Hi everyone,
I need some advice on new discipline techniques or possible medication for my cat, Slinky. He is a year and a half old, neutered, and indoor-only. I also have another male cat, Tiger, who is 2 years old, also neutered and indoor-only.
Slinky will go on hyper rampages once or twice a day where he always ends up damaging things. He's broken vases, glasses, electronics, window screens, etc etc. Additionally, he will play too rough with Tiger (biting and dominating), and Tiger will hiss and cry, but Slinky will continue despite Tiger's clear alarm.
I have tried all the forms of discipline I can think of: squirting him with water square in the face, swatting him hard on the nose, making loud noises with pans or garbage bags, locking him in the bathroom for 15-30 minutes. None of it seems to help. Slinky views these punishments as a game, and he continues with the hyper behavior (even after being in the bathroom for an extended period) until he wears himself out maybe an hour later.
What can I do? Are there other forms of discipline I haven't tried yet? Should I put him on some kind of medication? Aside from these hyper rampages, he is a sweet cat, so I don't think he is a lost cause, but life would definitely be improved for Tiger and me if Slinky could calm down a bit.
I appreciate your help!
hyper cat where discipline doesn't work
Re: hyper cat where discipline doesn't work
Why are you so fixated on discipline?!
It's not discipline your kitty needs, it is patience, from YOU.
The more you discipline him, the more he is going to react.
The solution: Stop with the discipline.
All of the forms of discipline you've given thus far, and particularly if consistent are borderline abuse. I'm not saying you're abusing him, but continued in this manner, it is abusive in the form of taking out your frustration with non-productive methods and he suffers. Don't squirt him with a water bottle in the face, do not "swat" him hard on the nose, stop making loud noises and confining him in the bathroom for long periods of time. You've created an agressive and defiant cat by doing so, and through NO fault of his. Squirting a cat in the face IS abusive however, and that needs to stop. If the cat moves in a split second and you happened to squirt him in the eye (or ear), you could cause considerable damage.
Some cats are more energetic than others and demand a stimulating environment. It's up to you to provide for an interesting environment and involve yourself in his playtime and activity, and devote your time to his needs. Try spending more time with him and making it quality time so that eventually, he is a more adjusted and happy cat.
Choose toys that are stimulating for him, such as interactive toys, or those that require your involvement. Provide a safe cat tree for him to play/exercise on. Provide a safe window in which he can look out of. Spend at least two times a day with activity where you are actually involved in the activity (fetch, hide-n-seek, actually getting on the floor and playing with toy mice with him etc etc). It sounds like he's begging for your attention and just wants someone to play with him and help him expend his energy. (do NOT play non-stop or overexert him, just play for about 10 minutes at a time, allow to rest, and if he still wants to play, pick up the playtime activity again about a half hour later)
Cat-proof your home. If you're going to have pets, you need to understand you're going to have things broken, and even ruined on occasion, just as you would expect with young children. If you don't want something broken, or have a valuable item, put it away so the cats cannot get to it. Your kitty didn't get into trouble deliberately or choose to break that vase to spite you, it was an accident, please accept that for what it is.
If there are times he plays too rough with your other cat, try seperating the cats physically, saying in a firm voice "Slinky, NO", or "Slinky, BE NICE" while Tiger is still close by so that he associates (but no yelling). If the behavior continues, then accompany the command with one squirt from the squirt bottle and immediately divert his attention away from Tiger. Be consistent and do not change the command or your actions. Do not choose another form of reprimand because this will defeat the entire purpose of teaching him to recognize or associate the command with unwanted behavior.
DO reward him for good behavior with a special treat or a special playtime toy or playtime session with him. If you're consistent in his activity and playtime and routine, he will start to look forward to it. But, you have to be patient, forgiving and understanding of your cat's behavior. Do NOT mistake his energy spurts for "getting into trouble", it sounds like he simply wants your attention to his very basic needs: affection, attention with love/bonding/play/quality time.
There is no need for medication, and in fact, medication is only a mask for the true underlying problem that never gets addressed. Remember that these medications are the same as in humans, they are tricyclic antidepressants and are not without significant risks. They should only be used in extreme cases and recommended only by a vet who understands cat behavior and addresses things you can do yourself before resorting to medications.
Please exercise a little more patience and forgiveness with Slinky, he isn't trying to spite you, he is begging for your time with him in positive engagement.
It's not discipline your kitty needs, it is patience, from YOU.
The more you discipline him, the more he is going to react.
The solution: Stop with the discipline.
All of the forms of discipline you've given thus far, and particularly if consistent are borderline abuse. I'm not saying you're abusing him, but continued in this manner, it is abusive in the form of taking out your frustration with non-productive methods and he suffers. Don't squirt him with a water bottle in the face, do not "swat" him hard on the nose, stop making loud noises and confining him in the bathroom for long periods of time. You've created an agressive and defiant cat by doing so, and through NO fault of his. Squirting a cat in the face IS abusive however, and that needs to stop. If the cat moves in a split second and you happened to squirt him in the eye (or ear), you could cause considerable damage.
