Kitty Nibbler

How do I get my Skout to stop nibbling my hands and fingers? Whenever I rub her she lightly nips at my hand or fingers. She's 5 months, but I want to stop it now before she starts doing it harder and gets older and it becomes a habit or she does it to other people.

I know you shouldn't reprimand cats... So what's the best way to go about it.

Hi and welcome to you and Skout!  She's a very cute little Tortie!

There are a couple of things you can do to help her learn that teeth and claws are not how to respond to humans.

First, is each time she does it, calmly put her elsewhere for a few minutes.  Eventually she should get the message that if she nibbles at you, she won't get the attention she obviously is trying to elicit.

Also, make sure you don't play games with her using your hands.  This sends a confusing message.  Use a toy instead.  Hands should only be used for loving!

I also want to mention that she may be getting over stimulated. Learning her cues, should help also.  Pay attention to those moments leading up to the nibbling; like is there a certain way you are touching her that gives that response? 

Here's a couple of articles on behavior modification which might help you:

http://www.thecatsite.com/a/playing-with-your-cat-10-things-you-need-to-know

http://www.thecatsite.com/a/the-dos-and-donts-of-cat-behavior-modification

There's two kinds of biting in this case: love bites, where they nibble on you to let you know they love you and actual bites (or inappropriate play bites), which are a bad thing. The easiest way I've found to break her of the habit, especially since she's still young, is to just give her e firm "No" and take your hand away when she does it. Since she likely enjoys having your hand there, so will stop to avoid having you move your hand away.

I get the little calm nibbles and those rarely break the skin, and I don't mind.  Just have to be very still and relaxed while he's latched on.

The other bites are when he's wound up and/or doesn't want to be held.  If he's trying to get away, LET GO or STOP.  You'll figure out pretty quick what get away is before he actually starts wriggling. 
He can be laying in the floor, toy in mouth, my hand near or on him, and all of the sudden.....he decides he wants to be somewhere else.  That instant is when you just pull back your hands and let him run.
When he's wound up like that, just don't touch him.  (he's so soft and cuddly, it's hard not to touch, but, it's best).
I handle and pet when he's calm.

By the time you try this, and everything else you've read....he will be growing out of it on his own and biting less and less.

This works for me, and mine is only 4 months old....but 8lbs is like a full grown cat.  His nibbles keep BandAid in business.

She's only 3.5 lbs and she does it to play because when I move to stop her she grabs my hand with her paw and brings my hand back to rub her. I'm pretty sure they're love bites so I'm trying to nip it in the bud lol

They don't hurt at all.