In most cases, cat moms are correcting their kittens rather than punishing them. A correction happens at the exact moment and is a direct response or reaction to the unwanted behavior.
The first method mother cats often use is walking away when their kitten is playing too rough or if it’s acting too demanding. This is a clear signal that their behavior is not desirable.
Mother cats might also correct their kitten with a hiss, meow, or a growl. These are all distance-increasing behaviors that kittens will instinctually understand aren’t good.
One of the most important things kittens learn is how much is too much when it comes to biting and playing.When a kitten bites their littermate too hard, it will let out a loud cry and often try to run away effectively ending playtime.