Kitten Problems

[Mrs K 2004]

Help! My cat is driving me crazy!!

She has been VERY good up until now, about not scratching the furniture, not playign on our bookshelf etc! But within the last few weeks she's gotten horrible! Today she knocked off ALL the pictures on the top shelf of our book case, and she scratched the couch like crazy!

Anyone have any tips for "discipline" for a cat? Something effective, but not harsh!

Thank you so much (In Advance!)

 

[lucypevensie]

Sometimes we forget how much energy little kittens can have when they are awake. It's good to spend lots of time with them when they are awake during the day, playing with them with little cat toys or whatever. They do need their play time, and when no one is there to play with they'll find something to get into. Of course it's not always possible to be there each and every time, so you might have to consider closing some doors sometimes.

If you need to correct an out-of-control cat I think using a squirt bottle with water is fine, though some people consider that unkind.

But other than that, lots of kittens grow out of this wild behavior as they grow older and even more so after they have their special surgery.

 

[KristiXP]

I agree with Lucy. Definatly get a water bottle and squirt her with water every time. This way she will learn not to do it if she dosn't want to get wet. It's not mean to do it at all, it teaches them.

 

[katylees]

hiya, i have 2 kittens, 13 weeks old. they have started to run riot lately, upon top of the fridge, shelves, work surfaces etc just get them down and entertain them sum other way, we have a cover on our furnuiture continually at the moment cus of the claws, it does help. hmmm yer wen they r asleep make the ost of it! lol and wen they r awake play with them etc and wear them out! hehe
luv katy

 

[IvoryRain]

How old is she? If she is a bit older it may be time to have her spayed. If lonliness is a problem, you may want to consider getting her a playmate.

 

[happy-cat]

oh my, this sounds familiar! when Jack and Val were little they broke everything possible to break in my house. I figure they are cats and their natural instincts are to jump, run and play. Of course the squirt bottle works wonders for things they are not supposed to get into. Harley is a year and a half old now...he's never been much of a terror, but he ALWAYS nocks over flower vases and eats my flowers. So my solution is not to buy flowers. play with your kitten as much as you can, that should help with the energy level....she will grow out of it.

Hugs,
Naomi

 

[FaithinJesus]

hmmmmmmmm.....well sometimes cats can feel left out. If there is something/someone new in your life, then they might feel left out. As for the diciplin part, when she does soemthing bad maybe put her in a room for a few minutes after saying" bad cat" or somthin like that. Well I hope that that works

 

[HeatherJay]

Good luck with the squirt bottle...just so you know, some cats LIKE the squirt bottle Most cats HATE the smell of citrus. There's a citrus spray that you can buy to spray down the sofas and chairs and things you want them to stay away from. My cats are quite obstinant. They just stare at me when I tell them no. I found certain sounds that scare them...they HATE my daughter's hula hoop so I shake that at them. We got our male cat declawed and neutered a month or so ago. That's calmed him down ALOT.


Love, Heather

 

[Mrs K 2004]

we actually tried getting her another kitten because I'd heard that sometimes that will cause problems; but she and the new cat HATED each other (the new one spent her ENTIRE time at my house wrapped around a water pipe in the bathroom !)

Although she is getting better with the water bottle trick!! (No more knocking the Christmas Tree over at least!)