Dori has discovered she has claws

squirtle

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Iused to brag on her all the time because no matter how rough we played, she never ever put her claws out. She bats at me but keeps the claws in. Well in the past few days I have noticed she has started sticking the claws out. I was suprised when I got some nice little scratches up and down my arm. (I usually get scratched by her teeth, she loves to bite me). She is so proud of her new found claws that this morning she came in and swatted my forehead with them. Is there a away that I can discourage this behavior? I don't have any idea how to since I have always allowed her to get away with playing rough in the past, but since she didn't stick the claws out, it didn't hurt. How can I teach her that sticking out the claws isn't very nice?
 

momofmany

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When mine do it, I will hold their paw and hold the claws in the retract position. You should also stop whatever you are doing that triggered the clawing, particularly if they are having fun with it. Don't encourage any behavior that triggers the claw response. No exceptions or they will be confused by your response to it.

Mine eventually get it, and mostly do it as younger kittens. The only issue I have once they are full adult is over-zealous kneeding (with claws), but that is another problem entirely!
 
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squirtle

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So you don't think it's too late if I quit allowing her to play rough now, even though she has been allowed to for 1 and 1/2 year now? I know I should have quit allowing her to get away with so much ages ago..... She really does get rough with me. I am all marked up from the biting, I tried to stop it with some of the suggestions on the ending cat aggression post, but guess I gave up. I just don't think I can handle the claws and biting. Ouch!
 
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