Having a Cat Issue... May 1 Update!

[Andit]

Just put her regular kibble in it - make her work to get her breakfast/dinner. It also works great for kitties that need to lose weight (gets them moving around a bit more).

Do you have a plastic dish, like I posted in the vid? Put some kibble or her fav treat underneath (let her watch you do this) & get her to try to figure out how to get the treat from under the dish. It'll be harder since she's declawed, but if she wants it enough she'll find a way.

My cat isn't declawed, but is really good about not scratching. I also get on his case if he so much as thinks about doing something naughty. It's prevented a lot of bad habits from forming.

& all the stress in your house is definitely causing some of her behaviour.

I've found that while dogs are always up for adventures, cats prefer a quiet night at home doing the same old thing (with some exceptions, of course). Even my cat whom I've taken all sorts of places in my purse (even to a dog festival) likes things to be in the right place at all times. My place is a huge mess right now cause I've taken stuff out of my closet & put it all over the apt while I'm cleaning & organizing. Quincy got ticked that I moved their toybox to the spot on the living room carpet where he usually naps in the sun, so he climbed into it, meowing at me the whole time. He wasn't terribly comfortable, but he wasn't about to change his routine either.

Andit, she gets kibble. But I will look for a treat ball, that's a great idea! Any suggestions of what to put it in? I assume just a dry cat treat she likes?

[TaraF]

She actually has an automated feeder. It's not automated really, but as the food in the dish part goes down, more will fall down to the dish. Actually it is identical to the picture below but the picture below says it's a water dish LOL



It's out all day and she just nibbles when she wants to, she doesn't have a set feeding schedule, never has. She is CRAZY about those Friskies Party Mix Dry Treats so I think I will try it with that.

Just put her regular kibble in it - make her work to get her breakfast/dinner. It also works great for kitties that need to lose weight (gets them moving around a bit more).

Do you have a plastic dish, like I posted in the vid? Put some kibble or her fav treat underneath (let her watch you do this) & get her to try to figure out how to get the treat from under the dish. It'll be harder since she's declawed, but if she wants it enough she'll find a way.

My cat isn't declawed, but is really good about not scratching. I also get on his case if he so much as thinks about doing something naughty. It's prevented a lot of bad habits from forming.

& all the stress in your house is definitely causing some of her behavior.

I've found that while dogs are always up for adventures, cats prefer a quiet night at home doing the same old thing (with some exceptions, of course). Even my cat whom I've taken all sorts of places in my purse (even to a dog festival) likes things to be in the right place at all times. My place is a huge mess right now cause I've taken stuff out of my closet & put it all over the apt while I'm cleaning & organizing. Quincy got ticked that I moved their toybox to the spot on the living room carpet where he usually naps in the sun, so he climbed into it, meowing at me the whole time. He wasn't terribly comfortable, but he wasn't about to change his routine either.

[TaraF]

I don't have any cat advice as I'm a dog owner. I hope things work out well for you however if it does get to the point where you can't keep her anymore please have her put down not given away.
I know a million people will bite my head off for this but If you give her up because of of it, what might happen if the next owner isn't as understanding as you and beats or worse her because of the attacks.
I really do hope that with some work you will get her back into a loving family cat.

I don't think I ever could get rid of her to be honest, I'm just REALLY frustrated with her. The thing is, she isn't aggressive all the time which is a plus and I also don't have a baby or kids around the house that I have to worry about her being aggressive with either which is a bigger plus. The problem if I ever took her to say The Humane Society is I would have to give full disclosure about her behavior and they might deem her unadoptable anyways. I'd rather keep her and work through things. She's my baby ya know!?

[GTAkitty]

Make her search for treats around the house and hide them like easter eggs. My kitties love searching and hunting for them. I hope it helps keep any boredom away. Good luck!

[BlazingDriver]

My cat goes absolutely crazy for pieces of plastic strapping that you get off of newspaper bundles.

A piece about 2 feet long and thrown the floor and she'll play with it until she's exhausted. Sometimes I get a longer piece and drag it around the house behind me, which is even better because she's having interactive fun with Mom. She's in her teens and plays with this thing like a kitten.

You can't buy the stuff though. You have to nose around places where they unwrap bundles of newspaper and either ask for some or (in my case) pick them up off the ground where they were carelessly tossed. I need to replace it fairly frequently because she chews it to death.

And I also wanted to mention that animals are very empathic and pick up on stress and anger. If your household is stressed the problem may be that she is reflecting your emotions back on to you. Maybe take some Yoga classes or something and learn how to calm and balance yourself. It will be good for you and her!

[daisybear]

I'd rather keep her and work through things. She's my baby ya know!?

I'm so glad to hear that, I went to bed last night worried about her...LOL

[TaraF]

*bump for my crazy kitty update!*

[VeeVee]

Aww that is awesome gald she is better!
Where did u buy that mouse pad Its cute...woudn't mind getting one for my little furman!

[lekate]

Aww that is awesome gald she is better!
Where did u buy that mouse pad Its cute...woudn't mind getting one for my little furman!

It's from Walmart! My friends kitties had one!

[TaraF]

It's from Walmart! My friends kitties had one!

You are correct! It was $13.88 for the Mouse Pad.

[momofkali]

Lol great vid looks like your cat is having a blast

Glad to hear things are going better

[Andit]

One was the treat ball to which might I add she hates lol I think she just doesn't like working for her treats

Ha, typical cat - why should she have to work for anything when she has you as a servant.

Another thing I purchased is a "mouse pad". It's an activity centre for kitties that has little dangly toys and it folds up for easy portability. I sprayed it with the calming spray and my cat LOVES it! She actually will wake us up in the morning because she's playing with it

Glad you found something she likes.

Isn't it funny how different cats can be. My cat had a similar activity centre & just lay down beside it, completely ignoring it. But give him a tennis ball (or any ball, I swear he's part dog) & he goes crazy. Maybe that's why he likes his treat ball?

Great video, by the way! Keep us updated on how she's doing, she's a real cutie.

[Natalka]

I think it's wonderful that you have found some things which work - I did think that she was probably bored - either you weren't playing enough with her or just not the right things were around. So with that pad she can play independently a bit. Mind you, it's not the same as that strapping stuff someone mentioned (ours loves that too), or any kind of box, a twist tie, a straw, a kinder surprise container, etc. - we've bought very few cat toys over the years.
Yesterday's hit was the strip you tear off the frozen pizza box - had them going like crazy playing with it! Then we made tents from flyers, and again - tons of fun ensued!

Good luck!