Please we need your Help!!!!!m

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-01-2004
Please we need your Help!!!!!m
8
Tue, 02-01-2005 - 1:05pm
We have a cat/kitten named Tiger he is a neutered cat that turns 1 on April first. He can be very lovely and very very nasty all at the same time. Often he claws and bites. He is up most of the night banging, jumping and destroying the house. He climbs his way up the wall/curtains chasing any light that flickers. He will often attack my 7yr old daughter who loves and cares for him. He has made her bleed many times. He gets wild/hyper- than is purring curled up on your lap and is the sweetest thing. We are at a lose. Is this just something we put up with until he is older? Do we have his claws removed but this still leaves him with teeth!!Do they sell cat cages that are humane and that will allow the cat to sleep at night and not destroy the house. Any advice is greatly appretiated. We really love him but he is driving us crazy.
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-06-2004
Tue, 02-01-2005 - 1:10pm
Well, he has lots of energy, maybe a kitty playmate would be good. I am against declawing. Alot of declawed cats do become biters and if he doesn't work out at your home he will be defenseless if he gets out somewhere. Have you ever put him in another room at bedtime? I'm wondering if he will meow all night in a kennel? You still wouldn't get any sleep. Hopefully some others here will have some great advice for you to try. Don't give up, let us know how it goes. Donna
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-07-2003
Tue, 02-01-2005 - 1:20pm

Hi and welcome! Sounds like you've got your hands full.

First of all, declawing will probably only make the biting worse - cats with no claws are left with teeth as their only defense, and they get much more used to using them. Keep his nails trimmed regularly to reduce damage he inflicts with them. If he is too hyper, try doing it while he is napping, or take him to a professional groomer.

Second, putting Tiger in a cage at night will only result in making him meow his fool head off all night long. And he may even turn to more frustrative aggression when he is out.

It sounds like Tiger has a LOT of energy, partially due to the fact that he is still very young, and also because, well, some cats just have more energy than others, just like some humans are always on the go, while others are more laid back. Make sure that he has lots of toys and things to keep him occupied. Fishing-pole type toys, strings, and other interactive play items are best. Regular play sessions will help him expend his energy, and keep him from bouncing off the walls so much. Some experts even recommend getting another kitten - a playmate - and I know what you are thinking ("holy crap - this times 2???"), but some friends of ours actually did it once and it did help. Only do this however if you are committed to looking after TWO pets.

I hope some of that helped. The other members here I'm sure will have some great ideas, and you may even want to try posting on the "Think like a Cat" board (if it is still around after all the changes - LOL).









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iVillage Member
Registered: 10-29-2003
Tue, 02-01-2005 - 1:23pm

Please check out this link for advice and info on cats. There specific information and advice for aggression.

http://home.ivillage.com/homekeeping/pets/topics/0,,4tn8,00.html

As for being up all night, cats are nocturnal by nature. So we have to "reset" their internal clocks in order to get them to sleep all night. This can usually be done through interactive play sessions. Interactive play sessions can also help his behavioral problem (aggression). The Think like a Cat board will also have lots of info for you as well.

Please don't declaw your kitty. Behavior in cats CAN be modified with patience and time and a little understanding. Good luck!

Michelle

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-01-2003
Tue, 02-01-2005 - 4:50pm
I bet another cat would help too,has he been fixed?


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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Tue, 02-01-2005 - 7:42pm

Hi Momtolittlered.


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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-01-2004
Wed, 02-02-2005 - 7:45am
Yes he's been fixed and another cat is really not a option but thanks anyway.
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-01-2004
Wed, 02-02-2005 - 8:14am
Thanks for the great advice. I'm going to keep him up today and see if that makes a difference. Should we discipline Tiger for the biting and bad behaviour?If yes then what?
Avatar for cl_lcni
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Wed, 02-02-2005 - 11:51am

I hope it works for you.


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