Have 5- want NONE. Please help, they used to be so wonderful!

Hi all,

*sigh* This is such a huge problem. We *had* two adult cats... they multiplied, now we also have 3 kittens. They were so sweet and loving and obedient at first, and they all got along! Now I can't stand the site of them... and oh how I hate to say that.

My precious little kitties have turned into mean, hateful, destructive monsters and I just can't do this anymore. My husband and I just moved into our first home shortly before the kittens came along. The big cats loved all the space and immediately found their favorite rooms. Besides occasional fighting, they got along great and were pleasant cats. Then the kittens came, and started getting bigger. Now they are destroying our new home... We can't even keep toilet paper on the roll in the bathroom, we have to keep it locked in a cabinet so they won't shred it all over the house. (SO inconvenient when you need to go..) My husband can't get me flowers anymore because wherever we place them, they knock them over and ruin whatever is underneath them (the first victim was our brand new tv... boy we learned our lesson)

They have started knocking down and destroying books from our bookshelf, destroying our clothes and using the WHOLE house as a littler box.

What's worse.. I'm pregnant. I just don't have the energy to keep the house clean and chase after 5 cats all day... I spend all day cleaning up after them- broken glass, confettied toilet paper, poop... and I can't make time to do the rest of my daily cleaning.. ugh. I need help. We know we probably have to.. but we don't want to get rid of them if we can think of other options.

Please... I need suggestions.. anything, we are so desperate. I used to adore cats.. but now I think I hate mine.

I'm just the first of what will surely be a chorus of voices asking this question: are your cats spayed/neutered? Unaltered cats can be very hard to live with...fighting, spraying, etc. Frankly, not altering your cats is what got you into this situation to begin with, and isn't their fault.

If they are not altered, all five of them, then that's where you need to start.

Good luck.

I'm sorry but you did this to yourself, by not getting the adult cats spayed....it happens.....some soft music, a nice meal, and a bunch of licks....and ta da..... kittens.........

These are kittens this is how they are....if you were not prepared for this, then you really should not have let it get to this point..............its not their fault...you are the "responsible" human in this relationship...

as for a suggestion....well you could try "Feliway" plug-ins...they emit pheramones(sp?) that will calm your cats.....also spaying and nuetering the whole bunch, will also help........

Originally Posted by clixpix

I'm just the first of what will surely be a chorus of voices asking this question: are your cats spayed/neutered? Unaltered cats can be very hard to live with...fighting, spraying, etc. Frankly, not altering your cats is what got you into this situation to begin with, and isn't their fault.

If they are not altered, all five of them, then that's where you need to start.

Good luck.

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I would agree with this, and would also add that its possible your new home simply isn't enough room for five kitties. Cats are very territorial creatures, and like to have some space thats "theirs"--if there's not enough room to go around, and they feel like they're all living on top of each other, that can cause agression and destructive behavior.
Also, cats are very intuitive. I'm sure they can sense your frustration and negativity towards them.
Make sure they have enough toys so that they can take their agressive play behaviors out on something other than you or your furniture--esp. important for the younger guys.

First step: get everybody neutered and/or spayed. If cost is an issue search the 'net for low-cost clinics in your area, or PM me, and I can get you names of some near you.

Second step: wait it out, and see if the behavior improves. If not, you should consider re-homing a few of the guys.

Hang in there, I have only two cats and there are days where their antics make me want to ship them off to Abu Dhabi, but luckily for them they are cute and (some of the time) generally well-behaved.

I agree with Kelly - spay and neuter everyone. What you're describing sounds like normal kitten behaviour. Just like toddlers, they get into everything, knock things over and generally play, play play. Do they have toys of their own? They could be bored.

As for not using the litter box, how many do you have? are they in a quiet area? Are any of the cats ambushing the others as they come out of the box?

Please read this these threads:

http://www.thecatsite.com/forums/sho...threadid=19767
http://www.thecatsite.com/forums/sho...&threadid=9563

I can sympathise -- and you're probably feeling even more tired and overwhelmed because you're pregnant. It sounds like normal kitten antics, and they need a lot of exercise, which takes a toll on the house. Can you play with them? Get them to chase a wand toy until they are worn out? Do they have a safe outdoor area or rooms they can play, chase and climb in?

