Since my cat and I moved into a new apartment, she has been wilder than usual. I'm guessing it's because it's larger than my old one and new territory for her to explore. I am upset, though, because she's getting on my countertops, dining room table, and other things she used to ignore. It's unsanitary and a quite frankly a PITA when I clean everything off only to have her on it again. I've read discipline articles (and the one on this site) that say you can't teach them by spraying water, telling them no. I know this doesn't work, but is there anything I can do?? I'm really not happy with her - she doesn't understand why, and it's frustrating to us both. It's been about a month since moving, and she's still acting up. I tried a keep off spray for the leather chair, even put shoe polish on it, to keep her from biting holes in it. She ended up basically ruining it - I let it go, tho I was very upset since it was a gift from my parents. I will NOT have her climbing on cooking and eating areas or destroying anything else. I'm a college student who can't afford new stuff all the time. Are there any keep-off sprays that will work? I've heard they don't like citrus scent - I have a citrus spray, but I'm not sure where it ended up from the moving process. What can I do? I'm at my wit's end with this cat...
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Keeping Things Off Limits
- Thread starter maiseycat
- Start Date
She's not acting up, sounds to me like she's being a normal cat!
Seriously though, does she have any surfaces or things which she is allowed to climb on? A cat won't just sit on the floor and look cute, it's natural instinct is to climb, and they love high places. Do you have any cat trees? How about putting up some shelves for her to climb on? Is she allowed on any of the chairs? If not, how about buying a cheap old chair especially for her, one that she can scratch and ruin to her hearts content!
How old is she? Have you though about getting her a playmate, maybe she's bored. Has she got enough toys to keep her occupied? Do you play with her for at least 20 minutes every day?
Personally I knew when I got my cats that they would be into everything, and on top of everything and there was a risk that they would scratch things. It's part of owning a cat I'm afraid!
Seriously though, does she have any surfaces or things which she is allowed to climb on? A cat won't just sit on the floor and look cute, it's natural instinct is to climb, and they love high places. Do you have any cat trees? How about putting up some shelves for her to climb on? Is she allowed on any of the chairs? If not, how about buying a cheap old chair especially for her, one that she can scratch and ruin to her hearts content!
How old is she? Have you though about getting her a playmate, maybe she's bored. Has she got enough toys to keep her occupied? Do you play with her for at least 20 minutes every day?
Personally I knew when I got my cats that they would be into everything, and on top of everything and there was a risk that they would scratch things. It's part of owning a cat I'm afraid!
Several suggestions/They have scat mats which let out a beeb when the cat jumps on them. I bought mine at Dr. Fosters & Smith.
They also have "bump Mats" that have semi-sharp little nobs that make it uncomfortable for the cat to walk on.
I wouldnt use any sprays in a smaller apartment indoors. You dont want the cat to get mental problems from having to smell something irratating all the time. IF you had a large house Id say go for it but in a small apartment prob not a good idea. You also have to be careful because alot of those sprays are only designed for OUTSIDE useage.
My final suggestion: It is must less stressfull to just let it go. Its very hard to train cats and the faster you can accept a cat on the counter the faster your stress wll go down. My cats crawl all over the table and coutners and usally sit on the table watching me eat. I Have never gotten sick from them. If you keep your litter box clean your cat should be clean.
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #4
Seriously though, does she have any surfaces or things which she is allowed to climb on? A cat won't just sit on the floor and look cute, it's natural instinct is to climb, and they love high places. Do you have any cat trees? How about putting up some shelves for her to climb on? Is she allowed on any of the chairs? If not, how about buying a cheap old chair especially for her, one that she can scratch and ruin to her hearts content!
She's allowed on everything, bed, coffee table, couch, bookshelf, etc. I just don't want her in the kitchen area. That's tough because it is an open area with tile floor that she likes to scamper on. I got her a carpeted scratching post, a cat-nip scented one with a ball and spring on top when she started scratching on the couch. She didn't like it at all! I ended up giving it to my grandma for her cats and getting Maisey de-clawed. The main problem is the litter that she tracks everywhere.
How old is she? Have you though about getting her a playmate, maybe she's bored. Has she got enough toys to keep her occupied? Do you play with her for at least 20 minutes every day?
She's three. She has lots of toys, but she doesn't seem to be as interested in them anymore. I've tried to get her to play with me, but she's usually not interested. I have to get her string toy (it's stored in my parents' house somewhere) because she loves that.
Personally I knew when I got my cats that they would be into everything, and on top of everything and there was a risk that they would scratch things. It's part of owning a cat I'm afraid!
I didn't look to get a cat when I moved out on my own. She came to me and I ended up keeping her because I grew attached and couldn't take her to a shelter. I wasn't prepared, though. I would've gotten "cat-proof" stuff that I didn't care about or stuff that damage wouldn't show on as much. My parents offered to take her and keep her in their basement (it's large with old furniture and stuff), but I don't think I could bear to give her up at this point. I love her, but don't love her bad habits.
She's allowed on everything, bed, coffee table, couch, bookshelf, etc. I just don't want her in the kitchen area. That's tough because it is an open area with tile floor that she likes to scamper on. I got her a carpeted scratching post, a cat-nip scented one with a ball and spring on top when she started scratching on the couch. She didn't like it at all! I ended up giving it to my grandma for her cats and getting Maisey de-clawed. The main problem is the litter that she tracks everywhere.
How old is she? Have you though about getting her a playmate, maybe she's bored. Has she got enough toys to keep her occupied? Do you play with her for at least 20 minutes every day?
She's three. She has lots of toys, but she doesn't seem to be as interested in them anymore. I've tried to get her to play with me, but she's usually not interested. I have to get her string toy (it's stored in my parents' house somewhere) because she loves that.
Personally I knew when I got my cats that they would be into everything, and on top of everything and there was a risk that they would scratch things. It's part of owning a cat I'm afraid!
I didn't look to get a cat when I moved out on my own. She came to me and I ended up keeping her because I grew attached and couldn't take her to a shelter. I wasn't prepared, though. I would've gotten "cat-proof" stuff that I didn't care about or stuff that damage wouldn't show on as much. My parents offered to take her and keep her in their basement (it's large with old furniture and stuff), but I don't think I could bear to give her up at this point. I love her, but don't love her bad habits.
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- #5
Several suggestions/They have scat mats which let out a beeb when the cat jumps on them. I bought mine at Dr. Fosters & Smith.
Are these expensive? I've never heard of the store you mentioned. Are they a pretty common thing? I don't go to pet stores very much so I've not heard of them..
They also have "bump Mats" that have semi-sharp little nobs that make it uncomfortable for the cat to walk on.
Interesting. I've tried double-sided masking tape, but she doesn't seem phased by that. Guess I need something made for cats. So, will the cat learn to stay off the counters eventually, or do you have to leave the stuff on there all the time?
Thanks, you guys!
Are these expensive? I've never heard of the store you mentioned. Are they a pretty common thing? I don't go to pet stores very much so I've not heard of them..
They also have "bump Mats" that have semi-sharp little nobs that make it uncomfortable for the cat to walk on.
Interesting. I've tried double-sided masking tape, but she doesn't seem phased by that. Guess I need something made for cats. So, will the cat learn to stay off the counters eventually, or do you have to leave the stuff on there all the time?
Thanks, you guys!
