in need of feline help?

Question

I have a 1 year old cat. And he is neutered and declawed but has behavior problems. I am in a financial bind and I don't know what to do with him. I don't want to send him to the pound because I was told he would be put to sleep. does anyone have any suggestions??

he likes to chew on walls and drawers. And at times he nips us. my husband says it is because he is a kitten. But to me it is strange to see a cat chewing on walls and drawers

he uses his box and it is kept clean. I had him declawed because he kept scartching visitors and they threaten to sue because they claimed they were sick.

Answer 1

Forgive me if you have already tried these, but if you haven't, they just might work.
Try spraying the walls and drawers that he is prone to chewing on with Grannicks Bitter Apple Spray (can be found at pet supply stores, and sometimes the grocery store in the pet aisle). It tastes terrible, but it's safe, so it should at least curb some of the behaviors. You can also spray a small amount of it directly into his mouth while he is chewing on something bad, but you have to make sure you don't over do it or accidentally get it on his face or in his eyes.
To train him not to have these destructive behaviors, spray him with some water (from a small squirt gun, or a small spray bottle that has never had any chemicals in it), then ignore him for a little while. The bad behaviors need to be unpleasant for him.
Don't hit him or yell and scream, it will only make him angry/scared and lots of times cats aren't good at associating the yelling and stuff with the bad behavior and instead just associate it with you.
Pay lots of attention to him when he is being good, and play with him for at least an hour a day in case he is feeling ignored or bored, or in case he is taking his excess energy out on your house. Plus, having time to play with you and get attention from you will make him a happier cat, and that could fix some of the behavior problems on its own.
Until he is trained, keep him in a kennel when you are gone, or shut him in a cat-safe room like a small bathroom that doesn't have any chemicals or cleaners stored in it. Put a towel or blanket in the kennel for him to make him feel safe.
Also, if he just likes to chew, get him some things that he knows are okay to chew on. You should be able to find cat teething toys at the pet store that might work, but my kitten always preferred plastic straws (like the kind that come with sports bottles), an old rag with a knot tied in it, old stuffed animals, and mail order catalogs. Just make sure he knows these are his to chew on, and praise him when he chews on the good things instead of the bad.

Answer 2

By "behavior problems" do you mean not using the litter box?? First question, is the litter box being kept clean? Have you recently changed litters? Some cats don't like certain litters, and some cats don't like change, period. If those are not the case, and it is a relatively new problem, he could have a urinary problem either crystals irritating his urethra or a plain old urinary tract infection. Both of those can cause a cat to begin to "go" outside the box - either because of the pain of the crystal or because of the pain and burning and frequency of a UTI.
Know you said you are in a financial bind, but he needs to go to the vet. If you've had him neutered and declawed, then you have a history with a vet. Explain your $$$ predicament and ask if you can make payments over time to get him treated. Especially if they have worked with your cat before, but even if they haven't - a good vet is going to put the welfare of the animal first, and should be willing to spread the bill out into payments that fit your budget. Please take him in to be checked - cats are clean creatures and don't want to "go where they shouldn't." He's probably miserable. He deserves to feel better.

Answer 3

Behavioral problems don't usually break someone financially. Usually, some discipline is all you need to do. If you want to keep the cat, let us know what he's doing and maybe someone can help. If you really want rid of the cat, you can put him on the vet's bulletin board or petfinder.com. Not getting smart, but this is the exact reason you should NEVER declaw your cat. You never know what might happen to you and there they are declawed and at risk of ending up somewhere where they need their claws. I hope you find your kitty a good home. Good luck!

Yes, try the bitter apple on the walls. Also, try getting chew toys or a plain old cardboard box (my cats love to chew on them and play in them). As far as nipping at people, a small swat on the nose and NO will probably help that. I tell everyone(my dad HATES cats) if they don't like my cats, they are welcome not to come to my and their home. Spray bottles work wonders too with discipline problems. Please try some of these before you give him the boot. Good luck!

Answer 4

What kind of behavioural problems? If it can be resolved with medication, try pet insurance, taking out a loan, talk to your vet about payment plans, etc.
However, many such problems can be fixed with training. Google it, ask your vet about it, and you can probably fix the problem.
If you absolutely will not be responsible for your cat, try running an advertisement in the newspaper about your predigament. Some generour cat-lover may be willing to take on your kitty.

