How do you deal with bad cats?

Question

my boyfriend and i have a blackwhite cute and sweet but often bad cat. we don't know what to do anymore. we take him outside and buy him toys and take good care of him but he sprays everywhere and scratches us without reason. we have tried punishing him by putting him on a leash in the corner but he just goes to sleep and goes back to doing whatever when he is let off. we try yelling no when he's bad and he just runs and then continues. we've tried spraying him with waterbottle and he runs and goes right back. at ropes end we tried spanking him and spraying him all over with water but it didn't work either. it doesn't seem to matter if we are really nice to him or punish him he still acts up. books advice hasn't work. we don't want to get rid of him. we bought him from another owner and we don't know if he was abused or what but he is cute and affectionate when he's good it's just we can't get him to behave. we're afraid to have him neutered/declawed because of phantom pain. what works

Answer 1

Hi Jay...neutering isn't painful to cats at all. In fact the longer a cat continues to spray it will be harder to stop it even after he has been neutered because it has then become habitual.

Furthermore, reprimands of any sort unfortunately fails to help stop the behaviour because it is hormonal and what nature has intended for a male cat to do to attract female cats. Not only these, but also a cat will soon learn to fear their human family because they cannot control their urges.

Consider ringing a veterinarian to help educate yourselves more on neutering and it's benefits to your kitty. They can then at least answer all your questions and address any of your concerns. Not only that you would be hearing this from a licenced medical practitioner rather than just take any of our words.

If finances are of concern as well, most shelters will neuter for a very low fee or for free if you are considered low income. 1-800-Spay USA can help you locate a shelter which performs this procedure.

Here's a brochure by Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine of Feline Health: http://www.vet.cornell.edu/fhc/brochures/Housesoiling.html which explains all about why cats inappropriately soil the home. Your kitty fits under the category of urine spraying behaviours.

Urine Spraying
When your cat rubs against your leg with his face, or scratches his scratching post, he is also depositing his scent from the glands in his cheeks and paws. Another equally normal but less pleasant marking behavior is urine spraying--the deposition of small amounts of urine around a given area. Spraying announces a cat's presence, establishes or maintains territorial boundaries, and advertises sexual availability.

Cats usually spray on vertical surfaces, like the backs of chairs, or walls. They don't squat to spray (as they do to urinate), but the tail lifts and quivers, and small puddles of urine are left in several consistent locations. Cats that spray are usually unneutered males and, to a lesser extent, unspayed females, but 10% of neutered males and 5% of neutered females also spray. In households with more than seven cats, the likelihood of spraying is high.

Cats may spray when they perceive a threat to their territory, such as when a new cat enters the home, or when outside cats are nearby. New furniture and carpet smells can prompt spraying as well. Cats may also spray out of frustration resulting from factors—like restrictive diets, or insufficient playtime—often wrongly perceived by humans as revenge.

How can I stop my cat from spraying?
Because spraying is different than other types of house soiling, different tactics are necessary to manage it. First, because there are often hormonal components to spraying, any intact animal should be neutered or spayed. Next, identify the stimuli that cause your cat to spray. If outside cats are responsible, motion detectors that trigger sprinklers can be used to deter them from coming onto your property. Additionally, you can discourage your cat from looking outside by closing blinds or shades, or by placing double-sided tape or electronic mats that deliver mild shocks onto your windowsills.

Address possible sources of frustration that may be causing your cat to spray. For example, introduce a new diet gradually, or discontinue it until the spraying is under control. Increasing the amount of playtime for an under-stimulated cat may also help ease frustration.

Spraying can also result from territorial disputes between cats in the same household. They may need to be separated and reintroduced slowly, using food treats to reward and encourage peaceful behavior.

Applying odor neutralizers anywhere your cat has sprayed may prevent him from spraying there again. Another useful commercial product is Feliway®, a synthetic pheromone that, when applied to household surfaces, mimics the scent of cat cheek gland secretions. Many cats will not spray on areas that have this scent.

please see article for full details.

For more on Feline Neutering: http://www.marvistavet.com/html/body_neutering_the_male_cat.html

Answer 2

You don't actually describe the "bad" behavior other than spraying and scratching. All cats will do these things and an unneutered male cat will certainly spray.

