PLEASE HELP....Worse Kitty Ever!!!

hissy · Jan 22, 2005

Spending the day with Prowler: (13 week old kitten)

4:00 a.m. Prowler leaps of the bed and jumps sideways back and forth, then pounces about 3 feet in the air landing smack on the top of the first human chest as her landing pad. We both roll over presenting her with our backs and burrow under the covers.

Then she runs between us, trying to find our heads, once she has located a head, she steamrolls over the top of the victim's head back and forth. We giggle and wait her out.

Now she is frustrated. She runs between us and starts digging into the bedclothes as if it were her litter pan. We grab the blankets and tighten them down. We have learned she does this action, to creep the blankets away from our control. Mike whispers and calls her the orange devil.

Her action not working, she leaps across from the bed aiming for the windowsill and the vertical blinds. Back and forth she weaves through the blinds (clatter...clatter...clatter...) Still no movement from the humans in the bed, only muffled laughter from the humans still in bed.

She pounces again back to the bed square on a back- then scrambles up the ladder to the top of the closet, knocking down the folded clothes, scattering them down on the ground. Then she makes her final leap of the day to the middle of the bed, goes up to pop, turns around three times and goes to sleep.

She knows we won't get up to accomodate her, but she has to run her energy off someway- and yes, we play with her interactively all day and she terrorizes the other cats as well! LOL Care to trade kittens?

rosiemac · Jan 22, 2005

That sounded like my bedroom at 5.40.a.m. this morning!.

I was out with friends until late last night which meant because Rosie and Sophie were confined in their room they slept for most of the time i was out.

Result... Sophie being wide awake, walking all over my face back and forth, jumping on the dresser, then jumping on my side, having another walk only this time around the top of my head but purring.

Result... Susan gets up because her cat needs to play chase properly up and down the stairs with her step sister Rosie!

ilovecats · Jan 22, 2005

I can understand your feelings about this. We all know that dogs are the complete opposite from cats. Still- my dog I rescued, Caeser, would lay down on walks, and would not get up. We checked him at the vet, and he was fine. He would NOT GET UP. Not with treats, happy voices, even pulling, nothing. This was really hard for me, him being over 70 pounds, me being just over 90. I had to keep practicing. I worked on getting away from the places he layed down, and all kinds of different things. He's fine now.

Your kitten wants something to do. She's being a kitten. Kittens are, basically, little kids. Give her something to do. Don't even show she is winning. Don't show you're upset, or she will know she can do what she wants without consequenses.

Praise good behavior, if any, with treats. Try to hold her, relax her. If she is a bother in the mourning, I know Princess was at that age, put her in her own room at night, and shut the door. Then shut your bedroom door. Open her room up when you are awake and ready. Soon she should be used to getting up when you're ready. I hope this helps. Remember, don't give up. PM me if you need any more advice.

noni · Jan 22, 2005

I think my best trick when Simon came to me at early hours when I was sleeping was to pick him up, tuck him against my belly under the covers, hold him there securely, and try to go back to sleep. As a consequence, he learned that he will be confined if he interrupts my sleep....and now, when he comes under the covers, I know it's because he wants to sleep instead of play.

Another trick I use when Simon is just about ready to make me lose my mind is I pick him up, and hand him to one of the other cats (usually Esse). She lays a paw over him, and grooms him, and he either calms down or he wrestles her. Either way, I'm not bothered any more for a few minutes at least.

Hang in there...you and she will survive.

Best-
Michele

jcat · Jan 22, 2005

Our Jamie literally did not sleep for 2 or 3 days at a time as a kitten, and was seen by specialists due to his hyperactivity, and put through all sorts of neurological tests. He still averages only 8 - 10 hours a day of sleep, which is very little for a cat his age (6 in April). We were advised to feed him very high-quality cat food with as little grain as possible, and no artificial preservatives, and told that the "magic number" was 18 months; before that age you really can't expect "perfect" behavior. A friend with a hyperactive child sent me all sorts of articles about avoiding soy (one about hyperactive dogs), and after doing so, I saw a marked improvement in Jamie's behavior. As he won't accept other cats, we've made sure that he has regular play sessions with our neighbors' dog, and lots of play with us ("chase" is wonderful, though it wears me out; a laser pointer is a good investment, too.). As to the nighttime terrors - Michele has given you some good tips. I'd also suggest feeding your cat right before you go to bed.
The behavior you're describing is nowhere near what we went through (have you ever seen a cat literally climb walls to catch a spider on a 9 ft. high ceiling, slide down the railing of a 3-storey spiral staircase, or empty a double kitchen cabinet of its contents? Not to mention make long-distance telephone calls or press the test button on a printer 50 to 100 times in one night), and also doesn't match the experiences of other people with truly hyperactive cats (the worst was a Persian; go figure: they're supposed to be couch potatoes) I met at clinics and through a self-help forum. I'd say you have a normal, rambunctious kitten, and her behavior will improve with age. Until then, you'll have to put away all breakables, and learn to completely sleep under the covers at night (and maybe try ear plugs). It's not that I don't sympathize with you, but what you're going through really fits into the "normal" category.