Some cats are more energetic than others and demand a stimulating environment. It's up to you to provide for an interesting environment and involve yourself in his playtime and activity, and devote your time to his needs. Try spending more time with him and making it quality time so that eventually, he is a more adjusted and happy cat.
Choose toys that are stimulating for him, such as interactive toys, or those that require your involvement. Provide a safe cat tree for him to play/exercise on. Provide a safe window in which he can look out of. Spend at least two times a day with activity where you are actually involved in the activity (fetch, hide-n-seek, actually getting on the floor and playing with toy mice with him etc etc). It sounds like he's begging for your attention and just wants someone to play with him and help him expend his energy. (do NOT play non-stop or overexert him, just play for about 10 minutes at a time, allow to rest, and if he still wants to play, pick up the playtime activity again about a half hour later)
Cat-proof your home. If you're going to have pets, you need to understand you're going to have things broken, and even ruined on occasion, just as you would expect with young children. If you don't want something broken, or have a valuable item, put it away so the cats cannot get to it. Your kitty didn't get into trouble deliberately or choose to break that vase to spite you, it was an accident, please accept that for what it is.
If there are times he plays too rough with your other cat, try seperating the cats physically, saying in a firm voice "Slinky, NO", or "Slinky, BE NICE" while Tiger is still close by so that he associates (but no yelling). If the behavior continues, then accompany the command with one squirt from the squirt bottle and immediately divert his attention away from Tiger. Be consistent and do not change the command or your actions. Do not choose another form of reprimand because this will defeat the entire purpose of teaching him to recognize or associate the command with unwanted behavior.
DO reward him for good behavior with a special treat or a special playtime toy or playtime session with him. If you're consistent in his activity and playtime and routine, he will start to look forward to it. But, you have to be patient, forgiving and understanding of your cat's behavior. Do NOT mistake his energy spurts for "getting into trouble", it sounds like he simply wants your attention to his very basic needs: affection, attention with love/bonding/play/quality time.
There is no need for medication, and in fact, medication is only a mask for the true underlying problem that never gets addressed. Remember that these medications are the same as in humans, they are tricyclic antidepressants and are not without significant risks. They should only be used in extreme cases and recommended only by a vet who understands cat behavior and addresses things you can do yourself before resorting to medications.
Please exercise a little more patience and forgiveness with Slinky, he isn't trying to spite you, he is begging for your time with him in positive engagement.
..........Traci
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milkyway430
- Posts: 3
- Joined: Tue Sep 04, 2007 3:32 pm
Re: hyper cat where discipline doesn't work
Traci --
I appreciate all your feedback, and I feel compelled to tell you that I do do most of what you've suggested. I do not appreciate your presumption that I am abusing my pet simply because I've tried the means of discipline suggested in these very forums. I do not abuse my cats; I squirt him once and say NO, I do not overdo it. Please take the time to learn the situation before you make accusations.
Additionally, I spend a lot of time with Slinky. I work at home, and I devote much quality time to playing with him and petting him. He has many toys -- from balls to play mice to feathers hanging from door knobs. There's plenty of places to climb and many safe windows to look out of, and of course there's Tiger to play with as well. Slinky does take advantage of all these things. As such, I disagree entirely that his behavior is a cry for attention, and I think something else needs to be done.
I appreciate all your feedback, and I feel compelled to tell you that I do do most of what you've suggested. I do not appreciate your presumption that I am abusing my pet simply because I've tried the means of discipline suggested in these very forums. I do not abuse my cats; I squirt him once and say NO, I do not overdo it. Please take the time to learn the situation before you make accusations.
Additionally, I spend a lot of time with Slinky. I work at home, and I devote much quality time to playing with him and petting him. He has many toys -- from balls to play mice to feathers hanging from door knobs. There's plenty of places to climb and many safe windows to look out of, and of course there's Tiger to play with as well. Slinky does take advantage of all these things. As such, I disagree entirely that his behavior is a cry for attention, and I think something else needs to be done.
Re: hyper cat where discipline doesn't work
I knew there was potential for taking me wrong, which is why I said specifically "I'm not saying you're abusing him"...
And, you didn't mention in the original post what other methods you've tried. I didn't assume you did beyond anything you posted.
If you used any methods mentioned on this forum, most of us have indicated only one squirt at a time from the water bottle, and time-outs consisting of only about 10 minutes at a time, no longer. I'm not sure what other methods you are referring to. Swatting on the nose and squirting squarely in the face have been advised against many times in this forum.
If you don't think Slinky is needing attention, then what do you feel he is doing, or what does he need? It's not just a matter of giving attention, it is in the "manner" of attention that is given, cats are specific with their needs, some are clingy and want more from you than other cats. Some cats are perfectly content with attention from their owners but little playtime activity, etc. All cats are different and it's up to us to find what the individual needs. What do YOU think he needs specifically?
And, you didn't mention in the original post what other methods you've tried. I didn't assume you did beyond anything you posted.
