Other then getting rid of him. My cat, if the liter box is dirty which is about 2 days will pee on anything material on the floor. Or on the couch. But thats not all, if I don't pay him enough attention when I get home, like I went straight to bed one time after work. He actually peed on me.
The other thing is he claws my furniture despite the fact that I yell at him, and sometimes he won't even quit then and since he'd move if I got up to get him I have to throw something at him to get him to quit.
I've tried since I got him to keep him off the table and counters, and he gets really jelous of my other older kitty and attacks her if she gets any attention.
I love this cat, because he's the kind thats really hard to love, but surprisingly affectionate. But I need to gain control! Any suggestions?
2007-10-01 04:52:53 · 10 answers · asked by Kellie 5 in Pets ➔ Cats
Thank you for all your suggestions. I wanted to add a little about him. He's 2 now. I got him when he was just a little kitten. He almost drowned in a water troph at a farm, he had to be treated for a respitory infection before I got him. After that when I receieved him, he was acting funny. Not playful at all, and running and hiding. When I caught him I thought I saw a burr in his fur so I pulled it out. It was a plug keeping puss in. I treated the poor little guy and he became his hyper self. He is fixed so his behavior didn't end when that was done. But I love him, and because of all his unfortunate events. I lovenly named him Jinx
2007-10-01 06:24:20 · update #1
Has he been checked by a vet to make sure that he's not suffering from a UTI or other health problem? If physically he's fine then you need to make sure that the litter box is always clean or provide one for each cat. I remove dirty litter as soon as my cats have used the litter tray, on the basis that I wouldn't want to use a toilet that the previous occupant hadn't flushed.
Have you had him since he was a kitten or is he a fairly recent addition to your home? What age is your other cat and how do they get along? If they're not very sociable with each other, maybe he just wants extra time from you for playing etc. He might also be feeling a little insecure. Sometimes very nervous or anxious cats will urinate on their owners as a way of trying to reinforce the bond between you by mixing their scent with yours.
Scratching is natural for cats and the way to train them is to offer them an alternative item that they are allowed to scratch. Just as they have litter preference, some like scratch posts, whilsts others prefer corrugated cardboard or the underside of a rug. The web article below offers good advice on training him not to scratch the furniture.
http://www.catscratching.com/
Bear in mind that part of his desire to scratch is to scent mark territory so anywhere he has scratched contains his claw scent and this attracts him to the same spot each time. Where possible, cover the furniture with blankets or throws while he learns to use his scratch post. Cats dislike the smell of menthol or eucalyptus oil, so add a few drops to water and spray on scratched areas to deter him from using them again.
Yelling or throwing things at him isn't the best way of training him. Not only does it not work, but it may make him fear or resent you. Sounds crazy, but hissing is a much better way of getting cats to stop doing something they're not supposed to (it reawkens memories of mother cat's discpline). Positive reinforcement works well with cats, so remember to reward him with food treats or affection when he is well behaved or uses his scratch post. They are clever animals and much more inclined to adopt behaviour that benefits them in some way.
Cats like being up high, it's why they climb trees or sit on top of a wall. It makes them feel safe from surpise attack and gives them the perfect spot to watch everything going on around them. Apart from interest in food items, this is the main reason that cats want to get up on work tops and tables, because they are usually the tallest items of furniture in that room. Do your cats have a cat tree or something similar that they are allowed to climb and sit on? If not, do you have something else like a shelf or bookcase that he can be allowed to get on? Every time he gets on the table or counters, pick him up, tell him "no" and move him to the item he is allowed to sit on. He'll soon get the message.
I know a lot of people like using the squirt bottle method of training their cat, but personally I never have, for the reasons mentioned in the article below.
http://www.littlebigcat.com/index.php?action=library&act=show&item=squirtbottlespunishmentandcatbehavior1
Please be patient with him, he just needs gentle guidance to be taught good manners.
2007-10-01 05:37:56 · answer #1 · answered by Michele the Louis Wain cat 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The general rule of thumb is one litter box per cat + one extra just in case. You might want to get another box for this "problematic" cat...or else clean the box every day. When I had two cats, that was a necesity!
If you don't have a scratching post for this kitty, you might want to invest in one. He is only doing normal cat things and while he should no do them to your furniture, he just doesn't know any better. Get a post and treat it with cat nip. He won't be able to get enough of it! :-) If that's not an option for you, check out the pet store. They often times have a spray that you can squirt on the furniture that repels the cats...they hate whatever scent it is. That might work as well.
The squirt bottle is a great idea to keep the kitty off the counter tops. Just put water in it (they hate water) and be stern with your reprimand.
As for him not liking the older cat, give that situation some time. If he is still relatively new to the household, he might be working out some territorial issues still. As long as they are equally yoked (both have claws and whatnot), they will be able to tussle and spar until they find a common ground to get along.
Don't give up on him yet....and good luck!
2007-10-01 06:14:55 · answer #2 · answered by YSIC 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
If you have more than one cat, you need more than one litter box. The rule is one per cat. Keep both boxes clean. Get scoopable litter and scoop it out every chance you get.
