Hi, I'm new to this sight looking for help.
We've been taking care of these two kittens practically from birth because they're mama actually didn't want to feed or take care of them and wanted to take care of a litter of strays she found outside (we live in a trailer park and there's TOO many cats everywhere). She refused to feed or even be around her own cats and we tried to keep them together so she had to but she would just hiss and batt at them after about 4 weeks after being born.
The two kittens have grown up healthy, mama cat disappeared (she never wanted to come back in after giving birth) and now they are 7 almost 8 months old, both boys. They know how to use a litter box and do so just fine, they have lots of toys and we even made them they're own corner of blankets and cardboard boxes to sleep and play since there isn't a whole lot of room to run....which comes to the problem. If they're not sleeping, they're running around being obnoxious!!! They run around at night and climb onto desks and shelves and knock things down whether we're home, at work, or asleep. We used to swat their butts or noses or spray them with a bottle when they wouldn't stop before we knew how bad that was for cats.
One of them now fears us while the other one is acting out more and more every day. They know what they're doing is wrong because I'll make a short hiss sound and they'll stop and stare at me and walk away but as soon as I look away they go back to what they were doing!!! But whenever we get up, they run and hide scared of getting hit...We now know not to punish them the way we have been.... what do we do now?!?! We love them to death and want to keep them and gain their love and trust again but they won't stop misbehaving!! I know they're kittens and will grow out of it but how long do I have to put up with this?! I need help or I'm going to go insane!!!!
Help!!!!
We've been taking care of these two kittens practically from birth because they're mama actually didn't want to feed or take care of them and wanted to take care of a litter of strays she found outside (we live in a trailer park and there's TOO many cats everywhere). She refused to feed or even be around her own cats and we tried to keep them together so she had to but she would just hiss and batt at them after about 4 weeks after being born.
The two kittens have grown up healthy, mama cat disappeared (she never wanted to come back in after giving birth) and now they are 7 almost 8 months old, both boys. They know how to use a litter box and do so just fine, they have lots of toys and we even made them they're own corner of blankets and cardboard boxes to sleep and play since there isn't a whole lot of room to run....which comes to the problem. If they're not sleeping, they're running around being obnoxious!!! They run around at night and climb onto desks and shelves and knock things down whether we're home, at work, or asleep. We used to swat their butts or noses or spray them with a bottle when they wouldn't stop before we knew how bad that was for cats.
One of them now fears us while the other one is acting out more and more every day. They know what they're doing is wrong because I'll make a short hiss sound and they'll stop and stare at me and walk away but as soon as I look away they go back to what they were doing!!! But whenever we get up, they run and hide scared of getting hit...We now know not to punish them the way we have been.... what do we do now?!?! We love them to death and want to keep them and gain their love and trust again but they won't stop misbehaving!! I know they're kittens and will grow out of it but how long do I have to put up with this?! I need help or I'm going to go insane!!!!
Help!!!!
