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HELP - No discipline method works for my cat?
I have a 4 year old cat who doesn't seem to learn.
I work at home on a computer and while I am working, my cat will claw at the screen door (our patio door is designed with the screen on the inside instead of the outside).
I have tried:
-Squirt bottle (Two problems: I'm too far away so the stream doesn't reach him and even when I DO spray, he'll run away at first, but then go back to doing it in a few minutes.)
-Bitter Yuck, that spray stuff is supposed to smell/taste really bad to cats (He ignores it)
-Scratching posts (He has many, and uses them, but it doesn't deter him in the least)
-Shouting 'NO' (He'll stop but go back to it in a few minutes)
-Making a point to spend time with him each night to play/pet (Hasn't done anything)
-I can't set loud noise traps because while I am working, other people are sleeping.
The only method that works the least is if I chase him, hold him down, and squirt him in the face a dozen times. This, however, only lasts the night.
I'm honestly getting frustrated. Please, if you have any suggestions, help
Also, my cat has plenty of toys in a vast variety. We have a second cat with whom he gets along, who doesn't have any problems herself.
TL;DR: Every method suggests to me only works as a temporary fix, but the bad behavior is repeated. I need help.
6 Answers
- Anonymous1 decade agoFavorite Answer
Discipling cats doesn't work, full stop. They have no idea why you are shouting, or squirting, or (god forbid) ever hitting - they dont equate your behaviour with theirs. They just see you as a loud, violent giant.
Your cat is attention seeking. You cannot say you made a point to spend time with him each night playing and petting and then say it hasnt worked - because you obviously havnt done it every night in the past, present, or future. Keep at it, and stop trying to 'punish' your poor cat! When he scratches at the door, just pick him up, give him a cuddle, and sit him down with you or in another room. Repeat this, but do not squirt him or shout at him... he doesn't understand that.
Also, you could try a feliway spray or diffuser. It releases a special 'smell' to calm cats down. This should really help you. It works wonders.
- Anonymous5 years ago
I extremely have continually used a pointy or elementary no, searching on the offense, the replace in my voice lets them understand they're doing some thing incorrect. I under no circumstances loved the perception of spraying a cat with water or hitting them. yet another aspect that works nicely at the same time as your cat is doing some thing you don't love is distracting them with a toy. they are going to ignore what they were doing.
- CamsyLv 51 decade ago
You have to be consistent with the squirt bottle method. It takes a few weeks You must catch them every time. If you miss one time you have to start over. If you are not in a place where you can watch her than you need to keep her locked in a another room.
- 1 decade ago
"...my cat has plenty of toys in a vast variety..." A cat is no baby. You should be able to throw her outside now and then. Don't you anyone with a garden? If you let put a chip you can always find her back.
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- 1 decade ago
its no good disciplining a cat, they have no idea why you are attacking them and it will make things worse. you can use the water as an aversion technique.
You could spend more time interacting with him, it sounds like deliberate attention seeking.
Source(s): rescue
