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Dealing with aggressive play in Maine Coon kittens
Some of the behaviors that may endear you to kitens can also be maddening. Oh it's just delightful when they race up the cat tree, but may be not so nice when it's the drapery. Pouncing on a catnip mouse is good, pouncing on your head at 3 AM is not. Sinking teeth and claw into your ankle as you pass a doorway along the hall isn't so charming either.
These are all normal play behaviors that are seen between kittens in a litter. All of the pouncing, stalking, chasing, and boxing is done to one another, and continues to a degreee until the kittens are old enough to disperse and live on their own. Normally the kittens keep each other in line and they learn just how rough to play. Play behaviors are an important part of learning to hunt and survive.
You may acquire kittens at the height of this play behavior. Unless you acquire more than one at a time, all this energy has to be diverted somewhere -- it's the older cat, the dog, and usually the people who become the focus. Toys, paper bags, and other inanimate objects are fun, but your kitten wants to play with something that plays back and that's fine until things get out of hand or someone gets wounded.
Some types of remote punishment include a squirt from a squirt bottle, a puff from a can or compressed air, or a loud rattle of a soda can with a few coins.
Posted by coonkitty123 on Tuesday, April 08, 2008
Urine Spraying
Urine spraying is a completely normal behavior. It happens to be unacceptable to humans and is therefore considered to be a "problem." In reality, more likely it is the cat that has the problem. In my experience, urine spraying in Maine Coon and other cats occurs most often when the cat is experiencing the stress of too many cats inthe household, seeing other cats outside the windows or doors, and confinement to the indoors. Although less likely that with inappropriate elimination, urinary tract disorders can sometimes lead to spraying.
Both male and female Maine Coons spray urine in order to mark their territory. Urine spraying must be distinguished from inappropriate urination, because the plan for erasing these two behaviors is different. When your Maine coon sprays urine, he or she does not squat low as when urinating but rather stands normally on all four legs or slightly on tiptoe in the rear with the tail erect. The tail quivers as the urine is rleased. Urine is usually sprayed on upright objects.
Unneutered male and female Maine Coons are most often the problem sprayers. Spraying can become a learned behavior too, so early neutering, before the behavior even starts, is advised. This may mean reducing the number of cats in the household or blocking windows or doors so that indoor cats can't see the outdoor ones. In some instances, the strictly indoor cat must be allowed access to the outdoors by some means. Urine spraying has also been treated successfully with medication.
Posted by jasmine_bloom on Tuesday, April 08, 2008
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