---
description: >-
  We need to ensure that all our cats and kittens are social and not being
  aggressive or trained to play with your hands.
---

# Behaviour - Play

## Goldens Rules

> NEVER play with your hand - do NOT present your hands as toys.
>
> NEVER yell at the cat or kitten if they bite, walk away.
>
> ALWAYS have a wand toy ready, so you can redirect them to the toy.
>
>

## Lone Kittens Behaviour

If you have a lone kitten and it is starting to bite, they may be overstimulated by the play and respond by biting. The solution would be to actually stop play, put them in a quiet place, and let them calm down.

If they are under-stimulated and don't have enough play, they may have a lot of pent-up energy. Kittens play a lot together and they play constantly. Try playing with them even more at structured times.

Part of the socialisation that happens between kittens and between mother cat to kittens is learning what is too much and inappropriate. If a kitten is too rough, other kittens will not respond well to that and will stop playing. So, having another kitten can help teach manners. Or, when they bite you should be dramatic about it in your response to the bite and stop play as well. Do not shout at the kitten

Redirecting is a good thing to do. DO NOT allow your hands to be toys no matter how incredibly tempting it is!

