A lonely cat? (And other problems?)

[KanzureGUEST]

I adopted a cat about a month / month and a half ago, very sweet loving cat.

When we brought him home, he didn't eat from the food bole that much. And, when I sat beside him while he ate..he chumped the food down like crazy. He's not too big on drinking the water either - but I *know* he is thirsty because he will drink a ton of anything that's spilled.

On top of that, I believe he is very lonely. He is always jumping up on everything that he can manage to, (and even some things he can't...). Always meow-ing out. (It seems almost like he is lost in the house). Does he forget where the food is, or where I am? A few weeks ago I started to let him go outside now that he's been (front) declawed. Well well, he met the other neighbor's cat. The other cat does NOT like my cat, and started hissing (I'm sure they've faught a few times already). But what just broke my heart was that my cat was "meowing" at it when it went away. No hissing, etc. Just like a baby cries when its mother goes away..

I don't think my cat was brought away from his (its) mother too soon, he seems pretty normal.

Any suggestions? When he jumps up on stuff, we spray him with water, but, he does it so much he seems immune to it now. (He doesn't like it, sure, but, that doesn't stop him from doing it again...)

[Guest]

Have you considered getting a brother or sister for your lonely cat? 2 is not much more "work" than 1, and they entertain each other all the time. My 2 are inseparable.
I noted that you let your cat out, and he's declawed. I would strongly urge you not to do that, esp since there are other cat's in the neighborhood. If he gets into a fight, he won't be able to defend himself without front claws. So, a declawed cat should really be inside only.
On the water....my cats refuse to drink out of their water bowl. For some reason, they've decided to only drink out of a mug of water on the bathroom sink. (Don't ask me how that happened). Knowing how important water is for cats... I just bought a pretty mug that matched the bathroom.

[MA]

I would also encourage you not to let your cat outside since he has had his claws removed. He has no protection now except to bite, and that can lead to some nasty altercations.

You really cannot stop a cat from jumping, even one with no claws, because it is an inherent trait that they cannot help so you provide him with things to jump on, a large sturdy cat condo for one, you can go to katwallks.com and check out the ramps they make to help your cat exercise.

Everything you describe is normal cat behavior and instead of changing that behavior, you want to redirect it. I would also caution you if you do decide to get a second cat, find one in a shelter that has already been declawed, there are plenty of them available, because otherwise you are putting a cat with weapons in with one that does not have them.

Gobbling food is normal, aversion to water is normal. Invest in an elevated food bowl, or simply prop the bowls up on old telephone books. A Drinkwell fountain for cats will encourage a lot of cats to drink that otherwise would not.

Also, put away the spray bottle, or if you use it, use it and spray it into a corner or on a potted plant so the cat thinks there is prey and stops the behavior you are trying to get him to stop.