Feline Fiascos
Help! I’ve having some major issues with my cat, Smokey. He’s tearing up the house!
He didn’t use to be all that bad, but he’s gotten really bad lately. I’ve had him about 14 months now and in that time he’s broken blinds, torn carpet, ransacked plants, eaten food sitting on counters and broken almost 3 dozen ornaments - and that’s only naming a few things! It gets really bad around this time of year, when I get the Christmas tree is out. I strategically placed ornaments this year, supposedly out of his reach, so he wouldn’t cause the same problems as last year. No such luck! This year, he’s attacking the garland as well as getting ornaments that are almost three feet off the ground.
The bad part about all this is the strain it’s putting on our relationship. When I get home from a long day at work and find litter, plant leaves, pieces of garland and broken ornament fragments all over the floor, I lose it. I spanked him while shouting “Bad!” when I see him getting into something that he shouldn’t be and that worked for a while, but he’s a smart cat - he’ll wait until I’m in bed or gone to work, then he’ll attack the tree or get on the counters. When I come home and find the mess, I’ll pick him up, take him to the tree/garland/ornaments, etc - to show him the “bad” stuff - then spank him and shout at him, trying to make the association that these things are bad. No such luck! I hate this strain on our relationship and wish there was a way to make him understand, but don’t know how to teach him to stay away from these things.
Tonight was particularly bad so he’s in solitary confinement until tomorrow. I’ve put him in a sealed off section of the basement, some place where he can’t make a mess or get into things.
Are there any cat owners out there, or pet owners in general, that have some advice for me on how to handle this situation?
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Dec 5th, 2005 at 10:49:52
I’ve never had a cat that was too terrible. Maybe spanking isn’t the route you should go. I’ve found squirt bottles of water work really well with my cat and dog.
you could always get a cat carrier or kennel for Smokey. When you leave for the day, put him in there.
Dec 5th, 2005 at 11:23:15
I’ve tried the squirt bottle route, especially last Christmas, but that didn’t work either…
Dec 5th, 2005 at 16:19:04
he’s a cat, Chris. He can’t make associations like a dog could. Spanking him and puting him in solitary confinement won’t teach him a thing…
Dec 5th, 2005 at 20:08:25
Associations have worked in the past, but I can’t make the associations if he only does bad when I’m not around. So do you have any suggestions?
Dec 5th, 2005 at 22:00:33
Yeah, animals have a short memory. If you want to make an association, you pretty much have to catch them in the act. Plus, cats hold grudges. If they get mad at you, they do stuff to be mean or get attention. I wish I had some advice, but I’m not a cat person. Dogs and cats are totally different. If it were a dog, I would just “dog-proof” the house, but it’s pretty much impossible to do that with a cat. The only thing I could suggest is to put him in an area where he can’t destroy stuff while your gone, and get him out when you get back. Every few days, maybe leave him out and see how he does. If he messes stuff up, put him back up for a few days. If he does good, then leave him out. Good Luck, I know being a pet owner can be frustrating!!
Dec 5th, 2005 at 22:54:01
has he been fixed?
Dec 5th, 2005 at 23:05:43
Yes, he’s been fixed for about a year now.
Dec 6th, 2005 at 15:57:51
I don’t freakin’ blame Smokey for being mean to you. You deserve it.
i had forgotten you had his testicles sliced off. what, to gruesome you say? what’s to be ashamed of, that’s exactly what you did to another living being. take responsibility for it and live with the consequenses.You had no right to take away his gender distinguishing body part… animals can become tramatized too ya know…
jerk…
TEAR THE PLACE UP SMOKEY! MAKE HIM PAY!
Dec 6th, 2005 at 16:12:35
shelby was really bad about getting into the tree last year. squirt bottles or, in our case, a super soaker, occassionally helped, but only when we caught her in the act. one thing that really really helped (and kept her from attacking me when she was bored) was when we got another cat. cats are for the most part pretty social animals. if he has someone else to play with, he might not be so apt to destroy everything. otherwise, you may want to designate a room for smokey to stay in while you’re gone, or you’re not gonna have very many ornaments left!
Dec 6th, 2005 at 18:54:05
Hmm…another cat…interesting thought
I really don’t think I would be able to handle two, though. Right now, he’s been designated to a section of the basement, but I feel bad about confining him to a smaller space.
Dec 6th, 2005 at 19:31:17
man, chris, your future kids are in for it
Dec 6th, 2005 at 19:37:31
David, did you leave that last comment? If so, your browser still has my information (name, email, etc) listed in it…
Dec 6th, 2005 at 19:56:12
That last comment was not by me, it was by my wife whom as you said has not changed your information out to her’s from when you were here not too long ago. But hey when you were talking about paintball, was the steven you were referring to our cousin? I didn’t know he played? I should bring my gun up for Christmas in case it is nice. I havne’t played since the spring series with you guys. I need to get some guys together down here with church or something.
Dec 6th, 2005 at 19:58:12
Give him, Smoky, some time. He could be a teenager and acting mischievous but could grow out of it a little later. Remember when Sox use to do that, but she’s settled down alot. Speaking of which I miss her, give her some loving the next time you are over the ‘rents house, till I can make it there here a couple weeks.
Dec 6th, 2005 at 20:36:19
No, not the Smoke stack! That stinks! Ah Chris, I don’t know what to tell you. Cats are rotten…Today my parents found Adrienne eating our tree skirt from underneath our Christmas tree. Yep! She was totally going to town-that darn cat, but never the less we go on loving them don’t we?!
I hope to see or talk to ya soon Chris!
Dec 6th, 2005 at 22:05:45
Yep, David, that’s our cousin. He’s played paintball with my group a couple times, though he’s completely stood us up without even a phone call the last two times. He bought my Spyder when I got the Tippman.
Dec 7th, 2005 at 10:58:39
He played pretty well from what I remember
And Bryan - I guess you heve never owned a male cat that has never been fixed? They hump everything and during the “heat” season they tend to spray and you can never comletely get that stench out of carpet, clothing, chairs, couches, wherever they decide to spray. Probably why I only own female cats. The world doesn’t need extra animals running around from careless owners.
Dec 7th, 2005 at 12:07:40
We purchased a kitten for the kids and so far have been pretty lucky with the way it acts…looks at the tree and smells it, nothing else yet…
As far as paintball when you come up David…might be an idea if we can get enough players…
Mar 2nd, 2006 at 21:25:46
I have a cat named Smokey, too. He used to chew holes in my couch. All I did was buy him stuffed animals which he now gleefully rips to shreds. And my new couch remains hold-free for it’s 5th year! So maybe if you get your cat some toys that are shiny and make noise, show him they are for play (throw them around, let him chase them, etc.) he will find them enjoyable and leave the other things alone. Just a thought.
Mar 2nd, 2006 at 23:37:08
Lol, Smokey rips his toys to shreds, too. That is, when he’s not losing them. I bought a pack of 8 catnip mice and he’ll lose all of them in a week. Some I’ll find under the couch or behind something, but the others…well, I have no clue where they go. Thankfully, Smokey leaves my furniture alone. The plants aren’t so lucky, though…