after watching a National Geo program on cats i noticed that mom cats play with the kittens but get snippy when they get out of control.

My cat was very young when he was taken away frm the litter and didn't learn the 'social etiquette' that came from mom.
Mom cats DO bite and swat the little ones to make sure they learn manners. My cat Edward (eddie when he behaves) had that habit and when he would bite i'd pinch him (VERY GENTLY) to get his attention and tell him NO in a loud voice.

I once had a dog who would bite and he learned that the harder he bit the pinches would be more regular.

Animals are very smart and they will associate the action with the reaction.......

I do not advocate animal abuse or any mistreatment of cats/dogs...pinching sounds cruel and a form of mistreatment but
i have noticed that animal moms sometimes use TEETH and CLAWS to get their point across.......PLEASE DO NOT PINCH THE ANIMALS HARD!


i now can play with the cat and suffer very little in the way of scratches and bites.......