Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

Siwsan

(27,659 posts)
Wed Aug 6, 2025, 09:17 AM Aug 6

Merlin has finally outgrown the 'gnawing' stage

I didn't dare dangle my arm over the arm o the hair. He'd come racing up, wrap himself around my arm and start gnawing with some bunny kicks included, for good measure. Walking around could trigger the same reaction with him targeting my legs. I know he was playing but it could get rather painful. He was also really in to swatting and one day, with no warning, he smacked my brother in the head and drew blood.

Now he's more in to jumping up on me when I'm sitting down, tucking his head under my chin, purring away. He has taken up Gryff's habit of running in front of me and 'fainting', stretched across which ever section of floor I'm traversing. He's much calmer when people come over to visit. The big kid cats have stopped running away from him. Even Carys tolerates him.

It's so funny he became such a handful because I try to be so gentle with kittens. None of my other kid cats were ever that enthusiastically energetic. I think that perhaps he took being called a 'little panther' as something to enhance.

He still races around the house, chasing things unseen by me. He still does the occasional 'crab walk'. He's 11 months old so I don't anticipate him getting much bigger and he couldn't possibly become even more glossy.

5 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies

Walleye

(42,121 posts)
3. My friend is having good luck with the kitten she got and called Marley. It also likes to chew on her though.
Wed Aug 6, 2025, 10:08 AM
Aug 6

I will reassure her that he will calm down as he gets a little older

Polly Hennessey

(8,057 posts)
4. Merlin is growing up and leaving his youthfulness behind.
Wed Aug 6, 2025, 10:15 AM
Aug 6

No more ‘little panther’, no more smacking, no more swatting, no more bunny kicks. I will miss his kitten antics; bet you won’t.

eppur_se_muova

(39,783 posts)
5. One of our cats is a 'fainter' too. Likes to lie in the middle of the hall, or where the stairs, hall, and 2 rooms meet.
Wed Aug 6, 2025, 10:21 AM
Aug 6

i.e. the busiest intersection in the house.

I should have named her "Athwart". (In the SF novel Mysterium, Robert Charles Wilson featured a cat named "Roadblock", so you know he knows cats IRL.)

Latest Discussions»Culture Forums»Pets»Merlin has finally outgro...