How do I get my cat to stop playing so rough?
I have a question about rough play. I have a 2 year old male Siberian Husky that I raised from 6 weeks and a 5 year old female Husky I adopted earlier this year. They play incredibly rough with each other, much rougher than with other dogs. The female usually puts the male in his place if he steps too far past the line of acceptable play.
Nipping and mouthing hands can also be discouraged by loosely holding your puppy’s lower jaw between your thumb and forefinger after she’s taken your hand in her mouth. Don’t hurt her by squeezing too hard, just gently hang on so that wherever her mouth goes, your hand hangs on.
In rough play, kids take turns “attacking” and being “attacked” and they’re careful not to push or hit too hard. In real fights, the kids are trying to hurt each other.
Play is, after all, mock battle, so dogs that tend to play rudely, body slamming, mouthing too hard, mounting and generally causing mayhem can provoke negative reactions in others, About Dog Play Most young dogs learn how to play from their peers or their elders, but some, due to lack of social experience or because they are simply hardwired to be rude, do not back down.
The cat discipline which works best to stop this behavior is: Don't yell out (difficult I know, but a must, as yelling is a positive reaction) Walk away from them immediately. If they follow keep walking away.
Pay attention to when and where your cat instigates rough play. The Cornell Feline Health Center recommends instigating appropriate play prior to regular attack times, using noise deterrents when roughhousing begins, and employing toys that keep your hands at a safe distance from aggressive cats.
To be sure this is not the case: If someone other than yourself is complaining about the kitten's behavior, watch to see the interaction between that. Avoid touching your kitten's face, paws, and stomach. While some kittens are comfortable with being touched on any part. Examine your kitten.
