I'm at my wit's end with my cat that's been in the family for over 8 years. She chews on everything! Furniture (wood and upholstered), clothes (bras, shoes, belts, purses), my daughter's toys, ELECTRICAL CORDS!!!!! Now everything but the latter is cosmetic and not worth getting rid of my beloved pet, but with the electrical cords it's a FIRE HAZZARD (even the cable guy told me so when I had to have them come out and fix it)! I've tried putting cayanne chili powder (mixed with vaseline) all over things, but to no avail (and I can't cover everything in the house with it, I have a toddler to lives in the house too). I would be less hesitent to give her away if I knew she'd be going to a safe and loving home, but she's such a b*tch (to everyone but me) that I know no one will want her and they'll just end up putting her down if I take her to the pound (the no-kill shelter won't take her). What should I do?
[Sorry, there was an issue with the last question, not the answers]
2006-11-18 17:39:53 · 13 answers · asked by aas_627 4 in Pets ➔ Cats
Obviously you love her to bits - so this must be very hard for you.
Firstly, before your child came along - did you spend more time with her than you do now?? If so, then it could be what I like to call " Naughty Kid Syndrome" - she feels that she isn't getting enough attention from you so thus is acting out - just like a naughty kid.
Secondly, are you making any play time for her (where it's just you and her) every day??
You can try giving her more attention by playing & loving her more frequently - when she acts out then, don't give her attention just ignore her - any attention even bad attention (by scolding her) could be what she's yearning for.
Try this for a week or so - treat her with her favourite treats when she behaves and let other family members join in -even your toddler.
If all this fails - take her to the vet for more professional advice - however, Rome wasn't built in a day - so this will take time, just try and be patient with her. I'm sure she'll come around - Good luck!
2006-11-18 19:31:59 · answer #1 · answered by alea_hc 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Only 2 reasons a cat goes outside the litterbox. 1. Health reasons. 2. Something about the box it doesn't like. You said cat is healthy so.... 1. Some cats need 2 litterboxes, 1 to urinate in, 1 to deficate in. 2. Type of litter-find a litter you like and stick with it, don't buy what is on sale-cats don't like that. May need a low or no scent litter. Some cats hate perfumed litter. If you have an air freshener near litterbox, remove it. 3. Scoopable litter is better than clay litter. 4. Scoop daily. 5. Toss litter once a week and wash box with mild dish soap. 6. Put "new-clean" litter back in. 7. If box is covered, remove lid. 8. If it's an electric box, get a standard box. 9. Do not feed your cat within 10 feet of litterbox. 10. Location of box-may need secluded, private area. Not near furnace, hot water heater, sump pump etc-noise will sometimes scare them. 11. Do not put cat in litterbox when you catch it going outside box. This will set you way back in getting it to go in box. It will view the box as punishment. 12. Never hit your cat for any reason, this should be a no-brainer. 13. Urinating and deficating is a natural thing and your cat will not have a clue why it is being punished. 14. You want to make the litterbox "appealing". Cats want to go in the box, it's what comes naturally. 15. Remember when treating areas on couch, when cat urinated on it, it looks like a quarter on top and a basketball on the bottom. So when you treat, you need to be sure and saturate thoroughly, you need to make sure it gets to all the same spots the urine want to. Put a plastic bag on the treated area for a day or two to give it a chance to work before it evaporates. 16. To be sure you have found "all" spots your cat went, buy a flourescent black light-will glow like crazy. Spraying your cat with a water bottle will not stop him from doing it. Neutering your cat will not make him use the litterbox, it will stop them from spraying which is territorial, this is usually on a door or wall. Again, making the litterbox appealing is what will help.
