I'm Back :(

Awile ago I posted concerning a cat that would not let us sleep through the night, well, the problem has returned and playing with the cat does not seem to be helping.

I honestly think the issue is linked to our other cat (white cat). The black cat is insanely jealous and gets an obvious attitude whenever the white cat is in the bed. I have noticed that each and every time the black cat wakes me up by scratching on the walls the white cat is in the bed.

Some ask why we don't simply lock them out of the room. Well, if I can't sleep through him scratching on my walls, scratching on the door is certainly no improvement. Trust me, I've tried it and all it accomplishes is adding howling to the scratching.

I'm afraid that this is going to come down to declawing. I know that very word probably raises the hair on the backs of many of your necks, but you must understand that I can't tell you the last time I actually got to sleep through the night for work. Not only is my sleeping extremely unhealthy, but it makes it highly difficult to have any energy at all. Just please, try going on 3 hours of sleep every weeknight for awile and then think about crucifying me for thinking about declawing. I'm aware of the moral and emotional implications of declawing, but to be honest my health and ability to work far outweighs that.

If you can provide any other options, I'm more than willing to try them. Unfortunately, I can't think of any.

Soft paws, hanging something on the wall to deter the noise, getting a tranqulizer for the black cat to be taken at bed time, and this may sound silly to some, talk to the black kitty and tell him that although he may not approve of the white kitty sleeping on the bed, you are allowing it. You must also tell him that you still love him and the other cat is not better than him or loved more than him. Tell the white cat that s/he is just as important as the black kitty and you love them both. The black kitty is allowed in your room to sleep on the bed and s/he must not keep him away. Bring the black kitty to bed with you at night and give them both snuggles.

(I just pasted this reply in another thread):

I really recommend this product Comfort Zone With Feliway:

http://tjspetshop.com/comfort_zone_cat.htm
http://www.petguys.com/-039079027910.html

I got a Feliway Plug-In to help my timid Russian Blue kitty accept a calico we rescued 2 years ago. Feliway contains a substance that mimics the calming face rubbing pheromones of a cat. It's marketed to help stop territoriality, spraying, vertical scratching and reduced interaction.

We basically had the same problem as you are having introducing a new cat into the house. Our Russian has always either run away or hissed or batted at the "new" cat even though we introduced them over a period of about 6 months. The day after I got the plug-in, our Russian's behavior improved immensely. She still doesn't love the calico, but she doesn't run away if the calico gets too close — just overall MUCH more relaxed. Even though it's been 2 years since we introduced the calico, it wasn't too late to repair thank goodness.

Definitely worth the money for our cats.

Declawing presumably won't help, anyway - the cat will just find another means of showing its displeasure, like yowling, wetting, knocking things over, etc.. Try the above-mentioned suggestions first. I don't know if it's feasible, but would it be possible to get a bigger bed that both cats could use without having to get too close to each other?

I know how hard it can be to sleep with a cat that scratches a the doors. I think I mentioned that Trouble had that habit. I am happy to report that the water gun method worked for me. It took time and many sleepless nights, but now she behaves with only the occasional set back.

I know that some people feel the water gun method just makes the cat scared of you and not the water gun, but I think it is a far better alternative to getting the cat declawed. And quite honestly, my cats have never displayed fear of me, but I do get evil looks when I touch the gun, and usually it immediately stops the unwanted behavior.

I think Maui has a great idea, give that a try, or maybe the black kitty is just jealous of white kitty. Maybe if you pay a bit more attention to black kitty it will curb the behavior.

My thought is, even if you went ahead with the declaw procedure, it wouldn't stop the behavior, and might start even more behavioral problems. I think the nails would be gone, but she would continue to "scratch" at the walls and doors still creating a noise, and if she doesn't get the response she wants, my guess is she will find a new and more interesting way to get said response. I think there is something she wants, and she is trying to make you see it. Clal it jealously, or just a cry for more attention, she is going to try to make you see what she wants.

I don't know what to say. I know how frustrating it can be, I went months and months before Trouble stopped the behavior. I think for us, it was an attention issue. I was there (sleeping) and she wanted attention, when she did said behavior she got it.

Sleep deprivation can be very stressful, especially in a highly stressful job. Try everything you can, but please don't declaw. I would even say maybe it would be better to find your black kitty a new home where he/she is the only kitty. Please don't take this as a slight, I understand how frustrating it can be, and you have a right to a healthy life, and no sleep is decidedly unhealthy. I think love of the cat should really determine the outcome here. Let your heart guide you.

As I am sure you know, declawing is a painful procedure for kitty, so if all else fails, maybe a new home is a better choice. I don't know. It is so hard to say what is best here. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers, and hope that you and kitty can come to terms with the problem. Hugs for you and calming thought for kitty are on the way.

Willie was declawed by a previous owner, but if I shut him out of my room, he still "scratches" the door and cries.

Clarifications and responses:

. Bring the black kitty to bed with you at night and give them both snuggles.

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That's what doesn't make any sense to me, the black cat is the one that gets 95% of the attention, as the white cat is much less a "people cat." The white cat comes for attention when he wants it, the black cat constantly wants it. (and nine times out of ten, gets it)

I got a Feliway Plug-In to help my timid Russian Blue kitty accept a calico we rescued 2 years ago. Feliway contains a substance that mimics the calming face rubbing pheromones of a cat. It's marketed to help stop territoriality, spraying, vertical scratching and reduced interaction.

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An interesting thing to try, although I must tell you that no introduction of new animals preceded this. We got both cats at almost the same time about two to three years ago, and the white cat was there first. So its not a matter of the black cat feeling as if the white cat invaded his turf, the white cat was actually there first.

