My cat is a monster!
There are cats that sometimes, as an exception, “sharpen” their claws on wallpaper, a closet or their favorite chair. And there are real “monsters” that smash the apartment to smithereens. They jump from the fridge onto your head, smash door frames and window frames to pieces, scrape every corner they come across, gnaw on wires and even your shoes! In general, all furniture, wallpaper (and sometimes family members) look like you have Freddy Krueger settled in. How to survive with a small monster? How to direct irrepressible energy (and at the same time claws with teeth) in the right direction? About this in our article.
It is only in fairy tales that cats “love to walk by themselves”, are graceful and independent like deer, dream of fresh sour cream and spend days on end basking on the windowsill.
In reality, all cats are very different. There are quiet and independent. There are affectionate couch potatoes, playful sunbeams. And there are those who, by their talent to tear down the house, are more like dogs. Imagine that not a Cornish Rex, but a Rottweiler is jumping over the cabinets and refrigerators in your house. Yes, yes, sometimes it really does!
But if you tear apart wallpapers and furniture for cats, this is a classic of the genre, that is, originals that go further and move on to the destruction of the owner’s shoes, bags and any other accessories that are pleasant to the tooth – especially wires. Remember the Rottweiler comparison?
What should the owners of cats with an iron character, teeth and claws do? How not to go crazy and find an approach to the pet? Catch the recommendations of zoopsychologists.
- The first thing to do is to make sure that destructive behavior is not related to health problems. Cats who are unwell may behave strangely and even aggressively. Therefore, before punishing a pet for another prank, contact a veterinarian and make sure that everything is in order with the cat.
- Secondly, the cat may have moral trauma. If you picked up a cat on the street or took it from a shelter, if there was a lot of stress in your pet’s life (for example, associated with an attack), if he got lost, etc., then “bad” behavior can be a way of self-defense, a manifestation of fear. Cats that don’t feel safe are very restless. In such situations, it is very important to contact a professional animal psychologist: he will help you find an approach to the cat.
These are the most serious causes of negative feline habits. Further it will be easier. Are we continuing?
- And what about the hormonal background?
If the pet has not undergone a castration or sterilization procedure, then destructive behavior may be associated with the call of instincts. Fluffy Don Juan is ready to literally bite into the walls, just to make an escape to the Lady of the Heart.
If this is your case, consider castration.
- Improper diet
You would be surprised how many health and behavioral problems are due to dietary deficiencies. Perhaps your cat nibbles on everything because she lacks vitamins and minerals. Review your diet and purchase special healthy treats to appease your destroyer!
- Boredom
Ta-dam! This is the main reason why cats destroy the house, gnaw on wires, shoes and spoil furniture. While you spend days and evenings at work, your pet has nothing to do at all … But his energy would be enough for the whole world!
Active cats need to be played as often as possible in order to literally wear them out. But that’s not all. You need to organize the most interesting leisure time for the cat while you are at work.
To help you, numerous multi-level cat towns, scratching posts with pendants, interactive automatic toys that work when a cat approaches, mice, balls, catnip toys with light and sound effects … For cats who love to nibble, “anti-vandal” toys are ideal – such as Kong snowmen. Don’t be put off by the fact that these are originally toys for dogs. The smallest size is also suitable for cats. “Snowmen” are nice to chew on, plus, you can put a treat in them – and the cat will be doomed to spend a lot of time trying to get to it.
Yes, perhaps your apartment will become a bit like a children’s play center, but your things will remain intact. By the way, with age, the cat becomes calmer, so most likely these are temporary measures!
Toys must be rotated so that the cat does not lose interest in them! Remove some toys for a while, get others, and so on in a circle. This will keep the effect of novelty.
- Loneliness
It often seems that keeping two cats is harder than one. But in practice, it can make your life a lot easier. Pets that match in temperament entertain each other. And your things at this time lie peacefully on the shelf.
- Wrong space
If nothing works and the cat is still crushing your flower pots and tearing apart that corner over there, you will have to do some redevelopment of the apartment. Pots can be sent to the balcony or to another place where the cat will not get them. You can try to close access to the walls with the help of household items, and for furniture, purchase special covers that will protect it from both claws and wool. What do you think about the idea of abandoning the wallpaper in favor of painting the walls?
Special repellent sprays for cats will help to discourage the cat from interest in wallpaper and furniture, but it is important not to overdo it with them.
Friends, every pet is an individual. Believe me, even the cutest fluffy cat has its flaws. In addition, you are lucky in some way, because you will never get bored with terminator cats!
We hope that no cat pranks will spoil the relationship between you, and you will love your ward even if he rushes around the house like a hurricane! But love is the key to success!