Can a kitten be 'born' with an aggressive nature?

[NikkiA]

When you said he bit you, did he bring blood, with intent, or was he just playing... I know Elsa likes to bite my toes and ankles all the time, but it is all in play and never brings blood... Those little suckers are sharp however.

He was actually drawing blood. It wasn't play, it was fear. He nibbles during play, but doesn't bite down, he mouths the way some dogs will.

As to what I was doing, I was making eye contact, picking him up, and trying to hold him. I would also follow him around with a toy, and try to get him to play while staring at him. Essentially, I was doing all the wrong things and intimidating him.

Once I stopped trying to force him to interact with me (and learned more about cats) the problems worked themselves out.

Does he like to be picked up? Nope. Does he bite when I pick him up now? Nope. I also don't pick him up for the heck of it, I only pick him up with a purpose (ie remove him from the banister with the 20 foot drop).

 

[Charley]

Jengo is a biter - he gets petting and play aggression. It's better now because I've learned when to back off and when to give him a toy he can wrestle. He loves to wrestle. Another reason why socializing him with another cat is good, they can play "rougher" than I can.

I think some cats are "born that way." My friend has a feral cat, he can live with her, he only loves her. He is very, very aggressive but does well with another cat. I'm afraid of him if I cross his path, he bites, hisses and scratches if he can. I never trust him when I'm cat sitting for her and always have one eye on him. BUT he does good with HER and the other girl. It took a ton of work and signs that say do not pet the cat and it works.

 

[John Campbell]

Jengo is a biter - he gets petting and play aggression. It's better now because I've learned when to back off and when to give him a toy he can wrestle. He loves to wrestle. Another reason why socializing him with another cat is good, they can play "rougher" than I can.

I think some cats are "born that way." My friend has a feral cat, he can live with her, he only loves her. He is very, very aggressive but does well with another cat. I'm afraid of him if I cross his path, he bites, hisses and scratches if he can. I never trust him when I'm cat sitting for her and always have one eye on him. BUT he does good with HER and the other girl. It took a ton of work and signs that say do not pet the cat and it works.

Elsa likes to play bite. She never uses her claws and she once in a blue moon I will get an accidental scratch... She does not realize how sharp those teeth are and never apply's any real pressure, but rather I get scratched more from her teeth than her claws. When walking up or down stairs in particular, I wear bedroom shoes, because that is her favorite place to attack.

I am assuming when you say he is a bitter that it is not play biting, but actually trying to bring blood so to speak. Could it be that he does not mean to be that harsh and just not aware of what he is doing, or is he doing this on purpose.

 

[Brigitte Cowell]

Absolutely, Charley, some cats do need to play hard and hence do need a companion kitty up to their "speed"! Otherwise they are going to try to wrestle with the human, and that often does not work out so well :-(

I think that cats are individuals just like humans, some are a bit rougher and some shyer... but the way we raise our kittens and how we work with their issues plays a significant role. I had a recent litter where when one of the four kittens opened her eyes she was afraid of the humans. The other three were delighted to meet us, but she was not. She would avoid our hands, crawl away from us and hide at our voices...and for some they may have accepted that this was a less social cat and let her be. Instead we just worked MORE with her. We messed with her (gently), we held her more, we played with her more. Even so, at 8 weeks of age she shredded the hands of a visitor that picked her us (a cat judge who didn't take me seriously when I said she was freaky). But by 12 weeks, she went to her first cat show and was passed around and at 16 weeks was shown in a ring for the first time and has been a perfect little princess. That's my Lila, who last show was Best Kitten in show...what I am proudest of is how far she came from a baby kitten. She has more confidence and poise and she seems to now crave and enjoy human attention. People meet her and exclaim over how great her personality is. I always knew how important the time a breeder spends with their kittens was...this last litter just proved just how critical it can be with some.

 

[Patti]

Charley, I also have a couple of cats who seem to be biters. My take on it is that they become over-stimulated, and like you I have learned when to back off and assume a calm and soothing persona which seems to calm them right down. These cats love to wrestle and play, unfortunately they would prefer to play with humans rather than other cats, so I am always careful in my interactions with them.

 

[Patti]

Brigitte, I have also had a couple of kittens like this over the years, and although I do believe that much of socialization is learned, some of it is genetic or environmental and we need to work that much harder on those kittens who for some inexplicable reason are born afraid of humans.

 

[The Kasbah]

Brigitte, I have also had a couple of kittens like this over the years, and although I do believe that much of socialization is learned, some of it is genetic or environmental and we need to work that much harder on those kittens who for some inexplicable reason are born afraid of humans.

I agree Patti, but also feel compelled to point out that while infant behavioral issues are NOT the norm in our Breed, it DOES happen occasionally...and when it does, it is often not easily correctable and may just be the nature of the animal. Because of this, I'd say it is a huge red flag when a Breeder tells a client that the kitten they intend to bring home has temperament "issues." If the Breeder is having a hard time with the baby, heaven knows the situation isn't going to improve when they are moved into unfamiliar territory (a new home) and introduced to a new set of humans that they are unfamiliar with.

While I think it is admirable that the forever home wishes to "work" with the baby until satisfactory results can be garnered, I also think is is somewhat unrealistic...and am quite surprised to see most replying to this thread taking the "we can overcome attitude" and encouraging this new owner to move forward with zeal.

 

[Patti]

I completely agree with you Cynthia, and although relatively rare (and something that can happen in any breed of cat or dog) it does happen, and I have a couple of cats here that I would never consider trying to home because of that reason, one from my own breeding.

On the other hand, some kittens are simply more sensitive and overwhelmed at the breeder's home by all the other cats, noises, smells, and interactions. I have also had a couple of cats whom I have labeled 'shy' but as soon as they have gotten to their new homes they have opened up and become perfect purring companions.

I took a wild chance with Azidi because suddenly after three years she started making overtures to me. I knew I wouldn't have the time to provide her with the love and attention she would need, and Cary was brave enough to take her on. The final outcome is yet to be seen, but I know they both want to love and be loved so we shall see...

 

[Trish Allearz]

Well... Cotton candy aka miss sass aka miss attitude pants had attitude from day one and as those following knew, I was very open about it with inquiries. She wasn't a bad seed, but she was and is a more temperamental kitten than I usually produce. I placed her with an established home of mine and she's done great.

But anyways, except for being honest as a breeder and working with said kitten, nothing else I could've done. Did her attitude preclude her from being a great pet? No. But it just takes the right home.

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[Carykd7kau]

As Patti said. Azidi was "shy". No attitude other than that caused by fear. Once we overcame that fear, she warmed up to me. Each day she is warmer. I am now working to warm her up to Kilifi. They play now under the door. Still not face to face....YET.
A lot depends on the kitty and precisely why and how they have attitude and how bad it is.
My hope is all kitties will find their loveing person.