Get them neutered right away. Even so, our 2 cats, jumped on to a high cabinet and smashed a crystal vase we've had for many years. Oh, and a piece of pottery made by my best friend...oh well, that's the joy of cats. We are in a new home too and I'd like to show off some nice things, but I figure that's the price of having the kitties. We keep the bathroom door closed so they don't trash it; otherwise, we put the good stuff out of reach.

Why don't you try to adopt out the kittens? Then spay and neuter the adults.

First of all don't hate your kittens. It is not their fault that you did not get the momcat spayed or the tom neutered. They are in your life because of YOUR actions, not theirs. Get all your cats fixed pronto. Chances are good, you already have a female pregnant again.

They sound like normal kittens. If you are projecting negative energy towards them, yelling, going wherever your frustration level is taking you, you are adding to the problem. They will continue to act out, especially if they sense your stress level.

Let me ask you- what are you going to do when the baby comes? When a curious kitten, innocently runs across of sleeping baby in the crib- what are you going to do?

My suggestion is find a place to rehome these kittens. It sounds to me like you are not cut out to be a multiple cat owner, and there is no shame in that. You need to have patience to put up with what I call Kitty Komakazee Kamp, and it sounds like your patience is worn out, So before these kittens suffer anymore- advertise for homes for them. Call the local vets and let the girls know you have 3 kittens up for adoption. And charge for them to be adopted out- at least $10.00 assures you they won't end up as snake food or worse.


If you don't get them fixed, and or rehomed, pretty soon your 3 kittens are going to be 10 or 15 and what then?

I agree spay & neuter the two adults & the kittens depending on their age. 5 cats is a lot especially with a baby on the way. What about rehomeing the kittens & keeping the 2 adults.

I have been where you are now. I adopted a cat that ended up giving me three babies...and they are beautiful. Now, they are demonic little hellcats! And I too, am pregnant. I just had to take different approaches with each cats personality. I also have gotten all of them spayed/neutered, except for Haylee because she doesnt weigh enough. As soon as she does, shes the last one.

I would start by getting them neutered and/or spayed. A lot of the problem could be a territory issue. Secondly, they are kittens. They play with anything that moves. And thats their nature. I have come home to find that they had managed to shred paper towels off of the paper towel holder, they knock things over, they chew my artificial flower arrangements, they eat my bread if I leave it where they can get it. So, I started to be more proactive. I put the bread in the microwave so they cant chew it. I moved the paper towels, and when I am home, and I see them messing with it, or on the counters period, I spray them with a squirt gun...9 times out of 10, I miss, but the mere thought that it "might" touch them, makes them run...now, after about 2 weeks of reinforcing that, they stay off of the counters. It just takes patience, which is something you are lacking now, because youre pregnant.
When it comes to the litterbox, there may be issues with them not sure where to go. I have 3 litterboxes, and they are in each bathroom, in a corner, where they can look out the front and see whats coming. They are up against a wall, and therefore, they cant be ambushed from the back. It works, we have rare accidents.
Once the kittens get a little older, the destructive phase should pass. Try to invest in some toys and play things for them that they can play with that should help distract them from everything else.
I have discovered that kittens are like toddlers...they are in to everything! Hang in there, and if you cant handle it, try to find them homes. A lot of your frustration is hormones...trust me....I have been there.

