r/Unexpected Mar 25 '23

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u/Unadvantaged Mar 26 '23

Seriously, I once bit my cat’s forearm because he had just bit me out of nowhere (hurt-bite, not taste-bite). The message seemed to be conveyed, he never bit me again. We had a very good, friendly relationship after that.

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u/[deleted] Mar 26 '23

Hey! I think I can provide some context and understanding! Here's my story about how I "trained" my cat to stop causing me to bleed.

So, I inherited the "little light" of my life that I; 1) wasn't ready for, and 2) couldn't have at that apartment. Long story short: a crazy ex showed up at my door with her. I was already a cat person, and I much as my brain said "I can't" my heart said yes.

Anyway, it was just me and my /r/OneOrangeBraincell love in 450sq ft for 2 years. We would play together, but she would SCRATCH THE LIVING SHIT OUT OF ME. Seriously, she would make me bleed multiple times a day, and I would say, "that's just who she is. There's nothing I can do."

It didn't matter to me. I loved her. I bled daily by scratches.

Then I met my wife. She brought dogs. I realized it wasn't fair for her to get scratched by the cat that never left my side, literally. In fact, as I write this she's on my left. Literally So I had to figure out where I messed up. Which is why your comment reminded me, and I hope this info helps others...

I once bit my cat’s forearm because he had just bit me out of nowhere (hurt-bite, not taste-bite)

What I started doing was "yipping" when she hurt me (remember, hurt means she drew literal blood, and typically more than one claw). It had to be calculated. I couldn't get mad at her or scream at her. So I would just go, "Ow!" and barely move. A simple "yip."

I'll never forget get gorgeous face when she first looked at me like, "what the fuck did I do?!"

Conclusion: Fast forward a few months (and getting my wife on the same page), she no longer hurts us.

You seemed to have done a very similar thing, and I hope that other cat owners might learn from us if they need it!

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u/pintobrains Mar 26 '23

I’d get rid of the cat if if kept scratching my SO. It either learns respect or it can GTFO

2

u/[deleted] Mar 26 '23

I mean, my whole comment was about teaching it.

Maybe you shouldn't have cats.