Neutering will not give him "pain" that will remain with him for his whole life. Declawing can do that.

So the first step is the neutering which is essential. It will take a few weeks for the hormones to leave his system so a reversal of behavior will not be immediate and it will happen.

You have learned that punishment does not work with a cat. Most people don't train their dogs that way anymore either. It will be a long process to rehabilitate the cat and both of you to get the behavior you want and I hope you will do it.

Call tomorrow and make the appointment for his surgery. Get it done as fast as you can.

Try to relax a little about his behavior which won't be easy. Just remember what you put energy into INCREASES. So let things slide a little and focus on his positive qualities and other aspects of your life rather than his "problems".

Answer 3

Thank you for not going the route of delawing but neutering is really a good thing it::

-Spaying and neutering helps cats live longer, healthier lives.
-Neutering cats makes them less likely to spray and mark territory.
-Cats that are not neutered often exhibit more behavior and temperament problems

Before anything else we need to know for sure that the problem is spraying rather than urinating. If the cat is standing and the pee shoots straight back so that he/she is aiming high on the wall or side of the couch, it is spraying. If the cat squats while peeing, it is normal urination.

If the cat is peeing (not spraying) inappropriately, you need to get him or her to the vet ASAP. The #1 cause of inappropriate urination is urinary tract infections or blockages.

If the cat is spraying...he is marking his territory. Basically, he's saying this is my place, not yours! This can be a difficult habit to break but it is absolutely possible to do so.

1. Use Feliway to help him not want to spray. Feliway mimics the friendly marking that cats do when they rub their faces on things. When a cat smells a friendly scent, they are unlikely to mark with urine. The Feliway box will give detailed instructions on how to use it....follow the instructions carefully.

2. Hang aluminum foil on the places the cat likes to spray. Cats usually will not spray on foil because it makes an unpleasant sound when hit with the urine and it makes the urine splash back on the cat. Each day that the cat does not spray a strip of foil, tear about an inch off the bottom of the foil until the foil is completely gone. Don't remove the whole strip all at once because the cat may interpret this as you saying it is okay to spray here again.

3. If you see the cat getting into the spray position, yell "No!" and then grab him and put him in time-out (in the bathroom for example) for only 2-3 minutes. Do the same if you caught him in the act.

4. Check to see if there are stray cats hanging out outside your house. A cat will often spray in response to strange cats around the house. Make sure you don't walk through outside cat spray and track that smell into the house.

5. Be patient and persistent. Breaking the spraying habit han take a while, but it should work

The words discipline and cats should never be used in the same sentence. A cat does not respond to discipline in a positive learning fashion. Rubbing a cat's nose in a recent urine stain on your carpet is liable to get you either bit or scratched or start a resentment streak in your normally laid-back cat. Cats when restrained, even briefly will fight back vigorously. They have no way of knowing that they have displeased you. All they know is something bigger than they are is holding them against their will.

Cats need guidance, teaching tempered with love, and patience.
Instead, reach inside yourself and find the right solution and solve the problem that way. In the long run it is the best way to stay friends with your cat. He will thank you for taking the time to work out the problem, instead of creating more problems in the long run.

Also if he is a young cat - he is just exhibiting typical kitten behavior - they are just very very active.

Answer 4

Well I'm glad that despite of the way this animal is behaving you've decided not to get rid of it. I hate when at the first sign of trouble people just give up.

But as for spraying the animal with water and spanking him...that's a no no. You don't treat an animal like that. You wouldn't do it to a child so why to an animal? That might be the way he acts the way he does. How'd you like to get sprayed in the face or spanked for something that you didn't even understand was wrong?

But to face facts some cats just have issues...or at least I believe so. My cat, for example, is the sweetest animal on earth but only when I'm around. The minute anyone new comes along she hisses at them and tries attacking them. I would think this was normal behavior for a cat who's probably afraid of new people but most of the people she's come in contact with are around very often and I'm surprised that she hasn't adapted to them yet. So I just think she doesn't like other people. I'm not sure why but she just doesn't.

So for your cat maybe that's just they way he is. And most likely no amount of advice or punishment will help. Once an animal is set in their ways it is very difficult to change them. And if he was abused by the former owner maybe he's just been emotionally scarred...I don't really know but if this has been going on for as long as it has it might be best to just accept that is the way the cat is...