Go out next and buy a nice cat tree that is carpeted and a nice large scratching post. Don't get the little cheap ones. Cats can't reach up very high on those. They like the tall sturdy ones. As for keeping him off the tables and counters...good luck. Cats are natural climbers and explorers. I've never had any luck with that myself and it will make the cat happier if he is allowed to climb. The cat tree will help too. If there are levels on it and platforms to sit on it may help with the counter exploration. If you are not yelling at him and throwing things at him all the time for doing what is just being a cat then he might stop peeing on you and on other things in the house.
2007-10-01 05:40:07 · answer #3 · answered by catsaver001 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Don't get rid of him! or I'm going to cry lol :( Please just make sure to clean the litter box every 2 days or so like I do, yes it can be hard sometimes, I get tired after work and school but I still manage to do it. I was laughing reading this because I have 3 cats that are just the same as you described. They will purposely urinate on my floor, clothes, etc if I do not clean it right away. All you can really do is clean the litter box on time so that he won't get messy, also, when you see him scratching your things pick him up and gently say "no, no" it has worked foe me, they know that no means something bad. I admire you for being such a great mom and thank you for taking them in and loving them, it's not easy work, I do the same everyday. Take care of the babies for me, gl!
2007-10-01 05:09:22 · answer #4 · answered by NO♥NAME 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Clearly, the two of you are not a good match.
1) Throwing things at cats is *not* a proper way to change a cat's behavior.
2) Demanding a clean litter box is *not* unreasonable. If you have other cats who tolerate it, you are lucky.
Cats can be trained to have new behavior. You can certainly train him to use a scratching post and stay off countertops, but it sounds as though you don't have the patience for this.
I strongly suggest that you find a cat lover to give him a new, loving home.
ADDED: Truly, I'm not making a judgment about you. Some pets/owners are good matches and some aren't. It sounds as if this one is trying your nerves and that you don't have the lifestyle or personality type to work with him as patiently as he needs. I honestly believe that you and the cat would be happier if he was in a different home.
ALSO:If you decide to keep him
If your cat is actually peeing on you and everything is okay with him physically, he is *definitely* trying to tell you something! Many cats do not like to share a litter box. (It could be your original cat that does not want him in there, or it could be that he wants his own.) Some other cats like to have one litter box for urine and one for poop. That is why the recommendation is to have one litter box for every cat, plus one more. I have never seen a cat who has preference for more than one box be trained out of the behavior -- they need what they need.
-or-
It's possible he peed on you because he was marking you as his. : ) You could mark him instead! lol I don't mean pee on him. But, you can kneel over him so that you completely envelope him. Then run your chin on the top of his head or rub your cheek on his cheek or the top of his head. This is one (gentle) way to tell him that you are the boss and that you are the one in charge. Then, you really need to take care of his needs.
1. Give him proper scratching posts and train him to use them. (I used to leave small treats at the base of the scratching post and reward him when I caught him using it.)
2. Provide a high place for him to get to. (You don’t have to buy anything fancy. I put a small side table next to my TV armoire so that he could get up there. You could use empty boxes or milk crates and cover it with a sheet. They don’t care what it is! )
3. Provide the right litter box(es) for him. You may have to try a different litter or type of box, too.
Good luck with this cat!
2007-10-01 06:09:45 · answer #5 · answered by susanmaried 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
cats are picky about their litter boxes. they like them cleaned every day sometimes twice a day. would you use a toilet when its full of poop or pee? to help with the furniture use double sided tape on it, this is annoying to cats and will deter them from scratching. another thing to use is the rubber mats they have for office chairs to roll on. flip it over and use the knobby side. cut it up and place the strips where you don't want the cat to go. the knobs are uncomfortable when stepped on and the cat will not like walking on it. to keep the cat off the counters and tables use a spray bottle with water. spray the cat whenever you catch him up there. say "off the counter or table"or "get off or down" then spray. he thinks he is dominate. give him his pettings first then the other cat. if he has a "temper tantrum" separate him from you and the other cat by placing him in another room for 10 minutes then let him out. do this every time he has his "temper tantrums"
2007-10-01 05:27:17 · answer #6 · answered by g g 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
That cat has a real problem. Cats are usually great house pets for people who work. You can try toys, scratching post, try using a different type of kitty litter or try shredded news paper. Keep his litter box clean. Cats don't train well they are either well behaved or not he's not.
2007-10-01 05:02:02 · answer #7 · answered by Kim S 3 · 1⤊ 2⤋
You need a water bottle or squirt gun, with a long stream, to shoot across the room. Yell as you squirt.
You also need a second littler box . . . at least one per cat, and perhaps a third one for the one who'll go anywhere.
The key to teaching cats is to be more patient than the cat, which is nearly impossible!
2007-10-01 04:59:50 · answer #8 · answered by jimmeisnerjr 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Ah, evil kitties...
At petsmart there is a product called at ease, it's supposed to help kitty calm down.
Litterbox wise, kitty is just picky, you'll have to keep up with keeping it clean.
Now I've never noticed this (it never worked with my animals) but sometimes if you neuter males they calm down.
If not, I have an evil kitty. I'll trade you mine for yours.
2007-10-01 05:17:24 · answer #9 · answered by Chief High Commander, UAN 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
get rid of him cats can stink up the house worse than dogs
2007-10-01 04:56:04 · answer #10 · answered by ? 1 · 0⤊ 3⤋