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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Badly behaved cat - posting for traffic

90 replies

PookieDo · 09/11/2018 20:12

Well I don’t know if it’s exactly badly behaved but it is driving me crazy

It’s a housecat through its own choice of being afraid of the outside. It is healthy. Fed. Spay. Feliway is in the house. It has toys and humans. I cannot have a cat flap for logistical reasons (my front door is not the door to the outside world)

But every evening and through the night it walks around, wails and scratches at everything. If I relent and open the front doors, it will bolt but then come straight back when I close it and scratch the other side to come back in. It doesn’t like any doors closed and will scratch at everyone’s door or the bathroom door.

I am considering another cat (am desperate) for company but we had another cat who has now died and all it did was bully that one so I don’t think this is the answer

Anyone else wantgot a very annoying cat?

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Dollymixture22 · 09/11/2018 21:15

Has she been to the vet recently? Is she spayed?

My kitten wakes me up during the night - - she used to be a nightmare but I started putting her downstairs each time and now she is nowhere near as bad (not perfect though!).

The scratching will do less damage if you get her nails trimmed - my vet does it for free.

Poor cat sounds a bit bored. Could the kids tires her out with a laser pen at bed time?

shouldwestayorshouldwego · 09/11/2018 21:15

One of ours likes to count us all. Not happy if someone is missing and will want doors opened to go and find them.

Original poster
PookieDo · 09/11/2018 21:15

The shouting is not acceptable. It’s usually happened middle of the night and been ‘STOP!’ Which I kind of understand from their POV is what a child might react to being woken up, but I try to get the cat back to me when it starts so that everyone can stay asleep. Or give it something to eat

The cat comes for a cuddle then bites you. So the unpredictability has made the DC avoid the cat mostly and be indifferent. The old cat would at least warn you it wasn’t happy with growing and tail wagging this one just goes IN like a crazy cat

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Dollymixture22 · 09/11/2018 21:16

My kitten just nite my toe - so I am no expert!!

Namechangechangename123 · 09/11/2018 21:18

I can see why you are frustrated. Does she like being brushed? I use a tangle teezer on mine and he loves it.

Original poster
PookieDo · 09/11/2018 21:18

I’ve had cats before and the vicious ones I loved from afar. This one gives no warning and I’ve moved around in bed before and it’s locked on my arm obviously thinking I am some scary cat attacker

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Bellabonkers · 09/11/2018 21:19

Sounds like kitty has you well trained. It plays up so you feed it to stop. NEVER reward an animal for bad behaviour.
Kitty may be naughty but she doesn't sound daft Smile

Vitalogy · 09/11/2018 21:20

Sometimes if they're over stimulated by lots of stroking they can lash out with little warning.

Vitalogy · 09/11/2018 21:21

*it's our fault of course, not being mind readers and all Hmm

Wolfray · 09/11/2018 21:22

I'd possibly contact a behaviourist from the Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors. They might be able to help your cat to settle.

Original poster
PookieDo · 09/11/2018 21:24

Sometimes if they're over stimulated by lots of stroking they can lash out with little warning.

That’s exactly what happens. She goes mad purring and rolling rubbing and dribbling straight away only to seconds later body slam you with her full weight like a shark.

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Bellabonkers · 09/11/2018 21:26

It is so lovely that you care enough to post here though for ideas.
It's obvious you are really trying and it can be tough when animals can't talk to you and tell you what is wrong.

My little fluffy girl passed away 6 weeks ago. I miss her so much but she could also be a little terror at times.

sirmione16 · 09/11/2018 21:31

The stroking is most definitely over stimulating. 100%.

In terms of playing. All cats will play. You need to not see it as play but as hunting. Some cats are bush dwellers - ie my rag doll will only hunt things on the floor, she loves hiding round corners and will chase a laser pen or a piece of string on the ground but the moment it goes above her head level, not interested one bit. Other cats will be tree dwellers - they like height and jumping and movement. Most stimulated by feathers on a string type toys moved quickly in the air, or by a mouse toy being dragged along high surfaces. You just need to figure out what she wants to hunt the howling scratching and general disturbance is an output of built up energy.

