Becoming Overwhelmed

I posted about a month ago about my cat, Charlie. Im sending out a new post to try to get some more help.

The issues:
1- Charlie scratches the bed rails, posts, etc at night while we are sleeping
2- If kept out of a room he scratches at the door

I need both of these to stop, #1 because he is waking me and hubby up at night and soon for #2 I won't be having him sleep with me at night because I'm having a baby and I'm not going to allow the cats in the room if the baby is sleeping with us or in the nursery.

Things I've tried
1- new toys, more playtime - 0 improvement at night
2- new cat tree - improvement on scratching during daytime 0 at night
3- spraying with water - temporary improvement for about 5 minutes
4- locking in bathroom - temporary improvement but doesn't change behavior
5- kitty claw caps - 0 improvement because it still wakes us up even if the damage to bed or door/floor has lessened
6- putting towels in front of door - 0 improvement, still trying to get in

I'm getting exasperated at his behavior and worried about dealing with him and our baby. I have another cat who doesn't give me any issues.

I love my little Charlie but it's overwhelming me that nothing I have tried has had any real improvement on the issues. I've been working on improving these issues for about two months now.

I know he scratches at the bed after he wakes up at night, but I would prefer him to use his post.

He needs to stop scratch at doors because they are going to be closed no matter what when the baby comes. He is a cuddle bug and I don't want him trying to sleep next to the baby when I'm not supervising. My other cat will be treated the same but he quietly waits outside the door if he's not allowed in.

Please help.

Is the scratching posts right next to the bed?

Have you tried double sided tape on the bed posts where he scratches? Cats don't like the feel of sticky tape on their paws. I hear some don't like Tim foil either

Draco said:

Is the scratching posts right next to the bed?

Have you tried double sided tape on the bed posts where he scratches? Cats don't like the feel of sticky tape on their paws. I hear some don't like Tim foil either

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No, the post is in the living room (right around the corner from our room) because the sound of him scratching wakes both of us up.

He doesn't just scratch one area of the bed - it's any part of the bed that is wood which in turn is the entire bed itself.

First of all, if you're planning on keeping the cats out of the bedroom after you've had the baby, make that change now and be firm about. It might be easier for Charlie to understand the boundaries if you never let the cats into the bedroom from now on.

Secondly, you can get scratchers that fit round the door frame. I'd seriously consider fitting these to either side of the bedroom door so Charlie has somewhere appropriate to scratch in that area. It might also help to put double sided tape on the parts of the door that he can reach to protect the door.

Get some Feliway diffusers and put them at strategic points around the house. If you can't afford that,just get one and plug it in as near to your bedroom as possible.

You say you've tried extra playtime - have you tried very active play that simulates the hunt (wand toys are best for this), followed by food. That will mimic the hunt-kill-eat cycle, which is naturally followed by grooming and sleep. It's a great way to re set his body clock, and encourage him to sleep when you want him to.

If all else fails,try earplugs while Charlie adjusts to the new routine!

Start preparing the cats now for the babies arrival.  It will be a shock to the cats as well.  This will be a big change in their lives so work with the cats now.  Lots of active play time.  Have you tried a da bird wand toy or laser pointer?  You really need to get him moving.  Play until he is worn out and then reward him with a yummy special treat or small meal. 

I would start keeping the door closed now.  Do not allow him in.  Make another special place for him to cuddle.  Have you tried placing a gate outside the door?  Also what about a white noise machine so you can't hear him as well. 

Lots of different types of scratching posts are necessary.

Also try some feliway.  The cats will need it when the baby arrives. You also might want to look into composure liquid max calming supplement.  It too will help the cats.

Prepare now and be gentle with the cats.  Change takes time and commitment. 

Columbine said:

First of all, if you're planning on keeping the cats out of the bedroom after you've had the baby, make that change now and be firm about. It might be easier for Charlie to understand the boundaries if you never let the cats into the bedroom from now on.

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Do you mean keep them out 24/7 or just while we are sleeping?

Also, I have toy wise: mice, cat wand, laser pointer. I play with him after work with the cat wand and laser pointer by the cat tree so he can climb it and run around the living room. We play anywhere from 30 min to over an hour and he never tires out. My older cat does but I think Charlie is the energizer bunny.

jackandcharlie said:

 

Columbine said:

First of all, if you're planning on keeping the cats out of the bedroom after you've had the baby, make that change now and be firm about. It might be easier for Charlie to understand the boundaries if you never let the cats into the bedroom from now on.

Click to expand...

Do you mean keep them out 24/7 or just while we are sleeping?

Also, I have toy wise: mice, cat wand, laser pointer. I play with him after work with the cat wand and laser pointer by the cat tree so he can climb it and run around the living room. We play anywhere from 30 min to over an hour and he never tires out. My older cat does but I think Charlie is the energizer bunny.

Click to expand...

Yep.  Keep him out 24/7.  He won't understand that he can only come in the room some of the time.  I would just keep the door closed all the time.  If the baby is in there, you don't want him there.  It will make it easier on him.

Just give him extra cuddle time in a new location.  Give lots of treats so he associates the new spot with something good. 

Timing of play is very important if you're tackling night time issues. Really get him moving with the toy - lots of jumping, leaping etc. Give him at least 10 - 15 mins of this really active play just before you want to go to bed. Then feed him (or them - hard to feed one and not the other in my experience ) and go to bed yourselves. There was an episode of 'My Cat From Hell' that dealt with a similar issue...the cat wasn't scratching, but had numerous other ways to torment his owners at night. The play eat sleep cycle I've described made a massive difference.

As ShadowsRescue already said, Charlie won't understand only being allowed in the bedroom part of the time. Boundaries really do have to be black and white - especially when re training.

