Feisty kitten :-/

[Deleted User]

They are definitely settling in a bit better now, and have already learned it's not a good idea to run up our legs. I have spent a lot of time with one in particular, touching her paws and having her bat my hands, but saying 'ouch!' and ignoring her if she has claws out, and then praising if she keeps claws in. It really is working!

They have just finished a 'mad hour', chasing around the room and pouncing on each other. I know now that it's best to stay out of the way when they feel like this, but can sit to one side and they are staying away from me during their play. Then when they calm down they come for a cuddle (I love that bit best!). I'm amazed they don't hurt one another to be honest, it looks pretty vicious!

My most pressing problem at the moment - well, two actually - is how best to protect the sofa (it's leather and they love to play on it unfortunately), and keeping them off the table (seems like a 'top cat' kind of game). Persistently taking them off isn't working. A water gun didn't work either. I've tried a 'pet control' spray that has helped keep them off the curtains but hasn't worked anywhere else.I'm sure they don't know they are doing anything wrong, so it's just how else to discourage them?

We are growing really close to them now, and I just know they are going to be wonderful members of our little family!

puddy

please dont pinch your cat. animals will react to what other animals would do if play fighting got out of hand, squeal. high pitched squeal, try it a few times, you'll soon see her recoil and realise she has hurt you. but it needs to be when shes doing it

[Deleted User]

puddy wrote: »

animals will react to what other animals would do if play fighting got out of hand, squeal. high pitched squeal, try it a few times, you'll soon see her recoil and realise she has hurt you. but it needs to be when shes doing it

I keep trying the 'squeal' approach, and one of them seems to realise, but it's taking longer for the other one... when they play fight together thay often squeal (sounds painful!) but always come back for more! So at least in their case, it doesn't seem to be much of a deterrant!

We'll keep trying though

Jesthar

[quote=[Deleted User];41080298]My most pressing problem at the moment - well, two actually - is how best to protect the sofa (it's leather and they love to play on it unfortunately), and keeping them off the table (seems like a 'top cat' kind of game). Persistently taking them off isn't working. A water gun didn't work either. I've tried a 'pet control' spray that has helped keep them off the curtains but hasn't worked anywhere else.I'm sure they don't know they are doing anything wrong, so it's just how else to discourage them?

We are growing really close to them now, and I just know they are going to be wonderful members of our little family![/QUOTE]
Your best bet with the sofa if they are doing damage is to cover it with a throw - at least for now. If they aren't doing damage (clawing at it etc.), then unless you don't want them up there you may be alright. My best friend has two cats, and recently acquired leather sofas. One of the cats loves leather almost as much as catnip, and curls up one them as often as possible - BUT they both know that scratching will get them a shout and (for serious offences) a water squirt or a bottom-smack, depending on whether or not the water bottle is to hand

If 'Top Cat' is a favorite game, you could try one of those more complicated scratching posts with a multiple levels and platforms. Again, my friend has one of these, and her two love sitting on it.

I was fortunate enough to acquire my Charlie (also a girl!) from friends when she was a few years old, and she was already pretty well trained. My house is much smaller that theirs was, so she is allowed more freedom than with them (she wasn't allowed upstairs at theirs, for example, but I do allow it - and love my morning cuddles!), but she knows the rules - no scratching anything but her post, kitchen worktops are out of bounds at all times, and she's not allowed on the sofa if I have food. If she is found on any surface she isn't supposed to be on (which hasn't happened in ages), she is ordered 'OFF!' and given a firm push to help her on her way. Any play-biting or clawing (which is very rare!) during cuddles also results in a swift ejection onto the floor and a sharp admonition.

I don't use a water spray, too much risk of hitting something electrical in my place, but I find a firmly delivered 'NO' or 'Charlie!' enough to curb most bad behaviour. If not, a one-fingered tap on the nose is enough to quell persistant whinging (such as when wanting to be fed three hours ahead of schedule!), and truly naughty behaviour, such as furniture or carpet clawing, earns a single bottom smack. On the very rare occasions that is required, though, she always gets a cuddle about half an hour later, so she knows she is forgiven.

925dancer

You should never ever ever discipline any animal with smacks or taps! :eek:

Positive reinforcement is the only way to train any animal (and children as it goes but that's another debate) and ignoring bad behaviour as much as possible (obviously if they're slowly destroying your leather sofa, ignoring them will be a bit tricky).

Unfortunately though, there are some surface that some cats will just love. For some it's wallpaper, others door frames, some velvet, another your very expensive leather sofa.

You can get sticky strips for furniture, cats hate stickiness, this will help break the habit. invest in a good activity centre/tree or make one and when you catch them scratching tell them firmly no and put them on the catnip and Feliway sprayed cat tree.

Whatever you do, please please please never ever under any circumstances hit your cat, it's basically cruelty, unnecessary and will only instill fear not good behaviour.

[Deleted User]

Thank you jesthar and 925dancer. You have both given me some great ideas . I will definitely invest in a multi-level scratching post - they would LOVE it! I'm sure that the trick to keeping them off the table will be to provide them with a more appealing alternative, and that would be just the trick. I might even bring the catnip out, to help the transition along

I know that punishment such as smacking/tapping is an emotive subject so don't really want to get into a discussion about it. Just to say that I'm sure we all love our cats and want to do the very best for them. Sometimes it's also a case of wanting to keep them safe, and needing the tools to do that. For instance, one of our kittens launched herself off the back of a dining chair at our serving hatch and stunned herself slightly in the process.... another good reason to keep her off the table! They aren't naughty, just curious and instinctive, and extremely persistent! And they need some boundaries that they know they should not cross (in my opinion) - mother cat would tell them off, wouldn't she? Mind you, I tried hissing, and it made not a jot of difference!!!! Obviously it's not the same coming from a human!

I've never heard of sticky strips, but that sounds like another great idea.... I've put a heavy throw on the sofa, but it seems to have encouraged them to play fight on it even more - I guess they like the feel of it even better now it's fabric covered. And the claws can still go through a little bit. I'll look for sticky strips.

Thanks again, this thread is extremely helpful