My kitten's arching her back and attacking us. Play or aggression?

Léna033
Léna033 Icon representing the flag French
Report

Hi everyone,

I’m looking for some advice. Although I’ve always had lots of pets in my life, including three cats who have sadly passed away, I’ve recently adopted a new kitten.

This little one wasn't even eight weeks old when I took her in; she was only six weeks. Her previous owner didn't want her anymore and was going to abandon her, so my partner and I took her in. Everything was going well for the first fortnight. We saw the vet who told me the little sweetheart has a bit of cat flu. We’re managing it and have started steam treatments twice a day. We give her a little treat afterwards to reward her for being good so she doesn’t feel traumatised or think she’s being punished.

For a few days now, in the evening while we’re watching TV around 10pm, she’s been arching her back, pouncing on us, and doing that little 'crab walk'... It’s happening more and more often, even during the day. I don’t get it. Of course, we’ve never hit her! We play with her, we've bought her plenty of toys, and we don't force her to have strokes or cuddles...

I don't understand this behaviour. Is it just play? Is she being mean? Is it because she was weaned too early, or is she bored? Could it be down to the steam sessions she doesn't like?

We’re due to adopt a second kitten at the end of the month (who’ll be ten weeks old). Do you think this will help her socialise, calm her down, and help her focus her energy, or will she just attack them too?

Thanks for reading, if you have any advice...!

Translated from French
icon info

The forum content is sometimes translated from another language, and posts may concern countries with different animal laws. Do your research before making any decisions.

Since the forum is translated by AI, the translations may contain errors.

Write your message and upload a photo if you want to! Please remain courteous in your exchanges.

Your post will be visible to all members of the international Wamiz forum.

13 answers
Sort by:
    • ?
    Anonymous user Icon representing the flag French
    Report
    OK, but you should have started a new thread as it's possible not many people will read it since the original one already has replies...
    Translated from French
    Cattyforever
    Cattyforever Icon representing the flag French
    Report

    !!!!!Amazing Deal – come and grab it!!!!!!

    40% off for 24 hours + free delivery on this brilliant Laser Robot Toy for cats

    don't miss out, here is the link: https://bit.ly/379Icuz

    [youtube=https://youtu.be/TB5_LY81lqc]

    Translated from French
    Cattyforever
    Cattyforever Icon representing the flag French
    Report

    !!!!!Amazing Deal – come and grab it!!!!!!

    40% off for 24 hours + free delivery on this brilliant Laser Robot Toy for cats

    don't miss out, here is the link: https://bit.ly/379Icuz

    [youtube=https://youtu.be/TB5_LY81lqc]

    Translated from French
    ?
    Anonymous user Icon representing the flag French
    Report
    Is this your first kitten?? The "crab" walk is just what a playful but slightly shy kitten does – it’s like "I’m coming closer but I’m backing away, ready to leg it, but I’m coming back." Usually, if you play with him, he’ll get up on his hind legs, and they’re so clumsy at that age that they often end up falling over backwards. Then he’ll tear off with these funny little hops and his ears pinned back...
    Translated from French
    ?
    Anonymous user Icon representing the flag French
    Report
    Is this your first kitten?? The "crab walk" is just what a playful but slightly shy kitten does – it’s a bit like "I’m coming closer but I'm backing off, ready to bolt, but I'll be back..." Usually, if you play with them, they'll stand up on their hind legs, and they’re so clumsy at that age that they often just fall over backwards. Then they’ll tear off with these funny little hops and their ears pinned back...
    Translated from French
    Léna033
    Léna033 Icon representing the flag French
    Report
    Yeah, following your message, I spent ages playing with her this afternoon without using my hands. It ended with her having a long snooze on 'mummy’s' tummy haha, and not a single 'attack' to report! (Pure bliss.) I’ll definitely try to assert our authority as you suggested. (I’d never hit an animal, never! :) Thanks again.
    Translated from French
    ?
    Anonymous user Icon representing the flag French
    Report
    You need to be firm with her, otherwise she won’t understand if the rules change from one day to the next. For now, stop using your hands to play; offer her a toy instead—even an old rag or a soft toy—something she can easily grab instead of your fingers. As for the biting, you can start by giving a firm 'NO' and a little tap with your finger, or try clapping your hands as @BlueCat suggests; that’s a bit more of a gradual approach. On the other hand, if she’s persistent and keeps coming back for more, a quick, sharp tap with your finger (don’t be a brute, obviously!) between her ears will help her get the message in the end. Rest assured, we’ve all made mistakes!
    Translated from French
    Léna033
    Léna033 Icon representing the flag French
    Report

    Hi Blue cat,

    I’m really relieved by both your messages as they echo each other! I’m so happy to read your comments; I was terrified that this little sweetheart would end up hating me because of the inhalations, or for some other reason, even though everything was going so well! I hadn’t considered the fact that she’s probably feeling better and that it might be showing in her behaviour in this way.

    Regarding the scratching and biting, we did indeed make the mistake of playing with our hands. It’ll probably be harder for her to understand "NO" now that we’ve been letting her get away with it... Should we go about it gradually? Or be firm?

    Thanks to both of you for your replies!

    Translated from French
    Blue_Cat
    Blue_cat Icon representing the flag French
    Report

    Hi there,

    I agree with Ulalie. What your kitten is doing is typical of the "daily zoomies" seen in any healthy cat. It’s very likely she’s doing it now specifically because her treatment is kicking in and she’s starting to feel better. The "crab walk" position, as well as being hilarious to watch, clearly means: I WANT TO PLAY!

    However, you will need to teach her bite and scratch inhibition, which is something a mother cat would normally teach her kittens. Say a firm "NO!" and clap your hands as soon as she bites, then stop playing immediately—even if it means walking away from her entirely. This method works really well; kittens love interacting with their humans and she’ll soon realise that biting means "game over"...

    Translated from French
    ?
    Anonymous user Icon representing the flag French
    Report
    That’s brilliant then, everything’s all set with an "attentive mum". Mind you, brace yourself for things to get a bit lively at your place, but playing kittens are happy kittens. I used to love it when mine did the "crab walk" when they were little, they’re so funny. Don’t hesitate to come back to the forum if you have any questions once the second little rascal arrives.
    Translated from French

  • 10 comments out of 13

    See more
    • Do you have a question? An experience to share? Create a post on our forum!
    These topics could be of interest to you!
    Find out more