Cat Training and Behavior (Domestic and Feral)/Cat loves with claws

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Expert: Dear Tabbi - 5/27/2009


Question
I have a 9 mos old who has taken to 'loving' me by 'kneeding' me with her claws. I try making a sharp 'OW' when she does it and removing her paws or moving her but she just keeps on doing it. She also does it to my comforter (but that's not a huge deal). While she doesn't really break my skin (usually) it is rather annoying. Any suggestions other than what I've done to get her to stop?

Answer
Elizabeth,

Kneading is a sign of contentment. Their mind goes back to when they were with their mother expressing milk. I wouldn't try to get her to stop because she not being a 'bad kitty' but just doing what feelings comes natural. Here are some suggestions:

I would put a towel over your arm or where ever she kneads.
Go to the fabric store and get a piece of fleece (or something very soft) and put it near you, or on the bed and she will probably use that instead of you.

Make sure her claws are trimmed! Here is a site that shows you how with photos:
(copy and paste, or type, the whole link into the address bar)
http://www.cat-world.com.au/catclaws.htm

Tabbi  

Cat Training and Behavior (Domestic and Feral)

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Dear Tabbi

Expertise

My expertise is in helping people understand their cat (or cats) and their behavior. Questions are welcome even if you don't have a cat....just a question about them. Hopefully my experience, suggestions, and comments will be of help to you...and your cat (or cats). Looking through my past responses to questions will give you additional information and/or answers too. Domestic Cats = cats (no matter what breed) who are tame or not wild, or abandoned cats who were pets that became wild, but can be tamed again. Ferals = cats who are born with one or more parents who were wild stray cats. They usually have had no interactions with people. They have an inbred distrust of humans and are difficult to socialize. They are skittish, hide, and are afraid of people. They take a lot of time and patience to work with them. A lot of kittens from shelters had a feral parent.

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Since I was a child, over 45 years, I have been owned by a LOT of cats and kittens of almost every temperament, behavior, and personality. I have had experience with neurotic, disabled (including blind), stray, and 'problem child' cats and kittens. (A few normal cats too!) Plus all the things a lifetime of owning cats and research has taught me. I also have experience in feral cat behavior (which is different from domestic cats), and some experience with feral colonies that includes colony feeding and feral cat TNR (trap/neuter/release).

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