We do let Tilly play rough with our arms and hands which is mainly my boyfriends fault as i think he sees her as a little boy who wants to play-fight with him all of the time but i'm guilty of it as well occassionally (when i have a thick jumper on!). She's 9 months old now and has developed a very sharp set of claws and a very strong set of teeth; my OH seems to handle this well but i always get scratched and my hands often have a few marks from my little darling (why do i ever think that my reactions are quicker than hers!?) We buy her lots of toys which she does play with and we are trying to encourage her with them more as she will sometimes jump on your hand and try to attack my hair when it's loose but we kind of accept that this is of our own doing in letting her play rough. However, she doesn't use her claws as much now, she will hold you down with a paw but not actually hurt you; her mouth is a different matter though, she has jaws like a vice!!

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.... Hello.

I think some cats are like that. Theo can be a little vicious (mainly due to an idiot sister who roughs him up so much that it starts to look like a wrestling match.) A few months back he attacked me in bed with such ferocity that the only way I could detach him from my arm was to hit him off the bedside unit. I still have scars from that one! We mentioned it to the vet and he decided that stress was causing this so he is on feliway spray and antidepressants! He has calmed down somewhat. But regular nail trims are needed to prevent the return of Freddy Kreuger. Also a spray bottle of water and a good swift smack help.

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Run free my beautiful rainbow babies. I love you.

that really made me giggle!!

I agree, maybe Feliway, and if you can, when she behaves like this, a sharp NO! and removing yourself from the room immediately so she realises that in behaving like that she loses your attention and company? I know this doesnt work for all cats but its worth a try? and when shes being gentle praise her and give her a treat so she connects gentle behaviour with reward perhaps?

Im new to cats but it works all the time with dogs, and my new cats have nipped and been told No! and left, then when I go back in the room they are hiding looking guilty and sheepish!

their previous owner just rang to see how they are settling and said they will nip gently sometimes almost as an I Love You gesture ...how about a purr instead!???