Q: I adopted an 11-month-old cat one month ago. He sleeps a lot, and the vet says he’s healthy. When he’s awake, he’s a terror. He endangers his own safety. I am afraid to leave him alone. He has gotten stuck between brackets, under a large leather, double-recliner sofa more than once. It almost is impossible to get him out. We have blocked off every way to get in, but he still does it. He is declawed, but bites his way through things.
We can’t seem to control him. He walks on the range, and I’m afraid to cook when he’s around. He chews on electrical wires. I have bought spray repellent that really smells awful, but it doesn’t discourage him. We have to close the door to his room at night so he doesn’t get into trouble when we’re asleep. I am not much of a disciplinarian because I love him so very much.
A: There are quite a few ways to channel this little one’s energy into more constructive activities. Since it is difficult to be the kitty babysitter 24/7, you may want to consider bringing another kitten into the household. Most kittens do well with another friend who has an energy level close to their own. Whenever bringing in another cat, the introductions need to be gradual.
Engaging your cat in frequent play sessions that imitate hunting activities will help disperse some of his energy. A fishing pole toy is the ideal toy for the job. Pretend that the toy at the end of the pole is prey by changing the speed and jumping it into paper bags or under sofas. Play should be fun and challenging for your adolescent. The game should become active and energetic.
When you’ve decided that you’re ready for the game to stop, don’t just stop playing abruptly. Instead, slow the play down, giving him a cool-down period. At the end of the cooling down time, let him catch the toy. Then feed him. His natural response will be to eat, groom, then go to sleep. One of these play sessions should be just before you go to bed. Please make sure that you put the toy away when you are not around to supervise the play. For more information on this play technique, I recommend reading Pam Johnson-Bennett’s book “Starting from Scratch.”
Instead of leaving food around in bowls for your cat, make him work for his meals. If he eats dry food, put the dry food in treat balls instead of keeping the food in bowls all day. Treat balls are hard, solid, plastic balls with holes in them. In order to eat, your youngster will need to bat at the treat ball and roll it around. Give your adolescent a job!
Your cat will appreciate tall cat trees in strategic places around the house. Good locations include next to a secure window and in areas where you and your family usually hang out. Cat trees with wide shelves and a covered box or hiding area are ideal. The cat trees need to be stable so that they won’t fall over when your cat is in a particularly playful mood. Interactive toys, such as puzzle boxes or turbo scratchers will also help alleviate boredom. The cat will spend hours trying to fish toys or treats out of these types of toys.