Your daughter´s kitten used to be very loving and playful, but is now scratching and biting your daughter on the arms and hands. Is it time to get rid of this vicious pet? Not necessarily.

The kitten thinks your daughter´s hand is another kitten to play with. If you´ve ever watched kittens, or puppies for that matter, play together, they get rather rough with each other. They will grab onto each other and bite until one of them squeals and runs away or bites back even harder. They learn how to understand the limits of pain when they are bitten and clawed back.

Kittens like to grab onto the other, or your hand and arm, with their front feet, bite and push off with back feet -- ouch! For us, roughing up the kitten upside down with our hand is a favorite way to play. However, this usually results in more aggressive play from the kitten and soon we find ourselves being stalked by a crab walking puffed up kitty!

It is best not to use your hand to play with the kitten, but to use some toy like a feather or ribbon on a stick or other teasing toys. There is also a toy that looks like a long fingered glove with little dangling toys attached to each finger tip which you can put on your hand and play, and save your skin. It is made of heavy material.

Cats who have learned to attack your hand when you wiggle your fingers will continue to think this is great fun. They will often grab you and start biting your hand when you are trying to stroke them in your lap. Also wiggling toes will look very tempting from under the bed, when you are least expecting an attack.

A gentle reprimand to a kitten out of control can be done by picking it up by the scruff, like how its mother would, and uttering a firm "no". Older kittens understand a mild finger thump on the nose with a "no". After the reprimand, ignore the kitten until it calms down. Then go play with your kitten with a toy, not your hand – and no finger wiggles – you are asking for it!

Of course, you can get another kitten of the same size for your present kitten. Then watch them roll around and bite each other! Good luck!

Sharon E. Anderson, DVM

Sharon E. Anderson, DVM, answers medically-related questions, but will not attempt to diagnose or recommend specific treatments. Her advice is not meant to replace professional care. If your pet is ill, contact your veterinarian immediately.