Sorry...

Answer 5

I hate to say this but what what you guys are doing is abusing him. You need to take him to the vet and have him neutered. This will stop spraying. Don't spray him with water, when you have to give him a bath, as indoor cats have to have them, he will be terrified of water and will think he is being punished! Don't be afraid to neuter him, I had cats my whole life and you would be doing him a favor by neutering him!!! Neutering him will make a good cat out of him! If you keep him indoors, declaw the fronts only at the same time as neutering. Please, neuter him. If you don't this can cause serious health issues, infections etc. Spraying is a natural thing so you must neuter him. I have a very sweet male cat right now just come by and love me up, yes, we had him neutered at 6 months old. There is no phantom pain, who ever told you that did not know what they were talking about. Help your cat, do it now, so he will be a good kitty, and not fear you, water, nor anything else. All my male cats have been neutered as the females have been spayed as well. It is a healthy thing to do!!!! I am 51 years old, had cats my whole life. Be responsibile, neuter your cat!

Answer 6

Having your cat neutered should eliminate a lot of the behaviors you've described, including spraying in the house. You say you "take him outside," which indicates to me that he's an indoor cat. Believe me, a male cat who is not "fixed" will be unhappy indoors.

Remember that what we perceive as "bad" behavior is often quite natural and normal for a cat. They cannot be "controlled" as dogs can. (Have you ever heard of Cat Obedience Training Classes?) Often, cats will not respond to the same techniques that are effective with dogs. However, it is possible to work with cats and bring about an improvement in their behaviors.

Do talk to your vet about neutering. I don't think there is any "phantom" pain involved. The procedure helps male cats to settle down and become more docile. As they get older, most become even more mellow and calm.

Neutering also reduces the number of unwanted pets. Nothing is cuter than a cuddly newborn kitten or a plump puppy, but many of these sweet animals are neglected or abandoned later. Sadly, some are left to fend for themselves and die of illness, disease accidents, or starvation.

Speak to your vet about declawing, as well. Many do not advocate this. Perhaps your vet can give you some good pointers on behavior modification techniques that will work.

Good luck!

Answer 7

Okay, getting him neutered shouldn't give him any problems. It will actually help him calm down some. I wouldn't get him declawed because if he goes outside (even inside cats escape sometimes) he will need to be able to defend himself. I have two cats right now, both neutered and they both calmed down some after the neutering, but not enough that it changed their personalities at all. Now, for training, it sounds cruel and unusual, but have you tried flicking him with rubber bands. Seriously, it works. That's how I got both my cats (plus another one that I had before) to stop scratching on my doorframes, in the corner of the carpet and all sorts of other things they weren't supposed to do. It only took 2-3 times before all I had to do was stretch it between my fingers and make it twang to get their attention. Now I don't have any problems with them ever. I hope it works.

Answer 8

When he sprays urine or scratches the furniture he is marking his territory, he isn't being bad he is being a cat. You can get him declawed I know that sounds horrible but you don't want to keep replacing your furniture do you? and as for the spraying urine he should be neutered it may have already become a habit if so so to your local pet store and ask for a spray called urine be gone.It will remove the smell from off of your furniture.
there are also sprays that will keep your cat from respraying try a spray that had an orange sent, cats hate the smell of oranges. Good luck!

Answer 9

hmmm, that's a hard one, when a cat acts bad, it is usually seeking attention, but you seem to be giving it just that. It may also be because the cat has been taught that it was OK to be like that. the why to deal with this is by going to the vet, there may be some hormonal problems. you say that it can be good, so just give it allot of attention do not provoke it, and keep on loving it.

Answer 10

if hes spraying your house there is no stopping him your only choice in that matter is to get him neutered, and i completely agree with you on the de-clawing thing, did you kno that the also cut off the cats thumbs when they de-claw them? and can u imagine the pain btw my cat sprays too, but he stays outside so it doesn't bother me, there are many other advantages to outdoor cats, first of all no litter boxes.

Answer 11

What phantom pain. we have had cats in the house for 35 yr. all have been neutered and declawed. none ever acted like they were having any pain from it