Expert: Dear Tabbi - 9/7/2008

Question
My male cat 5 or 6 months old will not stop spaying and defecating on my personal belongings. I am a twenty-two year old male my wife of 4 months is 5 months pregnant at the age of twenty. We have a soon to be 6 yo daughter who likes to wrap him up in blankets like a baby. His litter box is well taken care of it is cleaned every other day or when it looks to full. And he also likes to playfully as well as agressivly attack our feet, hands, heads, and furniture. not just ours but our neighbors as well because he has a liter box in our neighbors apartment as well. what can i do to fix the problem?

Answer
Joe,

Probably the most helpful thing to do about the cat is to get him a kitty friend about his same age and temperment. Your cat sounds like he is bored and is trying to get attention (even if it's bad). Cats NEED a friend to play kitty games with, be companionship and company for them when they are alone, and to snuggle with. 2 are easier to care for than 1 because it takes the pressure off of you to keep him amused.

Also, is he neutered? That would help settle him down a bit.

Play interactive games with him to tire him out. A pet laser light is excellent for that (from PetSmat, Petco, etc.). Play 'throw and fetch' with your cat. Get some furry stuffed mice or shiny craft balls that come in a package at Wal-Mart's craft dept. or a craft store. My cats love to just carry them around when I get tired of throwing them!

A kitty condo in front of a window that he can climb and look out the window would be helpful; maybe a secure cage with gerbils, mice, or lizards that he can watch and safely try to 'hunt', a raw beef rib bone (I have the butcher cut them in half for me) for him to chew on, the fibers help clean his teeth, and they are like a 'fresh kill' to a cat. Hunter type cats love to 'hunt' legs and ankles (because they move). You need to switch to things that are less painful for him to stalk.

I hope this gives you some ideas.
Tabbi