Expert: Dear Tabbi - 6/25/2008

Question
QUESTION: I have a kitty about a year and 3 months old. She has all sorts of little quirks (growling at me after she's climbed on my lap to be pet, refusing to cover her poo, attacking one of our older cats --all of which I can handle, sort of) but there is one that just makes me boil:
If left unattended in a room - even for an instant - with a glass or cup or her food bowl (even if there is food still in it) she will immediately knock it over and dump the contents.
She has ample toys and between my 3 roommates and I she gets all sorts of attention and play throughout the day. She isn't looking for water; I have bought a Drinkwell fountain that she loves.
For awhile, I took her to my bf's house in case the problem was boredom and she wanted to play with other kitties (all of which she's known since she was a kitten, including her brother) but she was so fiercely attacking one of the cats that I brought her back here for his sake. She seems contented to be back home to me...
The obvious solution is to not leave cups lying around, I know, but no matter how hard I try, I can't keep one of them from leaving half-full glasses of kool-aid, soda, and water on our coffee table. This has lead to ruined carpet, remotes, and schoolwork, among other things and has caused ample arguments (not all of the things this has destroyed have been mine and they think that since she's my cat that it is my fault, even if they left out the drink...)
Do you have any other ideas at all? I am at my wits end and I refuse to give up the roomies or my sweet brat cat. I need help.


ANSWER: Kristy,

It sounds like you have a bored kitty that likes the attention she gets when she is 'bad'. I would suggest another kitty (like her brother or one of her 'old friends' BUT you have to go through a regular introduction process. Cats no longer recognize siblings after they are weaned. They do not have any concept of 'family'. Cats go by smell and not by sight recognition so she would not recognize her 'friends' because by now they smell different. Cats needs a friend about their same age to play rough with, to play kitty games with, to groom, to cuddle with, and to be company and comfort. An older cat usually won't play with a kitten (or young cat) like they would like.

I am attaching a couple of links on how to go about the introduction process if you decide to get her a friend:
(copy and paste, or type the whole links into your address bar)

http://www.messybeast.com/first-impressions.htm

http://www.littlebigcat.com/index.php?action=library&act=show&item=cattocatintro
It takes about two weeks.

Other than than, to try to stop the cup behavior you need to scare the bejeeses out of her when she get NEAR a cup. Using a rolled up newspaper is good because the noise scares them. Then wait a while and love on her. That way she will learn to be scared to go near a cup but not scared of you.

I hope this helps.

Tabbi


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I have to wait a year before bringing other cat(s) into our house (I'm trying to purchase it from the landlord); we have a 1 animal rule - but I could keep trying to bring her to my bf's for "play dates"...would this be a good idea or would it cause stress/anxiety for all the cats involved?

Also, using a rolled newspaper... How do you use it? Smack it with hand to make noise, swat her lightly with it? throw it at her? I'm not exactly sure what you mean, but I am definitely willing to try it.

Thanks for the help!

Answer
Kristy,

How often do you see the landlord? I would say "Did the previous owners leave their cat? Because one has been coming in that acts like it's familiar with the house. I feel sorry for it so I feed it and it even gets along with my cat!" Something along those lines. Not that I encourage lying, but for your kitty...you do what you have to do! (smile).

Playdates would definitely keep her from being bored! She can't be bored when she is hissing, swatting, growling etc.! Have a large carrier that you can set in the middle of the floor (with her in it) so the other cats can safely come up and smell her and they can get used to each other. Since you don't have the two weeks to let them get acquainted, wait until the inital shock wears off when you get there and all of them relax a little then get some kitty treats (tuna, sardines (in oil), etc.) and feed the cats close to each other. Maybe ONLY give kitty treats when she gets there so the cats will associate her with something pleasant, like super treats and vise-versa, she will associate them  

Interactve play is a good icebreaker. Get a pet laser light and play with all the cats together. They tend to forget about the other cats when they concentrate on the "little red bug". Or pull a long shoe string around for them to chase.

As long as ears aren't pinned back, blood being shed, or major fur flying, the hissing, growling, and slaps are normal, serious, 'kitty communication'.

The rolled up newpaper: Smack it down on the edge of the coffee table near her. Do whatever works the best. Use the same wording all the time when you tell her to keep away. Something like "Get Away From the Coffee Table!" or "No Cups!" Something that she will associate the words to the action (and your re-action). She has to associate what cups and coffee tables are to not do it. And to know that she is going to get that horrible scary noise near her or on her if she does it. They learn pretty fast, but you have to be consistant and your roommates have to be consistant. You can't let her do it once then next time get after her. Sometimes even pick her up and carry her to a cup or the coffee table and put her near it or you touch it and say "NO Cups!" or whatever you decide on and use the newspaper. It's a reminder to her. But ALWAYS love on her after a few minutes so she is not scared of you just of the cups. My cats will still test me periodically when they know they aren't supposed to get on something, but most of the time I can see the onery look in their eyes before they do it and I just have to say "don't even think about it" and they will change their minds.

I'm giving you some ideas and suggestions. You have to do what works best for you and the cat depending on the cat's personality and temperment. Some cats are super stubborn and persistant, and others are very sensitive and if you even raise your voice a little they get their feelings hurt, but they are the easiest to train because they like to please you and they try.

I hope this helps. Let me know how she progresses.

Tabbi