mom of franz · Jan 22, 2005

Not to mention make long-distance telephone calls .[/quote]

Now I get it! Franz kept telling me there was some German speaking kittie calling him at all hours of the night...he kept repeating, Gutenbend Franz, wie geht es Ihnen? Franz also said he was a heavy breather, so he thought it was a prank caller with a dirty mind!. Now that we know it was Jamie Cat, Franz says to have him call back, just don't reverse the charges!

navdoc · Jan 22, 2005

Two words...."Laser Pointer". I use it before bedtime to get G and G's energy out so we all sleep well at night.

portdevoix · Jan 22, 2005

Originally Posted by MrsJDV

She should not be jumping up on things, that she has been told not to about 500 times already.....She don't listen....

You don't get it. Cats don't "listen." They do what they please, and if we want to have their company, we must adjust to their requirements.

There are usually three ways to make a cat not do what you don't want them to do:

1. Take the temptation away: tuck away cables so they don't chew, put away delicate objects that can get knocked over and clear high surfaces, tie up cords, and don't leave dangling tablecloths on tables, etc...

2. Make what they are doing unpleasant for them: The unpleasantness can't generate from an action you perform, because it is impossible to enforce consistency unless you are with the ct 24/7. Clapping, squirting, yelling, they are all things that aren't direct consequences of their actions. Deterrence only works when a cat perceives negative consequences generating DIRECTLY from the unwanted behavior. If a cat is clawing at the furniture, either spray it with something they will find unpleasant like bitter apple, or put sticky tape on it to deter them from doing it. A cat understands "when I touch the couch, my paw sticks to it (or it smells funny)and I hate it. I don't like touching the couch." A cat only interprets yelling as "mommy is mad at me and I don't know why."

3. Divert their attention to something they will think is better than the undesirable behavior: If they are playing with the drapes, play with them using interactive toys. If they are clawing the couch give them a scratching post whose smell texture they like better than that of the couch.

A cat is not a dog. A cat won't stop doing what it wants to do just because it thinks that it will displease you. Pleasing or displeasing another is the furthest thing from a cat's mind. Unless you adjust to this, you won't be a terribly successful cat guardian.

mrsjdv · Jan 24, 2005

Laser Pointer? Had one since before I even got Bubbles. She don't play with it really. Maybe did for about 5 minutes the first time I showed it to her. Now when I bring it out, she just looks at it for a second, then goes about jumping on the dresser, or playing with her other toys. (bra straps, bag handles, plastic ties, tampon wrappers.......LOL)

jen · Jan 24, 2005

It has been suggested already, but seriously try Feliway. It is sort of expensive but man does it work. Ask the majority of the people on this forum.

gotpersian · Jan 25, 2005

Does sound like she's going through natural adolescence and all adolescents have different ways of making it thru puberty. A word of caution - catnip toys may make her more hyper at this age. I had to take all the catnip away since we got our kitten because he'd wake us at all hours of the night after playing with it. The older cats are so cute when they play with it but he becomes a total terror. There will be no more catnip in our house until Frank is past puberty! Good luck.

PS I also feel it's better to consider rehoming your kitty if she's stressing you out that much. Life is no fun for you or the kitty if you're upset all the time and feel you're at the end of your rope. Again, good luck!

laureen227 · Jan 25, 2005

Originally Posted by hissy

One way to help a kitten or a cat burn off energy is to go to an appliance store and get a big empty cardboard box. Bring it home and cut some holes in it off the floor, big enough for the cat to jump through, and off the floor level. Cut the flaps off one end, set the box up and toss some ping pong balls inside. They play for hours in there, run themselves down and sleep afterwards. The balls stay inside the box, giving the kitty a play room where you really don't have to worry about them. Cutting multiple holes in the side of the box, gives the kitten an incentive to jump in and out and further expend the energy.

what a great idea! i'm going to have to try this... Cable's very energetic, too, even at 5 months! she bugs Pixel like there's no tomorrow, chases her toys all over - luckily she seems to entertain herself very well... i just have to occasionally throw something for her! but i am looking forward to a 'calmer, wiser, older' kitty... Pixel probably is, too!

