I'm at my wit's end...

[slvrwhispr]

Let me say one thing right off the bat: I'm not getting rid of Izzy. I couldn't abandon my pet like that.

That said... she's a holy terror. She has way more energy than I can give her opportunities to blow it off. She has multiple cat tree/condo things. She has boxes of toys. I play with her, Sean plays with her. We give her as much attention as people can possibly give a cat. And she still runs all over the place; it's like she doesn't possess the ability to walk. She has to run. I can't keep anything on a shelf, be it a book or a DVD or anything. Same with tables. I know cat's climb, and the climbing doesn't bother me. But the kicking things off tables and shelves, I don't know how to stop it.

I had the last straw yesterday and today. Somehow, she opened the trunk where I keep all my crocheting/knitting supplies. It has a latch. It latches automatically when closed. I never leave it open. I don't know how she got it open. Anyway, she pulled out a ball of twine and spider-webbed it around literally every vertical object in the living room/dining room. So I put her in the bathroom while I cleaned it up, where she proceeded to open the cabinet, then open and shred a package of four rolls of toilet paper. So while I was cleaning THAT up, she went into the bedroom (where she's typically not allowed, but I was so flustered that I forgot to close the door) and pulled an expensive vase down onto my expensive guitar, breaking both.

What in the world am I doing wrong with this animal? I know she can't comprehend that her "play" is bad, but how do I get her to not destroy everything I own? And how do I discipline her? I know you can't stick her nose in it and tell her no like you can with a dog. How do I get the point across that this is not okay?

I don't know, maybe I just needed to vent. If anyone wants to commiserate with stories of things their cats have done that have driven them to the brink of crazy, feel free. I just don't know how to entertain her enough so she'll play with her toys and not tear up everything else in the house.

[E's]

Some cats are like that... some settle down as they mature, if owners can last that long. My rambunctious deaf cat did, and then when he was about 5 years I got a kitten - same gender... and they became good friends and were good with the puppy when she came along... worked out fine, but that first year with His Royal Highness Prince Xanth was pretty bad. If I had it to do over, I'd get another cat sooner... but of course that may not be feasible for your situation.

[Traci]

Remind me, how old is she, and is she spayed?

Sounds like she doesn't have enough stimulation. Interactive toys are best for a cat who's energetic. Another option is getting her a companion/playmate...cats are generally healthier and happier when they have another cat to bond with and play with.

Kitten-proof your home. Many of us with cats have compromised, putting away valuables and breakables for the safety of the cats and safety of the items.

Pay special attention to those things she's getting into (trunk), cupboards etc, and consider putting child-proof latches on them.

[slvrwhispr]

She's around four months old and not spayed. She's getting fixed after the holidays for SURE. For the most part, the house is kitten-proofed. All the expensive stuff is in the bedroom, which is why the door usually stays closed. Just today, I was losing my mind after the twine and the toilet paper... bah.

Do you have any good, safe interactive toys you can suggest? I look whenever I go to the store, but everything seems to be fairly cheaply made and doesn't look like it would withstand her rough play. I got one of those mice on a string, which is good, but I can't leave it out for her when I'm not here.

[slvrwhispr]

Also, I would love to get another cat, but the apartment complex only allows one pet per unit. We might be out of here as soon as April, in which case I'd love to have another cat for her to be pals with. But I can't do anything until we move.

[Traci]

Just a couple suggestions: a stuffed animal (somewhat smaller than she is)...a cat-track (large plastic circular ring that has a ball inside she can bat at but can't get out)....feather dancer toys (only play with your supervision, keep put away when you're not using it)...battery-operated mice or pull-string toys (latter should be put away when not in use)....talking stuffed animal (that is motion-detected or has a part that "speaks" when pressed)...video catnip (or other cat-related video that has birds, cats, etc that you can play for her)...and of course, interactive playtime with YOU involved.

Spaying might help calm her down a bit, but sounds like she's quite energetic and really requires alot of attention and playtime with you.