6 month Siberian is a jerk

I've posted several times in the past regarding a kitten/cat introduction.

We neutered the kitten around the 5 1/2 month mark.

This is sort of a broad complaint, but this Siberian kitten is a jerk. He is a joyous, fun-loving brute who loves to tackle the adult who is now smaller than him. Our overall strategy has been to give him plenty of attention as a kitten to make him tired. As he's grown he seems to have more energy and doesn't need to sleep as much. Even with lots of playtime, he seems to get bored and just wants to get into trouble. We've tried to set only a couple clear boundaries for him like not going on the kitchen counter. He knows. But if we ignore him for 10 minutes he pushes all the buttons he needs to for any kind of attention. Our method of calmly putting him in time out in the laundry room doesn't seem to do anything. When we let him out he often runs out to jump back into whatever trouble got him there in the first place.

Any thought would be appreciated. I've often gotten the advise on this site to just get another kitten. I understand the concept behind this, but it is not the route we are going.

I'd either get him some company, quit my job and play with him all day, or give him to someone who will play with him... he's plainly starved for action and it seems a shame to treat him like a human toddler with punishments, etc...  What are the chances you can redo your place with narrow walkways up the walls to high ledges, hanging toys, etc?  Do you play games like pulling knotted cords under newspaper page for him to pounce on?  Give him a box with both ends out to tunnel in (and throw treats through)?  Wiggle an indestructible little toy on a flex rod to catch? 

He doesn't sound like a jerk - just a highly energetic and exuberant kitten! :lol3: He's just starting to move from babyhood into early adolescence, and part of that is testing every boundary he can find to breaking point. I know it's not easy to live with, but it's part of the joy(?) of having a kitten

The key really is going to be providing him with plenty of physical and mental stimulation. Open up as much vertical space for him as you can (by use of cat trees, shelving, walkways etc), and make good use of it during his interactive playtime - running up and down a variety of levels is always going to burn more energy than staying on the floor.

Clicker training could also be a good option for him - put that clever brain to good use. Cats can learn most tricks and agility that dogs can - you just have to keep training sessions MUCH shorter, and find an extra yummy treat he goes wild for that he only ever gets during training.

Harness training him could be a great move - walks in the outside world will use up lots of energy, leaving him ready for a snooze when he gets back home.

Lastly, look into interactive feeders. Anything that engages his brain in a positive (as opposed to destructive) way can only be good news for you.[article="0"][/article][article="0"][/article][article="22430"][/article][article="30493"][/article][article="22426"][/article][article="22537"][/article][thread="297074"][/thread]

Columbine thanks for the advise,


we have a harness that we've tried a few times and can probably get him more comfortable with; I've always been nervous that he'll cross paths with dogs or something.

ddpb2112 said:

 
Columbine thanks for the advise,

we have a harness that we've tried a few times and can probably get him more comfortable with; I've always been nervous that he'll cross paths with dogs or something.

Click to expand...

Is is very, very good advice.  Read it again...and one more time.  Now, sit down and breathe realllllllly deep.  I'm so sorry to say it like this, but HANG ON, IT'S A WILD RIDE!  You are now living with the equivalent of a...oh...10-14 year old boy (they all mature at slightly different rates).  And like boys, they're wild, wooly, full of energy, and don't listen worth squat.  They are also cute, and infinitely sweet when you can get them to hold still for 15 seconds.  And yeah, they can come off like jerks, but it does pass with time.  And just for general information, a queen (female) would be giving you just as much grief.  Teenagers.  Sheesh.

My Siberian, almost 6 months, is a bit of a "jerk" as well. We play constantly until he's panting and exhausted but he wakes up full of pep!!' We decided to bring home a half brother for him....hopefully this will occupy him!!