food, they need the extra calories/fat, etc. while growing. Actually, canned food really is the best option for cats/kittens of all ages unless you choose to feed a raw diet.

Canned cat food is also a good way to get more moisture into cats that don't drink enough water.
Also a vet told me that overweight cats can lose weight by eating canned food mixed w/ a little water becuse it is more filling.

?

Kittens actually need a good quality canned food, they need the extra calories/fat, etc. while growing. Actually, canned food really is the best option for cats/kittens of all ages unless you choose to feed a raw diet.

:yeahthat:
I heard that another benefit is the additional moisture as many cats do not drink enough water to prevent UTI's and stones. :shrug:
So I give them both! :lol:

:yeahthat:
I heard that another benefit is the additional moisture as many cats do not drink enough water to prevent UTI's and stones. :shrug:
So I give them both! :lol:

I give my cats both, too.

Also, for scratching: aluminum and double sided tape! They even make special tape specifically for furniture (so it doesn't ruin the material).

?

Kittens actually need a good quality canned food, they need the extra calories/fat, etc. while growing. Actually, canned food really is the best option for cats/kittens of all ages unless you choose to feed a raw diet.

Canned cat food is also a good way to get more moisture into cats that don't drink enough water.
Also a vet told me that overweight cats can lose weight by eating canned food mixed w/ a little water becuse it is more filling.


:high5:
This is SO true. It does help with weight loss.... and it is better for them due to the moisture! It helps with keeping the kidneys .. and many other things!
:yahoo:

So I give them both! :lol:

:yay: I do too.... but my vet has told me what Catt already said in a prior post.

I have a threaded rug that my cats are always.... always... scratching on. The good thing is I don't really care. I've had the rug for 15 or more years and it still looks fairly new.

wish my cats were normal... they eat anything! cardboard box, paper, mini blinds and the cords, fake wig for halloween.

..... 9 lives ends at a FB removal! :cds:

wish my cats were normal... they eat anything! cardboard box, paper, mini blinds and the cords, fake wig for halloween.

..... 9 lives ends at a FB removal! :cds:

:lmao: When my cat is hungry he tears up paper, one little kitty-mouth sized piece at a time. He has always eaten dry food because I could never get him to eat wet. Well, he is a fatty so lately I've been trying to move his meals to be mostly wet food–he is NOT a happy camper. :lol: He's kinda gotten used to it, but when I woke up after the first night of his "diet" I woke up to this... :lmao:

:lmao: When my cat is hungry he tears up paper, one little kitty-mouth sized piece at a time. He has always eaten dry food because I could never get him to eat wet. Well, he is a fatty so lately I've been trying to move his meals to be mostly wet food–he is NOT a happy camper. :lol: He's kinda gotten used to it, but when I woke up after the first night of his "diet" I woke up to this... :lmao:

OMG... I have that same look at my place....

so i had the blinds open WAY above where the locks are... and had the cords tied higher...

came home one day to find the cords in the floor... and now I cant let the blinds down... :mad:
.... so a few months ago they did the same thing to the other blinds... :burning:
.... AND there are holes in the blinds.... :dead:

..... 9 lives ends at a FB removal! :cds:

Facebook removal? :killingme Does E share?

I know, I know foreign body

Facebook removal? :killingme Does E share?

I know, I know foreign body


:smack:

thank you all for the wonderful information you have given me!!! I have learned lots!