Cat people.. Talk me down....
 

For the most part, I've been a dog person all my life. You may remember my post about Harry, my 10 year old black cocker spaniel, and his blown ACL's a few months ago. We're 6 weeks since his second (left knee) surgery and he's doing very well. With the way he was walking on it the day stitches & cast were removed, the doc says give him 2-3 months and it will be like nothing happened. We only started letting him walk up & down the stairs 2 weeks ago and he's doing just fine. Still a little stiff as the wire limits knee flexibility but otherwise fine. MY issue is with Crazy Leo, the now 4 1/2 month old orange tabby that someone else wanted - and is now almost regretting as well..

We got him at 7 weeks old. Yeah he's cute and I know he's a kitten but there are behavior issues that are wearing thin. Harry is very mellow and docile when it comes to other animals. Even though he's an energetic and healthy 10 years old, he really doesn't want to be bothered by Leo when he's sleeping or laying around. Leo will jump on him, bite at him and the point of concern for me, biting at Harry's back legs when he walks on the tile floor, sometimes causing him to fall. I yell at Harry (as if he understands me lol) to kick his ass. I figure if Harry at least took a piece out of him, so to speak, just once, Leo will stop messing with him.

They sleep together (sometimes) just fine. Most of the time when Harry is just laying around sleeping, Leo just jumps on him. Rather than biting, Harry just gets up and goes to another spot. This is particularly annoying at bed time. Like yesterday as an example. They both were just about asleep when we went to bed around 11pm. With our new bed being much taller than the old and his knees, Harry sleeps on the floor next to our bed on an old comforter & blanket. Leo seems to think bed time is attack Harry time. Other times when he seems calm, he jumps on the bed & sleeps with us, only to start his kamikaze attacks in the middle of the night - not real thrilling for me as I get up at 5am.

The water bottle stops him til he comes out from under the bed again. I've taken to chasing him out of the bedroom with the water bottle then closing the door. Then after a few minutes of being alone in the living room, he starts whining and clawing at the bottom of the door. This has been going on for 10 days now and I'm getting sick of it. We thought by now, Leo would get the message but so far, no luck. Any suggestions before I see if I can land Leo into the Trinity River from my balcony ?!?! (kidding)

get a cheap water pistol (make sure you have appropriate training and licensing). When the cat misbehaves, snap your fingers and then give him a little squirt. The cat will come to associate the finger-snapping with the water. Eventually whenever it hears you snap your fingers it will immediately run, thinking the water is in the air.

Worked for me for all my cats and dogs. I'll bet it would work on toddlers but my wife stopped me when she caught me doing it. I tried to argue referring to B. F. Skinner's "Walden II", but no joy.

Bot, are you "The Cat Whisperer?"

I'll try to do that with our cat, Leo and his little sister Lily. My daughter was using the spray bottle, but we haven't tried associating that with the finger snapping. That makes sense.

They both begin to salivate when I ring the bell, though . . . .

I don't know if it works on older cats. But it works like a charm when they're juveniles to sub-adults ready for potty training and furniture scratching. Works on older puppies, too.

I'll bet it would work on baby primates. Compliant moms are hard to find.

Might I suggest a play mate for Leo? I know you are probably not interested in a second cat but take it from someone who has 5, they like company. We 'rescued' a feral kitten about a year ago. He has taken to one of our other cats and they are like peas in a pod. They sleep together, play quite often and they all leave the 14 year old Shelty alone. I know people say cats a re solitary animals but my experience has shown that to be a load of horse crap. OK, well not entirely. My Siamese is a bitter pissed ff ***** and does not like other cats (not sure she likes the humans either. She does have a weird thing going with the Shelty that involves ass sniffing but that's another thread. The others and past cats I have had all enjoyed the company of other cats and us human care takers.

We have tried the water treatment but do to lack of consistent enforcement (not like I have it in a holster for immediate use) the cats kind of look at me with that kiss my petty furry butt. The 17lb main coon mix looks at us with a "really?" look and could care less about getting sprayed with water.

The spray bottle I use has a pretty good reach.. :D

As less than thrilled about that idea as I am, we have considered it. The woman we got Leo from still has one of his brothers that needs a home....

It certainly isn't for a lack of distractions. We have a kitty tower - we relocated from it's previous spot and he seems to entertain himself in it more, as well as numerous toys and hanging objects to attack. feet with socks on are a fun distraction for him too, always garnering him a full soaking from that spray bottle.. :D

The clear sport bottle caps are great entertainment for ours. a small tin foil ball. A small little plastic wiffle looking ball with bell in it (take it up at night or you will learn why I told you to take the ball up at night).

All most all the things that they cats play with are things they find or were never intended to play with (sport bottle cap). It is what they like and cats like people like different things. The baby brother seems like a very good idea. They will probably play with each other and for a while they will still harass the Harry just because he is there.

One other thing to keep in mind. It might be good for Harry. It will get him moving and gives him something else to occupy his mind. I had a old tom cat way back when. He was a lone cat in the house till be got him some play mates. He was well over 10 yrs old at the time. The younger cats would try and play with him and eventually he would relent and play. He chased them and vice versa. I am convinced that a big reason why he lasted till he was about 18 yrs old was because of them. They kept him active.

BTW, if for what ever reason your cat shows up on my door step, I will hunt you down and rain down unimaginable pain and suffering on your house hold. We have strays that we feed in the back and my wife wants to adopt several of them like we need more than the 5 we already have.

I’ll second that. We have several cats. 2 were brothers. They were the best of friends. One died a few months back due to cancer. Note enough positive things can be said about the positive results of companionship.

I’ll also add that the cat and dog fit the criteria of companionship. In time they will work our their relationship.

If anyone expects a cat to behave like a piece of furniture or with a high degree of obedience (as is the case with dogs) you will never be happy with them.

The last thing I'd do to any animal is abandon them Dave so have no fear of that..

They do have their nice moments. It's not vicious between them at all. I have some pics of them sleeping together that are just sweet as can be. Harry really will not go after Leo unless I get him going... One day at a time.. :D

I know but just in case I wanted to make it clear:D

Like I said... HAMMER THROW into the Trinity from my balcony.. :D

I too would suggest a playmate for your cat. They're all "new" enough not to be comfortable in their living space (yours :D) and therefore have pretty good odds at getting accustomed to another cat and focusing their energy on each other rather than Harry.

here are some suggestions...

1) Create a "CAT FREE ZONE" in a bedroom so that when Harry has had enough, he could be put in that room to get a break from the cat. I have made all our bedrooms into CFZ's

2) Put ice water in the spray bottle. I keep mine in the fridge. ALl I have to do is hold it up and the two DACs (Dumb @ss Cats) will stop what they are doing and run under the nearest piece of funiture. This method worked with my old cat who was a big Maine Coon stray that adopted us. No cat wants COLD water spreayed on it.

I am working on a spray to keep cats and dogs drom chewing/scratching things they are not supposed to get into. If you want, I can send you some. If you put some on Leo's paws and then on Harry's back legs Leo will not want to get near them. The stuff is safe, smells like cloves (to give them a scent deterrent) and is bitter as all get out. It has trained my DACs who are 14 to leave the furniture alone for the first time! As I said, I could send yo ua prototype bottle if you PM me...

Interesting idea... I'll let you know. Someone at work just told me to put lemon juice on the water bottle. Any credence ? Ashton, the cat belonging to my neighbor bolted from my petting him when he took a sniff of the grapefruit I was holding lol.