marge · Jan 25, 2005

Originally Posted by jcat

Our Jamie literally did not sleep for 2 or 3 days at a time as a kitten, and was seen by specialists due to his hyperactivity, and put through all sorts of neurological tests. He still averages only 8 - 10 hours a day of sleep, which is very little for a cat his age (6 in April). We were advised to feed him very high-quality cat food with as little grain as possible, and no artificial preservatives, and told that the "magic number" was 18 months; before that age you really can't expect "perfect" behavior. A friend with a hyperactive child sent me all sorts of articles about avoiding soy (one about hyperactive dogs), and after doing so, I saw a marked improvement in Jamie's behavior. As he won't accept other cats, we've made sure that he has regular play sessions with our neighbors' dog, and lots of play with us ("chase" is wonderful, though it wears me out; a laser pointer is a good investment, too.). As to the nighttime terrors - Michele has given you some good tips. I'd also suggest feeding your cat right before you go to bed.
The behavior you're describing is nowhere near what we went through (have you ever seen a cat literally climb walls to catch a spider on a 9 ft. high ceiling, slide down the railing of a 3-storey spiral staircase, or empty a double kitchen cabinet of its contents? Not to mention make long-distance telephone calls or press the test button on a printer 50 to 100 times in one night), and also doesn't match the experiences of other people with truly hyperactive cats (the worst was a Persian; go figure: they're supposed to be couch potatoes) I met at clinics and through a self-help forum. I'd say you have a normal, rambunctious kitten, and her behavior will improve with age. Until then, you'll have to put away all breakables, and learn to completely sleep under the covers at night (and maybe try ear plugs). It's not that I don't sympathize with you, but what you're going through really fits into the "normal" category.

Jamie is the most unusual cat I have ever heard about. Wow, the printer thing is amazing. He is smart. Mine has figured out that if you turn the handle the door opens which blows my mind, he keeps pushing it.

kitkatmom · Jan 25, 2005

One thing that hasn't been mentioned is a possible medical problem causing the kitty discomfort. My cat long ago (RIP) Buzz, had wild behavioral problems at that age and finally the vet found a growth in his abdomen (benign) which nonethless caused him despair and apparently craziness...cus once excised, he calmed down remarkably. And lived to be 16....

truly violet · Jan 28, 2005

This could be my 18 month old neutered boy cat!!!!!!!!
We have his sister/litter mate a spayed female that is just a little doll.
But my Boy is a challenge.
he yesterday jumped up in my workbench and knocked over a shelving unit that he has been trying to attack for weeks now
he didn't get hurt but he did break alot of work.
There isn't any where to lock him up as our house is open plan.
He loves water and the water spray bottle, and he gets bored in about two minutes with the lazor pointer or the cat dancer. ( His sister can and does play with them for about an hour)
He loved it when he caught mice in the kitchen but we now have no more field mice so he truly is bored silly. He is an indoor cat. He has a three level cat tree and toys all over the place. We are at our wits end trying to keep this extremely smart and extremely bored cat happy.
When he is good he is very very good.........when he is bad......well.............
you all know the rest.
and the thing is.......he KNOWS he isn't allowed on the workbenchs......
we say NO.........he stops and turns around and goes RIGHT BACK.......
and nothing distracts him for long.
While he hasn't dialed the phone YET....... he does 'help' the printer and the fax, knows how to open the bathroom door from either side, and knows that when he steals something of ours.......to hide it in his sister's crate......
or her food dish, not his.
any ideas for this little (ha, little is a joke he is almost 15 pounds and reaches to the countertops when he stands on his hind legs) guy?
we can't afford the losses to my studio.
vi

juniper · Jan 29, 2005

She sounds a lot like Henry, he's very rambunctious and wild like that, too. The best thing I did was start putting him in the bathroom at night - at first, I didn't want to isolate him that way, but I was feeling a lot like you seem to be describing, frustrated and stressed out and just at the end of my rope with him, so finally I did. Since then, I've been able to get an uninterrupted sleep at night, and as a result I'm much less stressed out and more patient with him during the day - and he's fine in the bathroom, he has his bed, fresh water, and his litterbox. So my recommendation would be to isolate her at night, so you can have a rest from her antics and not be so stressed the next morning.

PLEASE HELP....Worse Kitty Ever!!!

hissy

TCS Member

rosiemac

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ilovecats

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noni

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jcat

Mo(w)gli's can opener

mom of franz

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navdoc

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portdevoix

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mrsjdv

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Thread starter

jen

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gotpersian

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laureen227

Darksome Duo!

marge

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kitkatmom

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truly violet

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juniper

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