I will look into ordering this stuff and giving it a try, anything at this point is better than nothing.

I don't know if it's feasible, but would it be possible to get a bigger bed that both cats could use without having to get too close to each other?

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Its a queen size bed, with more than enough room for both my wife and I, two cats and the ferrets if they choose to sleep with us. The white cat sleeps at the foot of the bed, the black cat sleeps at the head of the bed. The black cat definitely has the "primo" spot, there is nothing to be jealous about other than merely the white cat's presence. He bullies the white cat enough as it is, I will not kick the white cat out because the black one is being a jerk.

I am happy to report that the water gun method worked for me. It took time and many sleepless nights, but now she behaves with only the occasional set back.

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Tried that, unfortunately waking up to spray him with the water bottle is still loss of continual REM sleep. Regardless, it doesn't deter the behavior.

I would even say maybe it would be better to find your black kitty a new home where he/she is the only kitty.

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This isn't an option. My wife will commit me to a mental home from sleep deprivation before she will get rid of one of the cats.

Willie was declawed by a previous owner, but if I shut him out of my room, he still "scratches" the door and cries.

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The way I figured it, even if he still scratches perhaps due to lack of claws the noise will be lessened to the point where I can sleep through it.

Thanks for the replies.

You can get the Feliway plug in at PetsMart. It is well worth the money. I am using one to help calm my cat who is angry with the feral cats who live outside. If it calms an angry and territorial male who is frustrated by another cat being in his turf, I am sure it will help calm a jealous cat.

Also, to keep him away from the door, get a large flat piece of cardboard. Cover one side with double-sided tape. Place the board tape-side up in front of the bedroom door such that to get to the door the cat will have to walk on the tape, and then shut the door. Most cats hate touching sticky stuff. So, he will not scratch on the door because he doesn't want to step on the tape.

Get ear plugs. They really work! You can find good, cheap ones at any WalMart or pharmacy. I think your wife will support this. If you wear ear plugs she gets to keep you and the cat!

Please note that if you declaw, he will just find another way to wake you up. It doesn't sound like his claws are the problem...it is his need for attention that keeps you awake. If he is declawed he will just be a toeless cat looking for attention instead of a cat with toes looking for attention. Declawing just doesn't make sense in this situation IMO

We're going to hit Petsmart to see if they have any in stock.

You're right though, declawing probably won't fix anything. When I woke up this morning all I could think about were ways of silencing that scratching, and declawing seemed logical. Of course, when you're not allowed much sleep, what sounds logical to me probably sounds completely irrational to others.

Going to have to pass on the earplugs idea though. That sounds very uncomfortable, and I'm not going to add to the discomfort this animal is already causing me. To be honest, I'm not really a cat person (Ferrets, yay /wink) so there are definitely limits as to how far I will bend backwards.

Appreciate the response.

Trust me, Bob, it's still loud! And with the addition of the pitiful meows... which becomes outraged complaining if I continue to ignore him... it won't help, believe me. I would say the suggestions you've already been given are much, much better options.

Originally posted by bobdobbs
Going to have to pass on the earplugs idea though. That sounds very uncomfortable, and I'm not going to add to the discomfort this animal is already causing me.

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Believe it or not, they are really comfortable. I use them whenever a friend who snores really loud visits. When I wear the plugs I can't hear a thing and I sleep like a baby.

*putting on my psychologist hat* When you say you are not willing to put up with any more discomfort than the cat is already causing....this makes me think that you are so irked at the cat (and maybe your wife for not being willing to give up the cat???) that you are not willing to try this very simple solution despite the fact that it is almost guaranteed to help you sleep. It makes me think of a battle of the wills...the cat must be the one who changes - not me! Well, I am of the strong belief that the most simple solution is most often the best solution. So, shrug your shoulders and tell the cat "Okay, you win! I'm getting some feliway and some ear plugs so I can get a good night's sleep!" If you do get good sleep, who is the real winner...the cat or you? I think the answer is that YOU have won the battle because you are able to get that vital REM sleep!

All responses are appreciated, I think I will go the plugin route.

Honestly, after I did some Websearches on declawing and seeing some surgical photos, I wasn't sure if I was angry enough to subject the cat to that, whether I liked him or not. After a little thought, I came to the conclusion that I wasn't.

That's a pretty nasty procedure.

It makes me think of a battle of the wills...the cat must be the one who changes - not me!

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Jeez, I didn't know my wife posted on this forum.

Chalk it up to male Polish stubborness.

I've looked into the Feliway per the recommendation previously posted. The response I received was to help me with a cat introduction; however, in researching it's to help with many many behavior issues.

I have a kitty who had her front claws removed. I promise you, she makes no less noise than my kitty with claws. And believe me, when you declaw you open a whole new door to other issues with kitty. My now ex-boyfriend was the original parent of kitty and had her claws removed. He didn't understand the pain when he had it done. After her claws were removed, her personality completely changed. She became more aggressive due to losing the sense of protection by having claws. By aggression, I mean attacking even me and using her teeth. I would highly recommend trying something else because as I said, you won't be helping your sleep problem, kitty will still make as much noise and you'll have more problems on your hands.

I do understand what it's like not getting rest at night as I'm dealing with the now aggressive kitty going at it with the new kitty all night. I just have to find methods to sooth the issue....which is why I turned to the experts here! Good luck!

Originally posted by bobdobbs


Jeez, I didn't know my wife posted on this forum.

Chalk it up to male Polish stubborness.

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LOL :laughing: I'm glad you can have a sense of humor about all of this!