Hi guys,

We're having our kitten Flynn now for about 10 days and he is about 14 weeks old. So far it's going really well, it's nice to see how he is feeling more comfortable with each day and how he is exploring the house. He loves to play and cuddle with us and he can be a real sunshine!

However, I would like to get some advice on how and when to set up some rules. My boyfriend and I noticed that becoming more comfortable also means becoming more cheeky. Sometimes, Flynn gets into a hunting mode, where he scratches and bites a bit. Last night I was lying in bed, watching something on the iPad, when Flynn jumped on the sheets, stared at me with his hunting look and then "attacked" me (it seemed that he wanted to jump in my face). I actually got a bit mad! When he's in his hunting mode he also likes to attack feet, then he scratches and "bites" (it's not really biting of course, but it's also not nice). I have the feeling that he doesn't make a difference between his bird toy, our feet or even our heads then. I want to point out that I love playing with him and normal playing is always perfectly fine! It's only this hunting mode that he has for an hour per day that I'm not sure how to deal with.

I'm wondering if we should be clearer on the fact that hunting humans is not okay? And does a kitten have to learn that using claws while playing is not allowed or is this simply part of being a cat owner? I also don't want to be too strict because I want him to feel home and welcome :) Looking forward to your tips!

P.S.: In his defense I have to say that after he attacked my face last night, he came by later and gave me a wet kiss, with the great smell of cat food :) For the cuteness factor, here's a nice picture of Flynn:

I would cry out in pain and withdraw from them when their play aggression became too much for me. They soon learned. Now they are so careful not to hurt me. They are big cats now so they could do some real damage if they wanted to, but they seem to really love me and have become very gentle and loving. I have seen Grace stomp a lizard to death so I don't want to be on her bad side.

Well...yes. You do have to make it clear that it hurts you, and that you don't tolerate it, but it's not like the kitten is going stop doing it the next time, or the time after that...or next week... or next month! You're going to have to live with it for a few months as a best case. The best thing you can do, imo, is to play with him a lot, with toys, making sure he loves that, and then stop the game and give him a timeout when he hurts you. It's also really really important that you guys never ever send him mixed signals about play. Him hunting hands or fingers or arms or toes is never ever part of a game that you play. Toys only.

Get band-aids and your favorite healing ointment because you're going to need it lol.

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The little monsters 3

This is typical bengal kitten behavior! It's not so much rules but boundaries, however ... it is very difficult with a kitten. I've always wondered if my bengal's previous owner might have done something serious to him as Raiden does not bite or scratch us. And he doesn't like to play. The owner was a single man who finally let Raiden roam the neighborhood for six years until he gave him to me. You want your bengals to behave like bengals and every kitten owner (bengal or not) goes through this. You are prey! Cry out in pain, try to teach the word "no" and "stop" but you're going to have to give in to the hunting instincts with a lot of play time. LOTS of play time.

Also, be careful not to confuse the little guy by allowing him to play with your hands sometimes. It has to be all or nothing.

Uh yes, typical baby kitten... as above, do say "ouch" loudly, so that he understands he's hurting you, and always carry a Kickeroo / have one at hand, to deflect attention as soon as you see he's gonna go for you and give you the little hug of death. I am amazed now, one year later, at how our cats do NOT use their nails at all on us. I think kittens just cannot control them as well (we were covered in scratches for a couple of months and I had actually started being a bit scared of Echo as she would only go for my leg and "kill it" rather than my boyfriend's). Also, they seemed to always like digging under the sheets, so we would get scratches all over from that - they were banished from the room.

Flynn will soon enough learn not to hurt you, but do stock up on plasters!
Iria

Cat dancer is Raiden's favorite toy. He doesn't play with much, but he loves chasing it around. It's a very inexpensive toy -- we have two of them.

I think my arm or my partners necklace are Aiko's favourite toys :P

Beautiful pictures. Necklaces certainly do attract kitties.