Expert: Tina - 12/21/2008

Question
I have two small kittens.  I have been trying to use tips online to train them, but they seem to be mischievous cats.  I used the spray bottle water technique to keep them off the table, and they keep jumping on the table.  They are chewing wires, and climbing in my christmas tree.  Funny thing is, when I got to pick them up, they know they are not supposed to be there, because they try to run for it.  I have a cage I keep them in when I am sleeping.  I have also used the cage to keep them in there for a "time out".  Is this going to work?  They also seem to kick out their litter and feces out of the litter box.

Answer
Hi Meetra,

It is natural for kittens to be very curious and sometimes destructive. It's your job to make sure your home is kitten proof. Kittens are babies and you can't just train them to be safe. Would you expect a human toddler to know what is safe and what is not in a home? Parents have to use baby gates, child proof locks etc to keep their child safe and the same goes for kittens. Here are some suggestions on how to make your home kitten-proof:

http://cats.about.com/library/howto/htkittenproof.htm

http://www.hdw-inc.com/safety.htm

http://pets.yahoo.com/cats/new-pets/250/kitten-proof-your-home-part-i/

Finally, do not use  a water spray bottle for "training" your kitten. Cats do not respond to punishment and it won't work and will only frustrate you and your cat. She will continue to go up on the counter tops when you are not nearby. If there is an area you want your cat to stay off, such as counter-tops, you have to make the area unpleasant for your kitten. For example put some double sides carpet tape on the counter, the sticky feeling on her paws will discourage her and usually after one or two experiences with the tape she will stop trying to get up there. You can also buy mats at the pet store for this purpose with little prickly patterns on them that cats find unpleasant to walk on.

You might want to buy a book on training your kitten to help out. I recommend "Think Like a Cat: How to Raise a Well-Adjusted Cat--Not a Sour Puss" by Pam Johnson-Bennett

http://www.amazon.com/Think-Like-Cat-Well-Adjusted-Cat-Not/dp/0140288546/ref=sr_...

Merry Christmas!