For owners, cats’ scratching habits are widely known—there are often scratch marks on the body if one is careless, sometimes even bleeding, and the furniture looks like a crime scene. But what we need to know is that biting, scratching, and using hind paws to kick are not only very normal for cats, but also a very important process for learning how to be a cat. The main reason the cat species has survived for millions of years lies here. It's very common for kittens at two and a half or three weeks old to start practicing these skills.

　　For cats, all forms of play serve as a way to enhance strength and improve survival chances. All games can be categorized into two types: first, "hunting and killing" games, which prepare them to feed themselves and survive; second, "fighting and winning" games, which prepare them to protect themselves and survive. At about three weeks old, kittens from the same litter begin playing bit and scratch games with siblings or their mother (pay attention to how the mother cat uses her tail to attract the kittens). By eight to ten weeks old, all kittens should have learned how to play safely without hurting their companions. This certainly helps explain why healthy, well-mannered adult cats enjoy playing these games throughout their lives. If injuries during play are not naturally discouraged when young, the species’ way of survival will be compromised.

　　If, when these kittens grow a bit older, the guardian plays roughly with them using hands or fingers, he is teaching the cat that rough play with claws and teeth is acceptable—something the mother cat strongly avoids. Moreover, the cat will learn that using claws and teeth on human skin is acceptable. Young kittens often make this mistake but usually don’t cause much harm. However, when the cat grows up, this play—which was very fun as a kitten—can become very dangerous.

　　Few people know how to break this bad habit once cats have inadvertently developed it. Some people start hitting their cats, which only reinforces rough and cruel play. Some might even resort to declawing surgery, which harms the cat. In such cases, cats often become prone to biting people. In both scenarios, the situation gradually worsens rather than improves. Cats love their guardians and reach out to interact with them, playing in the way they learned from their guardian as kittens. As a result, both cat and guardian become sad and lonely. They miss their intimacy and the enjoyment they bring each other but don’t know how to restore this good relationship without mutual harm.

　　Of course, the simplest method is to prevent cats from developing this habit in the first place. Never use your bare hands to play with cats—whether kittens or adults. Use toys, ribbons, or balls instead of your hands. Simply put, if you don’t want cats to scratch something, don’t suggest it. From the beginning, don’t allow cats to do this.

　　Methods to improve cats biting:

　　First move: When the cat opens its mouth to bite, issue a scolding sound

　　When the cat bites, make a distinct sound for the cat to recognize, such as "That hurts," or "No," and gently push its forehead at the same time so the cat knows it’s wrong. If the cat bites the foot, although it hurts a bit, try not to shake or swing the leg, as this may mislead the cat into thinking it's playing a game.

　　Second move: Insert your finger into the throat

　　The moment the cat bites your hand, immediately insert your finger slightly into its throat, just a bit to make it uncomfortable. The cat will instantly withdraw, and after several times, it will learn that biting causes discomfort and stop biting.

　　Additionally, use your hands to pet, caress, groom, carry, and occasionally treat your cat, but never use your hands to play. For them, play means claws and teeth—hunting and killing. If they are not scratching, jumping, or biting, they are not playing but cuddling and snuggling. From the beginning, tell them hands and skin are for cuddling and snuggling; toys are for playing.