In serious need of cat help and suggestions.?

Question

Okay, here's the deal:
My wife and I adopted a cat a few months ago. He's really a great cat, very loving and affectionate. But he's seriously starting to get on my nerves: 1) Hopping up on the bed at night and walking over my head. 2) Meowing at random in the middle of the night. 3) Clawing (despite cut claws) everything in the house except his three clawing trees. 4) Chewing on anything he can get his mouth on, despite bitter sprays and pepper sprays. (And no, he is not teething).

I'm really about to lose my mind. I am a full time college student and work part time along with other, numerous items needing done in the house every week. I cannot function on only 3-4 hours of sleep a night because of our cat meowing, scratching and jumping all over the furniture all night.
Any suggestions...other than making kitty stew tonight?

Answer 1

Get a laser pointer and have him wear himself out with chasing the dot, right before bed time.

Keep a spray bottle set on 'mist' by the bedside. When he comes up in the middle of the night mist him in the face. He should back off. If he does it again, mist him a second time then get him out of the room and close the door (the second misting will keep him from yelling at the door).

I understand about the sleep thing, I have one who walks across my head at 4am regularly.

Rub fresh catnip on the scratching posts (it should be growing good everywhere right now, or use Cosmic Catnip).

Answer 2

Try giving him a room, even if it's a bathroom, with food, water, a litter box, and a place to sleep. Other than that, you can try to wear him out at night by tying a toy to a string and the string to a pole and letting him play with the toy while you're guiding it with the stick. You can get another cat and then he might be more occupied with a friend. If he still chews things, cat-proof the most dangerous ones (like putting thich rubber protecting for electic cords) and buy something for him to chew on that is similar to his favorite chew toys. For instance, if he likes rubber, get him a small rubber dog chew toy.

Answer 3

If the cat is bothering you at night, you should just shut the bedroom door. My cat use to do that, and at first I though it was cute, but then it just got to be to much. He moews at the door for a few minutes and then stops and goes and lay's down somewhere else. Another thing about cats are that they are noctural. They sleep during the day and play at night.

Another thing you can do so he gets tired is play with him for a little while. We designate about 15 minutes during the day that we really play with the cat. Get a stick with a string and they will play forever. I believe he may just be bored and wants your attention!! Hope this helps

Answer 4

If the problem is really getting you down, you could always resort to taking your cat to a behaviorist or kitty classes (if your wife has the time for it - sounds like you're a bit busy!).

Here are some websites that may help you further:
http://www.meowhoo.com/Behavior___Training/Cat_Behavior_Consultants/index.html

http://www.catchannel.com/behavior/default.aspx

http://www.kingdomofpets.com/completecattraining/

Answer 5

The cat is obviously bored and not getting enough attention. Cats need to be played with and loved on.

Answer 6

he's being a cat (and he's very good at it). having you tried shutting him out of your bedroom at night?

Answer 7

thats a cat for you. try playing withb the cat.

Answer 8

toys, and catnip or perhaps a playmate.