The people above have given you great tips!  Just wanted to add a few:

Double sided tape is great but a bit on the expensive side.  Try using contact kitchen shelf paper.  As it is not double sided you need to fold or the top & bottom to make it stick or tape around the edges.

Did you clip your cat's claws on a regular basis?

More scratching posts is an excellent idea.  Most cats like the kind with sisal rope.  Cat trees usually have them on the sides.  A cat tree or two would be a good idea after the baby comes for letting the cat get out of reach if necessary.

Feliway is great & comes in spray & collars.  Most cats do not like collars so I have found the diffusers are the best.

There is no substitute for the Da Bird.  It flies like a bird. Undercover Mouse is a good one as well but don't overuse it. 

Jackson Galaxy (My Cat from Hell" had a program to prepare you cat prior to the baby's arrival.  The baby will not be in one room forever.

  Get the cat used to all the things you would do with a baby before the baby comes.  Get a life like doll & place it in the crib.  Put baby products you will use on the doll.  Simulate feeding & washing the baby.

  They make CDs with baby crying noises.  Play it around the baby things but not all the time.  Introduce these new things one at time.  When every the cat is near the baby items give him a treat or two. Don't punish the cat  when it tries to check out the baby. Give the cat lots of attention after the baby comes.  You want your cat to see the baby has a good thing to be around. I am sure there were more tips in the program; maybe you can see it on line.

So many cat problems are caused by not enough play & exercise.  I am going through some problems with my new young cat because she just can't get enough play. 

Hope this helps!

R riley1 thank you for those ideas! I just introduced the crib last week. They sniffed it and tried to jump in it a few times. I picked them out of it right away and now they don't even notice it.

I'm going to try the baby cry sounds when I get more things, I wonder how scared they will get. Charlie just had his first thunderstorm last week and sadly it was a bad one, he hid under the bed for the bad part of it.

I do clip their nails regularly and I've started putting claw caps on Charlie. His nails get longer and sharper than Jack's.

Thanks for your reply!

I see the list of things you have tried and have to suggest Feliway. Also the composure liquid added to wet food.Or the composure chews ( if he won't eat them sprinkle them with fortiflora and then he will) these two things can make a real difference when added to the other things you are doing.They have been lifesavers for me when I bring home new cats. Calm reigns in my home when I plug in the diffusers .I make sure to have them around and I use the feliway spray in the carrier etc. They are expensive but so is a new door!

I as well am feeling overwhelmed by my bundle of joy. We recently rescued a cat from a shelter, and for the most part she is wonderful. I have concerns as to knowing what she wants from me.
She jumps on counters and tables, which I know is normal behavior for cats, but we are diligent about removing her from unwanted areas immediately to try to instill in her knowledge of where she should and should not be, but it seems to make no difference. She will jump up now and when we go to get her off, she immediately jumps off as if she knows she is not supposed to be in that particular area. We have removed things from those areas that we feel she could view as toys which might make her want to jump up more. Not sure what to do there. We attempt
To give her attention with toys and affection hoping that this is what she I looking for, but she shys away at these times. She has now turned to being disruptive early in the morning making it literally impossible to keep sleeping. I thought she might be lonely or hungry, but she has food at these times and again she shys away from affection. Am I missing something. I feel she is not getting something that she needs and that is why she is behaving this way, but for the life of me cannot realize the remedy.

I am having the counter problem as well.  Mine is a bit different because my cat is hungry all the time.  Using contact paper (sticky side up) but it has been there for weeks & as soon as I take it off she is up there again.  Also tried carpet runners with no effect.  Not sure why she is so hungry.  She gets about 6 oz of wet food & a few pieces of dry as treats.  As soon as I give her more she starts gaining.  The vet said she is just a chow hound & should not gain weight.  The sink is not covered so she digs in the garbage disposal.  I can't leave dry food out because she eats it all immediately.  She is a young cat so I am not worried about diseases.

If I were you I would try the contact paper & make sure there is not even a crumb on the counters. 

If she shies away from you I would give her some time & let her come to you.  Never punish her or use a water bottle.  She may need time to settle in.

I have to go but i am sure others will post help!

I would try several options already mentioned for the OP - Feliway diffusers, double sided tape (or similar) on the edges of the counters and tables (crumpled foil could also work in your case), and interactive play with a wand type toy (Da Bird is ideal, but there are tons of options out there - keep experimenting until you find the one that gets your cat going). Also,as it seems your cat likes to be up high, make sure she has plenty of higher places that she's allowed to be on - cat trees, shelves with a non slip surface - give her plenty of vertical space options and make space for her in your home.

The following articles should help too:
http://www.thecatsite.com/a/get-off-how-to-discourage-your-cat-from-jumping-on-counters
http://www.thecatsite.com/a/cats-and-discipline-dont-mix
http://www.thecatsite.com/a/the-dos-and-donts-of-cat-behavior-modification
http://www.thecatsite.com/a/clicker-training-for-cats
http://www.thecatsite.com/a/playing-with-your-cat-ten-things-every-cat-owner-needs-to-know
http://www.thecatsite.com/a/cat-play-the-rules-of-the-game

Thanks so much for your quick response. She does have a large cat tree that she does spend quite a bit of time on. We will of course keep working with her. Thanks so much for the help!

Update!

Just wanted to send a quick thank you to @Columbine, @ShadowsRescue, and @Riley1  for your advice.  Last week I started Charlie out with a new set of kitty soft paws and we've started closing the door to the bedroom 24/7.  The first night was pretty rough but since then both cats have been really good and we are able to get sleep at night. I'm feeling less anxiety about keeping Charlie and I feel more calm about the whole situation.  Charlie has also been acting better in general as well. Thanks again!

Such good news.  Thanks for the update.  Do try and get him used to baby sounds.  It will help him so that he isn't so startled when the baby arrives.

Keep us posted.