Please remember that you are this cat's parent and care-giver. It is admirable that you don't want to send him to the pound, please try to do what is best for him. After all, you wouldn't turn a child out of your house because they had behavioural problems, right?

Good luck!

Answer 5

You don't describe the behaviour, however, the problem no doubt stems from it's being mutilated. De-clawing a cat is monstrous and is outlawed in most of the civilised world. Neutering will ultimately make it more docile but many male cat's who have had their defences removed become biters.

Answer 6

You should desribe what kind of behavior problems he is having. Then we can go from there

Answer 7

I'd have behavior problems to if someone had taken all my nails of. Gross

Answer 8

Hi there...your kitty has a condition what is called PICA. Here's more about the disorder and how it is treated:
http://www.vmth.ucdavis.edu/home/beh/feline_behavior/pica.html

Pica: The Un-finicky Feline

Chewing or eating cords, fabric, houseplants, etc.


What is Pica?

Pica is the act of eating non-food items. In less serious cases, cats may chew or suck on objects, but not actually swallow them. Common targets include yarn or string, fabric, wool, phone or electric cords, and plants. Any object may be a potential target, however.


Why is Pica Dangerous?

Other than its destructive potential, pica can be extremely hazardous to your cat's health if non-food items are consumed. Ingested fabric, string, or other materials can lodge in your cat's stomach or intestine. The blockage prevents the passage of food and may cut off the blood supply to these organs. Both are life-threatening conditions. Cat's that chew on power cords may be electrocuted. Additionally, many common houseplants are toxic to cats; chewing or eating these plants can cause a wide range of symptoms from drooling to death. If your cat has a history of ingesting non-food items and becomes lethargic, vomits, or displays other concerning behavior, take them to your veterinarian immediately.


Why Does My Cat Eat/Chew on Non-food Items?

No one knows exactly why some cats exhibit pica behavior. Because pica has been associated with a variety of diseases including feline leukemia and feline immunodeficiency virus, a veterinarian should examine any cat with pica. A genetic component is also suspected since wool or fabric sucking/chewing is more commonly found in Oriental breeds such as Siamese cats. Although it is normal for cats to eat small amounts of grass, consumption of large amounts of plant material may be an indication of a dietary deficiency or illness. Once medical causes are ruled out, behavioral reasons for pica can include boredom, attention-seeking, attractive odors, hunger, and learned behavior.


Treatment:

To rule out medical causes, a veterinarian should examine all cats displaying pica. Once your veterinarian gives your cat a clean bill of health, discuss with them what steps you can take to modify your cat's behavior. These may include the following:


1) Remove targeted items - Placing clothing, blankets, houseplants and electric cords out of the reach of your cat is often the easiest solution. Storage containers, electric cord guards, and other useful items are available at most home supply stores.

2) Provide alternative items to chew or eat - Food-dispensing toys, durable cat toys, or pieces of rawhide can be used to redirect your cat's chewing behavior to more appropriate and safe items (see handout). For cats attracted to houseplants, small flowerpots of grass or catnip can be planted and kept indoors. Birdfeed can be used as a safe source of plant seed.

3) Provide lots of structured play - Many cats chew on household items out of boredom. Provide interactive toys and set aside time each day to play with your cat.

4) Increase dietary fiber - It may help to increase the amount of fiber in your cat's diet. Besides providing more dietary fiber, high fiber foods usually contain fewer calories. Your cat may be able to satisfy their craving to eat more while still maintaining their weight. Consult with your veterinarian before making any changes to your cat's diet.

5) Make targeted items aversive - Occasionally, applying aversive substances (e.g. hot sauce, Bitter Apple®, Bandguard®) to an item may deter a cat from chewing it. If this is not possible, spraying strong smelling substances (e.g. citrus air freshener, potpourri) or using physical deterrents (e.g. upside down carpet runner, Ssscat®, Snappy Trainers®) around an object may prevent cats from approaching.

6) Consult with a veterinary behaviorist - If your cat continues to ingest non-food items, referral to a veterinary behaviorist is recommended. Further environmental and behavior modification plans, specifically tailored to your pet, may be needed. In some cases, medication may be helpful.

Answer 9

have you checked with your vet about this and see what he recommends for the cat
thank you