First, please allow me to say congratulations on your pregnancy. Expecting a little baby can be a wonderful experience, but try to remember that hormones and other changes do affect our perception of things emotionally. You don't really hate your cats, I think you are probably just horribly frustrated with the situation and perhaps the changes going on within you now are allowing you to feel resentful. It sounds like you are overwhelmed and tired of cleaning up the messes. I can relate. I breed Old-Style Siamese and I currently have a very active litter of four 6 week old kittens bouncing around everywhere, getting into everything and making the biggest messes all over my house. Their claws are razor-sharp at the moment and one of the little boys had a bit of a temper tantrum the other night ... there are now 5 stitches in my chin. I also have deep scratches on my cheeks and through my eyebrow. My face alone is a shining endorsement for spay/neuter. *grin*

Because I choose to breed my cats, my house is best described as "spartan". I don't have pretty little dustcatchers on the mantle. There are no lush, green houseplants. All of the electrical outlets are plugged up with child-proof covers. The cabinets and drawers are secured as well. There are cat toys and kitty condos instead of pretty living room furniture. My carpets ... well, let's just say, they are going out of here next. There are ALWAYS little dry cat food pieces on the floor near the bowl. Water gets spilled and litter NEVER EVER stays in the box. Oh, and my philosophy is that no outfit is complete unless it carries a little cat fur. Absolutely nothing is sacred here. The cats will find it and destroy it. But, these are just some of the things one must consider when choosing to share one's home with cats, especially kittens. They are naturally curious and brazen when exploring. They ACT LIKE CATS.

I am of the opinion that you chose to allow your cats to breed and so you also chose to accept responsibility for the consequences. You need to live up to your obligation to care for the lives you allowed to be born. In order to restore some balance, you will have to rethink how your home is set up. Make it easier for you but still hospitable to the cats. If you don't like them in the bookcase, then limit their access to it. You can designate a room (or rooms) in your home where you are comfortable allowing them to reside. Remove anything and everything you do not want destroyed. Provide toys and scratching posts, soft, warm bedding and plenty of food and fresh water along with enough litter trays to accomodate 5 cats. Visit with them and spend good quality time with them every day. Playing soft music in the room and investing in the Feliway diffuser can't hurt.

I hope you will be able to find a peaceful solution for your problem. If I can be of further assistance or encouragement, don't hesitate to let me know.

Yours from the heart,

~gf~

i agree that they should be fixed, and know that accidents do happen. not everyone has a vet that will fix earlier than 6 months, and they can go into heat as early as 4. it is perfectly human to be frustrated, and i know that you do not hate your cats, as you are actually asking for help rather than tossing them into some bushes somewhere.

i am surprised that in the middle of piling on the guilt trips for a situation we know minimal info on, almost no one has mentioned toxoplasmosis or addressed any of the problems besides spay/neuter that are causing your frustration. can someone else take up the task of constantly picking up the feces? if not, please be careful with that. wear gloves and sanitize your hands well afterwards.


here is some info that can help with the litterbox issue.

http://www.perfectpaws.com/litter.html

http://www.thecatsite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=9563

I'm going to assume you already know that your first action should be to spay/neuter every one of the cats in your house.

The next thing you need to do is accept the fact that kittens (and puppies), just like children, are young and can be destructive and wild. They do, however, grow up eventually and will STOP being destructive if they have been gently trained.

There's a great book you need to read called "Think Like a Cat" by Pam Johnson-Bennett. Also, since you're pregnant, you shouldn't be doing litterbox duty, you did know that, right?

Hope things get better for you.

Originally Posted by CommonOddity042

i am surprised that in the middle of piling on the guilt trips for a situation we know minimal info on, almost no one has mentioned toxoplasmosis or addressed any of the problems besides spay/neuter that are causing your frustration. can someone else take up the task of constantly picking up the feces? if not, please be careful with that. wear gloves and sanitize your hands well afterwards.

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I respectfully disagree. Several people have given excellent advice on increasing the number of boxes, providing toys, etc, along with the s/n suggestion. Questions were asked, and honest, frank answers were given.

And not one person mentioned statement that "they had been sweet, loving and OBEDIENT"

Not sure if anyone mentioned this, but do your cats have toys and scratching posts? Mine do, and we really don't have a problem w/scratching. Don't forget, one litter box per cat plus one!

Sorry to tell you this, but I think most cats will get into flowers and a lot of them are harmful to cats. I gave up the flower thing b/c they are GUARANTEED to be destroyed. When I first got Zakk my husband gave azaleas. Next day I realized they were destroyed, then thought to check if they were harmful- YUP. I don't think he ate any but I read up on it and gave him some vegatable oil to help w/ digestion. Luckily all was well.

