TankSparkle t1_iz5sitc wrote on December 6, 2022 at 6:13 PM

my cat did something different too: grab hold of my hand with his front paws, sink his teeth into my hand and rake my arm with his hind claws

Gruaiggorm t1_iz5urrv wrote on December 6, 2022 at 6:27 PM

You can train kittens to be gentle by using a high pitched sound when they hurt you. It gives them a little surprise to temporarily stop. It's how playmates learn to not hurt each other and it can really help spare your hands when playing.

dammitall0 t1_iz6yfml wrote on December 6, 2022 at 10:45 PM

This, you can teach them to be gentle. Cats don't realize we have thin human skin, cat skin is tough! After awhile I could gently tap my cat's paws if she was getting too much with the claws, usually while kneading, and she'd lighten up or wait to let me put something thicker between her claws and my skin. She was a smart kitty and I miss her.