2016-05-22 02:32:25 · answer #2 · answered by Nedra 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
okay, first off its not the cat...its you. yes its you...didnt think you would hear that one did you....lol.
what i mean is, she loves you to death, but she is in control. she has a nervous problem, and its you. TO her, your like the child and she needs to protect you. Now dogs are like this...I honestly have never heard of a story where a cat has done it, but i dont see why not.
there has to be a ALPHA, a leader. when a animal is in control, the take on the responsibilties of a leader. So when you leave the house they lose control....well they lose control of you! you have left, they don't know why and they can't seem to stop you. so she is thinking "WHERE IS SHE!!!?" in turn she chews up everything in the house because she is worried.
DOGS do this all the time...lol.
this is why dogs bite strangers and relatives that come over, they feel its their protection to watch there owners (or children...lol) from others.
you said she is a B($%th to others and she has been in the family for 8 years...so to me, that kinda says alot about her. in 8 years i am sure you have poured so much LOVE on her, that she feels she is in control.
When we praise our animals to death..to them..well its like "they are king and you you are just pouring the affection any servant would" in turn they protect you from others...lol.
aren't animals funny...? well actually were the ones...lol.
if you send your cat to the pound...i tell you this..she will end up in a garbage can with all the other animals they put to sleep..its inevidable...too many cats out there, no one is going to take her.
and the no kill shelters no she is a alpha, thats why they won't take her.
I ask you this..would you get rid of your child if you couldnt control them..would you give them to a no kill shelter...of course not...and this IS your child..eight years is a long time to let a loved one go.
go to this site and read up on what i have explained to you. there are books, you can find it at your local library, or you can buy one.
cats are different than dogs, but all animals know the difference in love and whos in charge!
http://www.janfennellthedoglistener.com/
i recommend this book first "the dog listener"
dogs, cats..they all understand the same.
all you need to do it convince her that you are the leader...that all that stress isnt her problem anymore..then I think...I hope...she will stop chewing everything!
Goodluck
2006-11-18 17:59:48 · answer #3 · answered by vulcanism22 2 · 6⤊ 0⤋
Have you tried calling a Vets to ask them what you can do to make her stop chewing on things? You could also go to a good pet store and ask them what they sell to make her stop. You could also ask them if they know of any rescue shelters that could take her. Them she would be for sure given to a good home. She's probably just lonesome and wants a companion
2006-11-18 19:54:52 · answer #4 · answered by Countrygirl 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well, I guess you could try giving the cat a homeopathic remedy. Find a homeopathic vet and get recommendations from that kind of vet. You could also take a meditation class and learn to calm the energy in your house. Or give the cat a gentle herbel calming agent. Check with a vet first on that.
2006-11-18 18:23:52 · answer #5 · answered by Judy H 1 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I had some really remarkable success recently with a 'Feliway' spray.
http://www.feliway.com/
Our cat was clawing up the sofa, and flinging herself at the wall above the bed when lights from morning traffic started flickering -- great fun at 6am -- and that's all but stopped, and I only picked up the 'Feliway' a few days ago.
2006-11-19 02:24:06 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Have you tried to give her away? Maybe a farm with a heated shed or barn will be a good place to put her. 80% of cats that end up in shelters don't get out alive! I use to assist in the weekly euthinzing! Being 8 years old she'll likely not get adopted. Have you tried the bitter apple spray? I hear it works great.
2006-11-18 17:45:06 · answer #7 · answered by pharfly1 5 · 1⤊ 3⤋
Like I said - talk to your vet, if he doesn't know how to solve the problem he may be able to refer you to someone who can.
2006-11-18 17:42:47 · answer #8 · answered by triviatm 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
make her on outside cat. that way you get to keep her and see her when you please but she wont cause all the damage. after a few months you may want to try letting her in and maybe shell be cured. but if not just keep her as an outside cat.
2006-11-18 17:49:50 · answer #9 · answered by bugletti 1 · 0⤊ 3⤋
why don't you stop posting the same Question, you got enough answers from last time!
2006-11-18 17:42:04 · answer #10 · answered by duckcrazy39 2 · 0⤊ 3⤋