Sure, it hurts all the same, but the cat who pounces on your feet and then careens off the wall isn't trying to hurt you — he's playing. You need to increase your play sessions with your cat with an appropriate toy, such as a cat fishing pole or toy on a string — not one of your body parts — to help your cat burn off his excess energy before you try for a quiet pet session. Let him know that attacks on you are not permitted by letting him have it with a blast from an air horn or a spray bottle. A little dab of the commercial chew-stopper Bitter Apple on your hand can help, too.