Boyfriend considering euthanasia for behavior issues WDYT?

It was very kind of him to take in the cat and not just dump her, most people wouldn't be bothered especially with behavioral issues and puking.

However, not everyone, especially someone just having a cat dumped in their lap has the technical knowledge of specific feline needs, and meeting these can often have a very rapid transformative effect.

Cats are territorial animals, and it is normal for them to be apprehensive about unknown cats invading their territory. This does not generally translate to humans or other species, just to actual feline competitors. My two don't elicit an aggressive response, but a fearful one where they puff up and back off.

Cats are also 3D animals, and you can do a big number on cat psychology just by providing them a lot of elevations for them to climb on and overview their territory from a secure, safe, and calming location. Cat trees and shelves are critical to any healthy cat home IMO. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NcJ0vi0WIzs

It is also important that cats have mental stimulation throughout the day, and a lack of this over time can lead to separation anxiety since he may be the only interesting stimulation that occurs in the household, and when left alone goes back to a void vacuum of isolation. Not all cats get along with other cats, but the dog could be a nice companion. A perch by a window is often called "cat television" and provides quite a bit of entertainment. Outdoor enclosures are also a lot of fun for cats, if you have the means to set one up and install a cat door. Great fun for us is a bird feeder, that they love watching with twitchy tail and trilling: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PFc0FqyVjD8

And just as dogs can become destructive and have all kinds of behavioral problems if they aren't walked everyday, IMO it is also important to play with a cat everyday in place of the walk, especially for a lone cat that doesn't have a playmate to chase around and wrestle with. A great toy is a product called the Da Bird available on amazon, and has feather and mouse attachments. If you have hardfloors, bouncy balls are also a lot of fun for my guys, as are small rattle mice. 15 mins of play a day is recommended, and can be squeezed in before bedtime.

For the puking is actually not that uncommon, but can be dealt with. If the cat is fed kibble, its not that uncommon for cats to eat too quickly, which results in upset stomach. If this is the case, I would recommend a product called the Petsafe Slimcat distributer ball. The kibble falls out slowly when bat around, and is fun for cats. Switching to smaller wet meals can also work, and I'd make sure that the cat is getting at least one wet meal a day.


I do believe in both negative and positive reinforcement techniques, however, spray bottles usually do more harm than good because the cat should not see you squirting it to get the right association of the crime.

If you watch shows like "my cat from hell", you'll see how amazingly quickly felines can change with an environmental adjustment.

BTW, for cat proofing trash, I would recommend simple-human trash cans that have a cat proof lid. Mine is battery powered, so pushing down on it won't open it, and its too tall for them to reach. The step ones work just as well in that regard, better than the rotating ones IMO. Or just keep the trash in a cabinet under the sink for example.

For cat trees, I picked up two of these and have been very happy with the quality after replacing the pet toy strings with more durable strings/toys:
http://www.amazon.com/Armarkat-Pet-P...1031257&sr=8-1

There's also a cheaper smaller one:
http://www.amazon.com/Armarkat-B5701...1031257&sr=8-2

I sure hope we can help you too!

No offense, but I really hope that we can help this poor old kitty cat with serious abandonment issues more. After all, she's facing a life or death situation.

I'm going to start out saying that my post may not be the most helpful, unfortunately. I see some things that I would like to point out to you but I'm not sure how much it will help her/you two learn to deal with her.

Some people would say that I anthromorphize cats too much (projecting human emotion onto a non-human being). They may be right in that I likely do take it a few steps too far. But I try very hard to understand why a cat acts out in order to figure out the steps to take to redirect the undesired behavior to a desired & acceptable behavior to the human(s) that she lives with.

As I said, this poor old girl obviously has some severe abandonment issues from her past. I don't know what caused them but I'm sure getting dumped on a guy who didn't really want her didn't help her underlying paranoia. If I had to guess, though, I would say that the issue goes much deeper than just a couple years ago.

It seems to me that she is doing everything she can to cling to your BF in the hopes that he won't throw her away too. She sees her behavior getting the desired result - attention. Whether it's positive (pets, lap time) or negative (yelling, squirted with the bottle) it is still attention.

Punishing her for seeking attention will not solve this for anyone involved. Then she is torn between happy that she's getting the attention and being afraid of your BF yet still craving the security he provides. She's a very dysfunctional little cat!

The extreme cat-aggression can, I think, also be traced to her insecurity. She does not want another cat coming into her house and taking over her human! As to how she sees your dog - what size is the dog? Trying to think like a cat, if it is a small dog (about the same size/smaller than her) you may very well have issues. Best bet would be to keep them completely separated until you're sure they can get along.

Initially, rehoming to a new location and an inquisitive dog will be tough on her, and while I agree against caging a cat, there is nothing wrong with tossing em in a room with a window by themselves for a week, and is recommended whenever moving a cat to a new "territory" anyway until they feel safe.

For destructive behavior with the claws, as a temporary measure at least you can put on soft-claws if the cat will tolerate claws being touched. These are simply little plastic nail caps.

I don't have experience with it yet, but if the cat is feisty, you might try clip scruffing, so the cat will be still enough to have those glue to her nails: http://www.thecatsite.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=233212

Worst case scenario, although the forum is against it, I would laser declaw if the only alternative is euthanasia. The laser is more expensive, but allows bandage free post op and cauterizes blood vessels and nerve endings for quicker healing/ less pain.

While I am totally against declawing, if the only other alternative was euthanasia, I might say go ahead, BUT since she has all these other issues besides scratching the carpet, fixing one issue and potentially causing others sounds like a terrible idea.

