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Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

Original poster

Bored 7 month old kitten

27 replies

SuperFlyHigh · 17/11/2014 16:41

Hi - haven't posted his pic yet (will do!) but my 7 month old kitten is bored...

he's been neutered but due to neighbour's cat, me not around so much, he's not being let out until January/February.

in the meantime he's bored (naturally I'm not enough for him) and has so far chewed a book edge, tissues etc... and anything else... it's like he's teething.

He HAS got all the toys known to kittens, I do play with him but why the FECK is he chewing?! how do I help him? Rusks for kittens?! joke... Grin

thanks!

OP posts:
Nicename · 17/11/2014 16:47

Get a large mirror and put it on the floor, leaning against the wall. He will go crazy chasing the 'other' cat.

Nicename · 17/11/2014 16:48

They love chasing after 'other' cats in mirrors. Put a large mirror on the floor leaning against the wall.

Nicename · 17/11/2014 16:50

Oh! I can't see any posts other that the op!

Original poster
SuperFlyHigh · 17/11/2014 17:28

Nicename do you think he'd go for the mirror idea? most cats I know don't want to look in them.... but that's when I've been holding them stupidly trying to see if they can see their reflection... nuts I know!

OP posts:
Nicename · 17/11/2014 17:37

We only discovered this when we left a long mirror propped up lengthwise along a skirting board when Arthur was a kitten. He went mad trying to chase the interloper.

He also loved the jelly-stuff that we got to put into plant pots to stop him digging up our plants. He discovered that it bounced beautifully across wooden floors. And spiders. We used to get huuuuiige spiders in that flat and he used to chase them.

Nicename · 17/11/2014 17:38

In other words... Cat toys are useless!

Original poster
SuperFlyHigh · 17/11/2014 17:45

Nicename yes cats toys on the whole are useless.

He loves his toy penguin, foil scrunched up and the odd ball... oh and laser pointer! He loves following me and if anyone stays over etc comes to earwig on our

He also loves leaping against the French window to "attack" visiting neighbour cat...

He has so far attacked various plants (poisonous ones) so have had to rehome them... tempted to rehome cat JOKE!

Spiders I'm not sure he's seen them yet, I know cats can eat spiders...

He's half Siamese so as the lovely cozie has advised me... he will be "lively" to say the least bless him..... Smile

OP posts:
Mitzimaybe · 17/11/2014 17:52

One of mine's favourite toys was a stuffed toy on elastic hung from the door handle, so the cat would pull it down, then when let go, it would spring up and bounce up and down. They all go mad for laser pointers, I think, but that needs you to be home.

Can you get another kitten to keep him company?

Pippidoeswhatshewants · 17/11/2014 17:57

Frolicat do reasonably priced automatic laser toys, my cat loves hers. They also do one with a mouse that you can chase around.

NameChange30 · 17/11/2014 18:05

7 months and still not allowed outside? No wonder he's bored. Just because the neighbour has a cat doesn't mean you should keep yours cooped up - they will have to encounter each other at some point!
Maybe you could let him into the garden for short periods, supervised? Then when he's got used to it you could start letting him out longer, unsupervised etc? As long as you have a cat flap, he could come back in if the neighbour's cat is causing him trouble.

Original poster
SuperFlyHigh · 17/11/2014 19:26

AnotherEmma the other cat and my cat would fight if they met. I plan to let him outside when I have time at weekends but to be honest judging me on letting my kitten out?! That's up to me yes?! Wink

For now I haven't the time or money or patience to worry about whether trying to ensure my cat is not attacked.

Also it's cold now and when I have tentatively I let him out he runs back inside.

OP posts:
Original poster
SuperFlyHigh · 17/11/2014 19:28

Mitzi yes I'm considering another kitten.

My mum pops in once a day to feed him and fuss over him though.

Pippi never heard of automatic laser toys or with mouse will look into them.

OP posts:
NessaYork · 17/11/2014 19:49
You could have knocked me over with a feather the first time I saw a cat do this.
NameChange30 · 17/11/2014 20:04

Not judging, just giving my opinion! People do that when you ask Wink

Of course it's your decision as to when you let them out but at risk of being shouted down, you do sound as if you might be a teeny bit over protective.

Methe · 17/11/2014 20:09

I'm in the 'let it out' camp too :) house cats must be bored ridged most of their lives. I find it quite sad really.

Cats fight occasionally.. Isn't that what it is to be a cat?

Original poster
SuperFlyHigh · 17/11/2014 20:34

He'll be let out guys in January/February! He literally would be torn to bits by Handsome and much as he needs to man/cat up I'd prefer my cat was bigger!

OP posts:
Original poster
SuperFlyHigh · 17/11/2014 20:34

He's not a house cat forever.

OP posts:
timtam23 · 17/11/2014 20:39

Could you try a foraging ball or something similar for dry food, so that he has to work out how to get it? That should keep him occupied for a while.

Original poster
SuperFlyHigh · 17/11/2014 20:47

timtam he does have a treat ball which I've not tried yet...

After Christmas I'll look for a friend for him too I think.

OP posts:
RubbishMantra · 17/11/2014 21:13

Flying frenzy - both my cats adore this toy.

NameChange30 · 17/11/2014 22:20

Our kittens love:
An open cardboard box, upside down with most of one side cut out, and a toy dangling in the gap (attached to the top of the box). It's a free toy we got from the vet, just a small soft toy with a bell, attached by elastic to a plastic wand. They loved chasing it and since we've attached it to the box it keeps them entertained for ages.
An empty shoebox - they love chewing it and jumping in and out.
Ribbons - we have a few thick cotton ones (part of some packaging) which they love chasing and chewing.

You mentioned before that you don't want to worry about your cat getting attacked and money is a factor. I'm pointing out the obvious here but two cats are twice the expense when it comes to food, insurance and vets bills. Just something to bear in mind.

Original poster
SuperFlyHigh · 18/11/2014 08:59

AnotherEmma I had 2 cats (brother and sister) before this one so I know about the expense etc. It didn't help that Snowy bless him was always getting in fights and coming off worse, he had drips, drains etc.

When I got this one (Felix) I did plan on getting a half Bengal kitten from a friend but they'd gone by the time I was ready/interested.

Part of his dare I say it problem is that he is still young.

I'm looking into options though for friend/amusement!

OP posts:
susiedaisy · 18/11/2014 09:05

We spray catnip on our cat toys and scratch posts and find it makes the toys much more interesting for our 6 month old kitten.

Original poster
SuperFlyHigh · 18/11/2014 09:08

Susie will try that he's got a catnip kitten toy that he sometimes plays with.... Think it's lost right now!

OP posts:
givemushypeasachance · 18/11/2014 09:52

Boinks. Boinks are the answer to most of life's problems! Great interactive toy when you spring them across the room, and great for cats to bat around and chase and juggle by themselves too - I have mostly laminate flooring and that is best for easy rolling, but they do okay on carpet as well. Hawkins Bazaar sell them in their pocket money toy section too - exactly the same as the ones from online pet shops!