My 7 week old kitten has found her claws and boy does it hurt!

Apart from wearing gloves 24/7 what else do you suggest? I really don't want to punish her or hurt her, so if anyone has any positive suggestions I'd be grateful. At the moment I say "no" quite firmly and if she's on my lap I'll put her on the floor - but I read somewhere that kittens don't understand that actions have consequences.

She very cute, cuddly and affectionate but she doesn't realise that her claws hurt

This is why it's important kittens stay with mum and their siblings longer than 6 weeks. The kittens play fight each other and take out their energy fight one another instead of you. They also learn how far to go as it when they've been to rough etc. I clip all of my cats claws quite often and thus they are not sharp. Aside from a scratch poll and clipping I wouldn't know. If she hurts you just put her on the floor and stop the game.

I agree that a kitten the same as a puppy learns all the fight and socialising skills in the weeks after 6 weeks old with their litter mates and so should not leave the litter too young. If I was going to have a kitten that young I would have more than one.

Deffo try a scratch post and make sure you use toys to play with her and not your hands otherwise you become a target! Good Luck with your kitty! x

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Like suggested above, dont use your hands to play with your kitty!

Cats are very bright, and if you keep up what your doing, saying no to her and putting her down when she does it, it will work.

Dont spray her with water, thats what some people say. that will make her scared of you. and dont tap her, cat DO NOT understand that.

just hang in there my friend, she will get the message if you keep doing what your doing.

xxxx

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yes that is what i would also suggest. 2 kittys are better than 1 at such a young age. xxxx

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When she scratches you put her down on the floor.

We had one who was the same, she'd be playing nicely and then all of a sudden would want to scratch your hands to bits, it hurts like hell as her claws are so sharp. Mind you she's a bit older than 7 weeks.

I kept putting her down when she did that and she's beginning to learn.

The main thing is to stay patient and not get angry, she's only trying to play as she would with her siblings and her mother.

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Our darling Foxy is now at Rainbow Bridge. R.I.P. little one, you'll always be loved.

Clipping of her claws would definitely help here, plus try not to get her too excited when playing & if she does try to scratch your hand, maybe try replacing it with a toy for her to take it out on rather than your hand. Hope this helps

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They do grow out of it...... Eventually.

I got this when Dexter was about 5 months old. We still playfight, but he's learned to keep his claws in now.... Thank god!

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"Always turn and look when your cat gazes behind you with that intent look in her eyes. Some day there might actually be something there." - T.S. Eliot

ouch!!!

that looks sore!

As I have mentioned in previous posts (maybe I should put it in my signature)... when I collected the cat I was assured she was fine to leave the litter and had been wormed, de flead and vet checked as well as fully weaned and litter trained. I also assumed she was 7/8 weeks however when I checked the birth date when I got her home, I realised she was 6. However, my vet has checked her and expressed no concern that she had left the litter and that she was fit and healthy.