Is she scratching the carpet under/outside the door? Is it because she's not allowed in the bedroom? Is she usually allowed in there at night?

Cats enjoy routine, and they're very territorial, so if she's normally allowed in there, and sometimes closed out, she'll dig to get in. The "rules" about the bedroom should be consistent - either she's allowed in there at night or she's not. And if she's not allowed in there at night, and she's going at the carpet, you/your BF can try several things.

1) Buy a carpet remnant or small throw rug and put it down over the carpet where she's digging, so she destroys the inexpensive thing, and/or

2) If she's scared of the vacuum cleaner (like most cats are), set it next to the door with the plug handy. (This may mean some issues sleeping for a night or two, but often works). When she starts digging, plug in the vacuum (leave it in the "on" position so you don't have to keep getting up). Let it run for a minute. Do this each time she starts digging. She'll come to associate her digging with the noise she's scared of and should stop the digging at the door.

Some other things to consider:

Purchase a Feliway plug-in. They're a bit expensive - but so often worth it. Feliway is a synthetic hormone that mimics the "friendly" markers in cats' cheeks, and it may help calm her down a bit. Just make sure not to plug it in near a litter box.

Buy Bach's Flower Essences - Rescue Remedy. Just put three drops in her water dish. Make sure to change the water daily and add the drops each time. He can also dab JUST A LITTLE behind her ears, at the base of her tail, and under her chin. This is not a product where "more is better," just a little is enough.

I think the idea of playing with her in the morning and evening is a good idea if he's not already doing this. Interactive play with a wand toy really helps relieve stress. da Bird is great. They have different ends on them - feathers, a little mouse (which seems very small but our cats go NUTS for it!), and a rabbit tail like thing. Switch 'em up to keep her interested. Or if she really prefers one thing over another, get several different wand toys with similar type ends on them, and switch them up. Dogs will play with the same beat up tennis ball over and over again, because they're into the play and interaction with their person. Cats... react based on their "prey" instinct, and get bored with the same toys. You can also try a little catnip spray on them to renew her interest in them.

Only one of our cats will play with toys by herself. All the others only play if we make the toy move.

I hope it works out!

If its just scratching to get past a door, SSSCAT works awesome for that.

You can leave the door open, and it just sprays a harmless poof of compressed air at em when they cross the motion sensor. Since its an invisible omnipresent evil force, they just avoid the area all together if put behind a door threshold.

He loves the cat but will consider euthanizing it for behavorial issues? I'm sorry, that just doesn't seem right to me that someone would love an animal but would consider putting it down over non-life threatening issues. It is great that you come to a forum to get others' opinions and obviously many are offering their tips here, but at the same time, I must say that unless you are wiling to put in the effort and time to really try to help the cat...and be honest with yourself whether or not you truly want this cat as part of your lives and put in the ,care and attention it needs. Otherwise, you and your boyfriend will get frustrated with the situation and again consider drastic steps. In all honesty, if I were you and your boyfriend, consider asking a non-kill shelter to take in the kitty. When I got my 2nd kitty a few months ago, I visited a number of these shelters where I live and these folks are incredible about saving animals no matter what - so hopefully if that time comes that you can't handle the cat, please at least consider those options and let others save the cat. Good luck

First of all I think its great that although you are a dog person you are here to see if you can make this work. Cats and dogs are very different.

Honestly your cat does not sound too bad. All my cats meow and pace and drive me nuts if I leave them outside of a room. Anytime a door closes, even if I am not in the room they act that way....cats are sooo curious and always want to know what is going on. I just ignore them or keep the door open (even to the bathroom...good thing I live alone )

Her aggression towards other cats outside is completely normal. Many cats have this behavior. Its part of them being territorial. I do not think this behavoir is a huge red flag of how she may behave with your dog. Also, most dogs become cat "savvy" and learn when to stay away from the cat. Cats also give warning hisses and growls and slaps but rarely aim to outright hurt another animal.

Your BF is right about not crateing a cat....its never a good idea and makes things worse actually. They actually like being able to go up high, so anything that can help her get up high is worth investing in. Like a cat tree of even a book shelf. You can get cheaper cat trees at spoil my kitty.com than you can in the store. Trees that are over 200 bucks in store are close to 80 online through that site and free shipping.

Read on this site about introducing cats and dogs....its definately worth spending some time researching this topic. I think you can absolutely be successful. Some cats prefer dogs over other cats as companions.

You have gotten some great advice so far and I hope you continue to learn more about your BF's cat. I also want to add that I use the simple human trash can also and wouldn't be without it as one of my cats loves to eat everything...until you have seen a cat poop out a q-tip or an 8 inch piece of red ribbon you haven't seen anything!

I also wanted to add my opinion that getting a cat scratcher (they sell one that is in a wave type shape that mine love) or a throw rug/carpet is a great idea to get her to stop scratching where she loves to on the carpet. Sometimes you have to experiment to find what kind of stuff they like to scratch or if they like to scratch vertically or horizontially.

Good luck to you!

Welcome to TCS! I hope we can help you and your boyfriend find a way to make things work with your cat. Others have give you some great advice. Here's my two cents worth!

Just because the cat is cat aggressive, that doesn't mean she'll be aggressive toward your dog. DO read the threads on how to introduce the two but until you put these two individuals together, you won't really know how they'll act. I've seen many cats and dogs be very good friends. I hope that's true for these two as well. It may even be that once she and the dog are friends she'll have less need to be clingy to your boyfriend and will pal up with the dog more. That may give him some of the peace he needs.

I, too, have a very needy cat and I love him to pieces but he can be aggravating. However, since I have other animals, he'll sometimes aggravate them instead of me! I know it gives me a reprieve!