With 12 cats, my husband gives me rose bushes to plant in the garden, and if we put them in a vase inside, it's with wedged between something on the kitchen counter where if they spill it, it won't damage anything. Knicknacks are tucked away in a glass enclosed china cabinet.

You will need to kid proof your home in the very near future. With 5 cats, you have to cat-proof your house now. Kittens are wild, particularly 3 of them at once. Give them tall cat condo's to climb on and if they are something you don't want them on, redirect them to the condo. Get a long wand and play with them when you are sitting down and resting. Give them a big box to play in or put ping-pong balls in the bathtub. Keeping them active will help prevent them from being destructive.

Congratulations on your pregnancy!

Originally Posted by CommonOddity042

i am surprised that in the middle of piling on the guilt trips for a situation we know minimal info on, almost no one has mentioned toxoplasmosis or addressed any of the problems besides spay/neuter that are causing your frustration. can someone else take up the task of constantly picking up the feces? if not, please be careful with that. wear gloves and sanitize your hands well afterwards.

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In order to get toxoplasmosis from cats, three conditions must be in place:

1. The cat must actually have toxoplasmosis. The vast majority of cats do not have it. You can have your cat tested for it if you want.

2. The cat's feces must have been out for at least 48 hours

3. You actually have to ingest it. Yes, that means literally eating cat poop. And not just any cat poop, but poop that was pooped at least 48 hours ago.

So unless someone is practicing colossally bad hygiene, one need not worry about getting toxoplasmosis from a litterbox. Anyone with any sense at all knows to wash hands with soap and water after handling feces, toxoplasmosis or not. And this is all that is needed to prevent transmission of the oocysts.

What one does need to worry about, though, is getting toxoplasmosis from eating undercooked meat. This is by far the most common way that people get toxoplasmosis.

Originally Posted by semiferal

In order to get toxoplasmosis from cats, three conditions must be in place:

1. The cat must actually have toxoplasmosis. The vast majority of cats do not have it. You can have your cat tested for it if you want.

2. The cat's feces must have been out for at least 48 hours

3. You actually have to ingest it. Yes, that means literally eating cat poop. And not just any cat poop, but poop that was pooped at least 48 hours ago.

So unless someone is practicing colossally bad hygiene, one need not worry about getting toxoplasmosis from a litterbox. Anyone with any sense at all knows to wash hands with soap and water after handling feces, toxoplasmosis or not. And this is all that is needed to prevent transmission of the oocysts.

What one does need to worry about, though, is getting toxoplasmosis from eating undercooked meat. This is by far the most common way that people get toxoplasmosis.

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also to add to this...it must be the cats first exposure....while the human is preggers.....

it also has to be the humans first exposure.........

its more likly to get it from handling raw meat or gardening....

i would like to comment on the toxoplasmosis issue, as there are some inaccuracies in what has been posted --

1) yes, unless your cats have been exposed somehow, it is unlikely that they have toxo. UNLESS they have been outside, and then the chances that they may have it is greater.
2) i am not sure about the time frame
3) yes you have to ingest it. BUT remember that toxoplasma gondii is the parasite that causes toxoplasmosis. it is very microscopic and can be anywhere on the cat faces. inadvertently touching the feces or the litter and then touching your mouth (or food, or plates, whatever you can think of) can trasmit toxo to you. it's not eating cat poop, that is inaccurate. you can acquire the parasite by touch.

a vast population of people in the US have toxoplasmosis and don't even know it. why? because it doesn't affect your immune system unless it is compromised, that is, unless you have AIDS, diabetes, or other immune-compromising disease. without such diseases, toxoplasmosis has no effect on the normal person whatsoever. it is a special case in pregnant females because they can transmit the parasite to their fetus and cause congenital birth defects (including brain defects). doctors recommend that pregnant woman not handle the litterbox, or if they do to wear gloves and sanitize their hands immediately afterwards.

toxoplasmosis isn't something that you normally have to worry about, unless you are immune-compromised or pregnant. of course, you don't want to get infected in any case, so do practice good hygiene.