I honestly could re home him tomorrow! I hate him!

[Windchangeface]

I’m at breaking point with our cat.
Had him since 8 weeks old and he’s now been with us 4 years. We have done everything for him and totally adored him but he’s suddenly turned into a giant GIANT asshole!
He’s always been a bit unfriendly and only wanted us when he wanted us, fine but now he’s wrecking my house, refuses to have a single door closed on him (dining room we never use, downstairs loo, utility room) rooms he has no interest or business in he’ll scratch all the paintwork off the door if it’s not left open. Moment he gets in he isn’t interested and leaves but not before ripping up ALL the furniture. Just bought a new dresser yesterday and he’s already taken chunks out I’m devastated! (He has all sort of scratching posts/boards he never uses) The cost of all the damage he’s causing is hundreds now! He’s completely ruined our wrap around bannister.

We can’t close our bedroom door else he kicks up SUCH a fuss it wakes everyone up. We are about to have our second baby and don’t trust him at all in a room with a newborn whilst we sleep so no idea what to do.

He runs in and out of my legs on the stairs and has very nearly tripped me on several occasions to the point I’ve physically had to kick him out of the way (12 month old DS in my arms, heavily pregnant) he ignores me 70% of the day then choses the most inconvenient or dangerous 30% to be my shadow. Wakes me up in the night, despite always having plenty of food and water. Refuses to go outside but kicks off to be let out the kitchen door constantly. Never actually leaves though. We had to take away his cat door a year ago as he started dragging in baby mice and torturing them (not killing them just hurting/playing with them).

Try and give him affection or play with him whilst DS naps...not interested. He only wants it when he wants it and that only ever at 3am or when I’m on the stairs/loo.

We’ve tried everything, sprays, toys, diffuser, vet is at a loss too. I never thought I’d say it but at this point I could happily re home him tomorrow as he’s driving me insane!

Will you be reinstating the cat flap?

Will you be reinstating the cat flap?

Exactly. OP was too busy covering up her comments about kicking a cat to address this. Kicking is now nudging. Yeah right.

@Windchangeface

Sorry I’d sort of lost track of this post as crazy busy few days.

didn’t realise how the kicking comment would be taken, as I wrote in last post I had to ‘kick’ him maybe twice after stopping, nudging with my foot and shouting/making noise didn’t work. At which point mine and my sons and bumps safety were In serious danger and I was essentially trapped on the stairs.

By kick I mean ‘a bit harder than a foot nudge’ enough to knock him down a step or two but Absolutely not hard enough to hurt him or even earn a yowl/noise from him. He didn’t seem to think anything of it. I still felt bad about it though.

Anyone who has ever owned a cat who likes to try to trip you up knew exactly what you meant. I suspect half of those commenting have never owned a bastard cat! It almost seems like an attempt on your life! Main thing is that you and your unborn baby and your toddler are all safe and didn't meet an untimely demise by toppling down the stairs. Note of warning. Never post on MN about rehoming a cat. Or mouse. Rat. Ants. Just don't.

@ismiseeire

Don’t worry honestly the nasty crazy cat people comments are water off a ducks back. We’ve given our cat an incredibly comfy life and done our best by him when I suspect many others would have given up a lot earlier.

I came on to ask about behaviour and have a little rant not to question whether I’m abusing my cat. I’m not and if I were I wouldn’t be posting about it online we are very good cat parents as our vet frequently reminds us, I get the impression even the vets find our cat a bit ‘trying’ he bit a veterinary assistant because he was so terrified.

We are on the fence about the cat flap, we’d need to replace the entire door as current one can’t take a sensor activated flap and cat has issues with every other cat in the area (not just cats he has issues with everything that’s not tiny rodents or flies) when we spoke about it DH and I reminded each other how many other problems cat flap posed, him bringing stuff in was just the final straw.

When he did have his flap he used to spend most of his time on the counter top perch watching the flap like he was guarding against other local cats/wildlife coming in. He was obviously terrified of that and also had lots of issues pooing and weeing on the floor which have totally cleared up since closing off the cat flap.
We also remembered it was vets suggestion to try closing off the flap and letting him be a house cat for a while over winter so think we might have a chat to vet again before deciding.

I think summer will be easier as we generally have patio doors/windows open constantly and are around ourselves. He loves going outside when we are outside!