kitty problems?

Question

my kitty is 10 months old and has been kinda a pain in the ***. she gets into stuff and doesnt learn when she is punished for doing something, like jumping up on the counter, we spray her with water, she jumps down, next day she jumps up on the counter. stuff like that, we are consistant with her but notheing really seems to be getting any better. but the biggest problem is now that she has been peeing on our stuff, on book bags, in shoes, even on shower curtains. is the all a phase or is she just a naturally naughty kitty?

Answer 1

Ah, yes, the terrible teens. She's a teenager and like so many teenagers, is testing herself and you. She's strong enough to spring up to high places (that she couldn't get to when she was a baby) and has more ongoing energy that she needs to expend. Out in the wild she'd be honing her hunting skills (and taking out lots of mice and, unfortunately, birds), learning how to escape bigger creatures trying to kill her, etc. My cat used to dig all the dirt out of all the potted plants then pee on the plants (marking them)--and he was neutered at 4 months (he was big and heavy enough). Her curiosity is at it's peek and she's seeing how far she can take everything before she gets into serious trouble. It's natural (and I always (empty) threaten that if they don't grow out of this stage fast they ain't gonna make it to adulthood). You need to out-think her, make sure harmful things are locked away for the time being so she cannot hurt herself (or break something that is going to cause serious waves in the household), find ways to deter her from doing things. Put all your clothes in drawers and closets so she can't get to them. And discipline and teach her what "NO" means, be firm but don't hurt her. She will outgrow it and if she's learned what the house rules are, she'll be an ideal adult but it's up to you to teach her now. Keep her claws clipped short so she can do as little damage as possible, if she's tearing up the place when no one is around to keep an eye on her, keep her in only certain "cat proof" rooms when you leave her alone; when you are home, keep her in the rooms you are using so you can keep the eye on her and stop her from peeing (and other things) on stuff. The rest of the family may have to keep their bedroom and bathroom doors closed for a few months until she gets over this stage. It was at this stage that I start teaching my cats "tricks"--useful ones like sit, stay, NO, come, do the laundry, wash the car (ok, maybe not the last 2 things) because they are receptive and need something to occupy their minds. Make sure you play a lot with her to tire her out and to strengthen your relationship (if she doesn't know how yet, teach her to fetch something--mine likes hair elastics and fabric headbands but also the plastic pull-rings off milk jugs).

Answer 2

Cats are smarter then people think. You can train your cat and your cat probably knows she's being bad at the moment but it's not sticking yet, she's still a baby, they do get better with time. 10 months, you need to get her fixed pronto, some of the peeing might be from being in heat, they like to have their scent around. I have 4 siblings all age 2 1/2, they were a handful I tell you. One is ADHD, he's gotton better with age though. You have to really enforce the no and associate it with the behavior. Some cats do like water so the sprayer isn't doing the job. I would say no really loud when you catch her in bad habits. when you find the pee soaked item, bring your cat in, let it sniff it, say NO. Don't leave things on the floor and limit her access to places so she doesn't have many choices until she learns the litterbox is the place to go. when you clean anything up, take the rag or papertowel with her scent on it and put it in the litter box. rub real lemon on the area she peed, that deters cats pretty good. It might be the kind of litter you are buying, she doesn't like it too, try some different kinds, some cats like paper shreds, others clay, others the sandy like kind. Mine like either paper shreds (so I never leave anything paper on the floor now) or the sandy kind. I have 1 covered box, 1 large dog sized litter box, and 1 smaller one and keep them clean. IF the box isn't clean, the cat won't go there. It helps if when she is fixed you limit her to a small room with the box in it, that's the choice place to pee then. For the counters, have something up there very repulsive to them, I find lemon scented baby wipes (they are pet friendly so if it gets on the paws and they wash them it's ok) are a great repellent. I wipe down the counters with them and would leave the wipes out there on the counter too. There is no cat that likes the smell of those Wet Ones lol.

Answer 3

I'm with Sir'sLady: Your kitty probably does need to be spayed. While you're at it, make sure she has no other health problems.

At 10 months old, a cat is still very much an active kitten. And you do seem to have a mischievous one. She probably knows the rules all right, but like human kids is pushing the limits. Try adding a few yells. My younger cats do still jump on the counter some when they think I'm not watching, but they've gotten pretty good about stayind down otherwise.

As for the peeing problems, you may have to close her in a room with her litter box when you aren't well able to monitor her. And meanwhile find storage for your other things that she can't get at.

Good luck.

Answer 4

I feel your pain. I have a 10 month old male. He is also very bad, but he doesn't pee. I have 5 other cats who are a good bit
older than he is, but they were NEVER this bad.
Definitely spay. That will help alot.
As for the peeing, try keeping her in a small space with a litter box. Keep it very clean.
Do you have other cats? Some cats just do not do well with others and she may not want to share her litter box.
Since you are having so many different behavior problems,
research as much as you can. Read online, get a book on cats.
I hope you can stick out a little longer until you find something that works.

Answer 5

She probably needs to be spayed. This will cure almost all her problems. She is probably going into heat and acting crazy and driving you crazy along with spraying all over. This should cure about 90% of her behavioral problems. It is not that expensive, and is a fairly simple surgery.

For the counter: The biggest thing is not to give her a reason to go on the counter. If there's open butter or meat on the counter, she'll go for it. Put her food away from the counter, make sure she has fresh water, keep spraying her, and remove stuff she will want to get at.

The peeing all over: Make sure she has a nice big litter box, preferably a covered one. (most cats prefer these, but on occasion a cat won't like them. get a cover and take it off if she dislikes is) Also make sure she has a very clean litter box that is easily available. If she is throwing up or has diarreah and is acting funny call your vet. She also may need a litter switch. If none of these (including spaying) helps, you may need to confine her to a tiled room for awhile until she learns to go in the litter box. Also, make sure wherever she goes to the bathroom is thoroughly cleaned. If she smells urine on something her brain will tell her to go there again. Scrub it very thourough (if you can, wash it) and then you may want to spray it with febreeze and air it out.

Hope she gets better. Cats have their frustrating moments but they are worth it!

Answer 6

First off, you have a baby. What baby do you know that listens the first time?

For the peeing, she needs to be spayed. She is starting to mark her teritory and this will not stop if you do not get her spayed.

For the counter, keep up with the water bottle, but also try double-sided tape. Put the tape on the edges of the counter. Your kitty will not like the feel of it when she jumps up. Also make a loud noise to startle her when she does this and speak the word "no" very firm and on the loud side.

As for not listening, most babies think that your scolding is a game. Keep being persistant. She will learn.

I have six kitties of my own and most of them I got as a kitten. They are fun, but can also be frustraiting.

Answer 7

Kitty is marking her territory. Cats mark their territory so that any other cat will know that this is your kitty's territory. Have you had her fixed yet? Is there another kitty in your home? And the sprays that say that these chemicals will keep your cat off of the places that you do not want them, unfortunately, do not work. I had 40 cats at one time and tried all of these cat off products and none of them worked.If you do not want the cat to pee all over your belongings I would suggest letting the kitty be an outdoor kitty. Before you let kitty out make sure she has her shots and has been fixed. I also suggest a collar, with tags telling the kitty's name, rabies tag, and your name and address and phone number in case it gets lost.

Answer 8

Cats can not be trained like dogs. Get her spayed and that will take care of some of the bad behavior but not all of it. She is probably peeing on your stuff because you have sprayed her with water. Her way of getting back at you.

Answer 9

Sorry sounds like she feels neglected a bit. You can buy the pee off spray on stuff but the offective ness of it is ?????????????
Let het out more, she will come home.