In terms of furniture you don't want scratched at: pop some clear double sided sticky tape along where she scratches. They don't like the feel of it and will look for something else. Then there's part to as you're saying "no" to one piece of furniture, give her a "yes" right next to it. A good sturdy scratch post. Not one that will tip over. They should be able to scratch all the way along it whilst stretching their backs out.

Best wishes!

Vitalogy · 09/11/2018 21:31

That’s exactly what happens. She goes mad purring and rolling rubbing and dribbling straight away only to seconds later body slam you with her full weight like a shark. That's it, our cats the same. Took a while to figure out how long to fuss for before he's had enough. It still looks like he wants a bit more but you have to sort of cut it short or else swipe!

Original poster
PookieDo · 09/11/2018 21:32

I got her tunnel out for her favourite game - hide, hunt, attack (me I am the prey)

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CustardOmlet · 09/11/2018 21:33

My cats have full access to the house and outside (cat flap) and although there is only a little bit of clawing evidence in the house it is mostly the carpet next to my bedroom door which is shut at night. They can go everywhere else but its this one room they cant get in that they want access to! Also they do most of their scratching on the fence posts and the neighbours olive tree, they have gone mad with scratching that.

Wolfiefan · 09/11/2018 21:33

Cats can be quite subtle. One of mine will go wide eyed before she bites. It’s not always as obvious as growling or tail swishing.
And moving in bed? All moving targets are fair game. Kitty lesson no 1!

loubeylou68smellsofreindeerpoo · 09/11/2018 21:33

My cat is a pain is a pain in the arse! He tries to wake me (3.40 am the other night) by knocking everything off the surfaces in the bedroom, once when I shut him out the dining room when he tried to stop me doing bookwork he wandered through to the living room and peed on the sofa right next to dh. That said I love him to bits. Cats all have different characters and sometimes you need to accept that. I did see a cat behaviourist programme and they advised intense playing a few times a day until the cat panted

steppemum · 09/11/2018 21:34

if she is bored, then stimulating her during the day should alleviate boredom so she sleeps at night.
You wouldn't need to be stimulating her at midnight when she scratches.
I am the only one who can cuddle our cat, with me he adores being cuddled for just so long, and then I instinctively put him down just as he turns to bite, I don;t even know why, I just know he has had enough. My dc can never spot it. I find it really interesting the way they are 100% adoring it and then suddenly not any more!

Original poster
PookieDo · 09/11/2018 21:35

Bellabonkers

Oh I’m sorry. It is horrible when you lose one. When I lost my older cat I cried for days. I actually bought a piece of jewellery with her name on and I wear it never take it off Blush

Cat wants to hunt. Cat needs to learn to go out!

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CustardOmlet · 09/11/2018 21:35

Forgot my point... she may not be scratching anymore than any normal free cat, its just contained to your house than out in the wind like other cats.

sirmione16 · 09/11/2018 21:35

@PookieDo ffs don't keep playing with her with you as prey! Every time you do you're reinforcing to her that it's okay to swipe at humans. Very strong reinforcement. Stop immediately if you don't want to be attacked. She doesn't know the difference between play time and not. You're setting yourself up as a target.

Original poster
PookieDo · 09/11/2018 21:37

If I can see her usually I can get away fast enough but sometimes I’m not touching her just near and she will ‘strike’ and that involves my arm and hand being a gazelle and her the tiger with all paws/claws/jaws

She also guards the stairs from DC. I think she’s trying to play as her games are scaring people, running fast and biting you

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Wolfiefan · 09/11/2018 21:37

Don’t let her attack you.
Roll screwed up paper or dangle something at the end of a string.

Original poster
PookieDo · 09/11/2018 21:39

Tunnel is her favourite but does wind her up. I’m not being the prey I just AM the prey. I need to tire her out though as it’s getting late

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