#i've tried gentler ways that didn't involve any punishment to no avail

[hussyknee]

Just used the squirt bottle on my kittens for the first time to stop them trying to steal the pastry I was eating. It's just a gentle spray bottle, but Moo had a whole sneezing fit and scrubbed vigorously at his scrunched up little face, Méka leaped off the bed like she'd been electrocuted, and Mau rocketed all the way across the room into the balcony and over it onto the roof with his fur standing on end like I'd sprayed him with battery acid. It's all just shock, bewilderment and betrayal in Chez Terror Trio rn. Lmao.

I feel bad, but also enjoying the novel sensation of eating a snack without the nuisances trying to steal it out of my hand.