If you used any methods mentioned on this forum, most of us have indicated only one squirt at a time from the water bottle, and time-outs consisting of only about 10 minutes at a time, no longer. I'm not sure what other methods you are referring to. Swatting on the nose and squirting squarely in the face have been advised against many times in this forum.
If you don't think Slinky is needing attention, then what do you feel he is doing, or what does he need? It's not just a matter of giving attention, it is in the "manner" of attention that is given, cats are specific with their needs, some are clingy and want more from you than other cats. Some cats are perfectly content with attention from their owners but little playtime activity, etc. All cats are different and it's up to us to find what the individual needs. What do YOU think he needs specifically?
..........Traci
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milkyway430
- Posts: 3
- Joined: Tue Sep 04, 2007 3:32 pm
Re: hyper cat where discipline doesn't work
Despite saying,"I'm not saying you're abusing him", you clearly made other references to abuse later, and that's why I take offense. And a brief post about discipline is clearly not going to encompass all my interactions with my cats.
I'm not sure why Slinky is acting out. I adopted him when he was 3 months old, and he was already hyper, over-persistent, and aggressive (the woman who raised him said he'd been that way from the start). Thus, he was either born this way or some experiences very early shaped him to be like that. He was the smallest of his litter, so perhaps he had to defend/prove himself/act out for attention to his larger brothers? When I adopted him, I was careful to devote a lot of attention to him (playing and cuddling), but it didn't affect his behavior much. His acting out has lessened slightly since then, but it still causes a lot of damage and he still hurts Tiger.
I'm not sure why Slinky is acting out. I adopted him when he was 3 months old, and he was already hyper, over-persistent, and aggressive (the woman who raised him said he'd been that way from the start). Thus, he was either born this way or some experiences very early shaped him to be like that. He was the smallest of his litter, so perhaps he had to defend/prove himself/act out for attention to his larger brothers? When I adopted him, I was careful to devote a lot of attention to him (playing and cuddling), but it didn't affect his behavior much. His acting out has lessened slightly since then, but it still causes a lot of damage and he still hurts Tiger.
Re: hyper cat where discipline doesn't work
When's the last time he had a health exam?
Can we at least try to establish why you think he is "acting out"? If he's acting out, what is he acting out to? What prompts the behavior? What is occuring directly before the behavior? Are there certain things that occur in the environment or something in his routine that sets him off? Is it a person, an event, a certain time of day, etc. Does the other cat initate play or any other invitation to play/play-fight, interaction etc?
I'm finding it difficult to understand why you think he's acting out, and not actually wanting attention. He sounds like not only a cat with alot of spirit but is highly energetic and needs to expend the energy in a way that is satisfying to him (again, needing certain types of stimulation).
Kittens weaned too young can indeed be different, but that doesn't mean it's a bad thing, they simply did not have enough time with their mother and siblings to develop social skills and interactive behavior. It's difficult for these kittens to be transitioned without their siblings and despite attention and love you gave him when you adopted him, he has a learned behavior. He is also only slightly over a year old, and may have the tendency to still act like a kitten if he is highly energetic. Nothing wrong with this, it keeps him active and healthy and yes, you will have to find more stimulating things to keep him entertained. You know him best and you know his likes and dislikes. Start with a favorite toy or playtime activity, what does he enjoy the most about the toy or playtime activity? When is he at his happiest and most content?
How does the other cat interact with him, and do they bond at all at other times? Are there other members of the family (human) who share in the responsibilities of the care, feeding, play, etc? Do both cats get equal attention and are treated exactly the same?
Can we at least try to establish why you think he is "acting out"? If he's acting out, what is he acting out to? What prompts the behavior? What is occuring directly before the behavior? Are there certain things that occur in the environment or something in his routine that sets him off? Is it a person, an event, a certain time of day, etc. Does the other cat initate play or any other invitation to play/play-fight, interaction etc?
I'm finding it difficult to understand why you think he's acting out, and not actually wanting attention. He sounds like not only a cat with alot of spirit but is highly energetic and needs to expend the energy in a way that is satisfying to him (again, needing certain types of stimulation).
Kittens weaned too young can indeed be different, but that doesn't mean it's a bad thing, they simply did not have enough time with their mother and siblings to develop social skills and interactive behavior. It's difficult for these kittens to be transitioned without their siblings and despite attention and love you gave him when you adopted him, he has a learned behavior. He is also only slightly over a year old, and may have the tendency to still act like a kitten if he is highly energetic. Nothing wrong with this, it keeps him active and healthy and yes, you will have to find more stimulating things to keep him entertained. You know him best and you know his likes and dislikes. Start with a favorite toy or playtime activity, what does he enjoy the most about the toy or playtime activity? When is he at his happiest and most content?
How does the other cat interact with him, and do they bond at all at other times? Are there other members of the family (human) who share in the responsibilities of the care, feeding, play, etc? Do both cats get equal attention and are treated exactly the same?
..........Traci
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mamabear
- Formerly mamaof4soon
- Posts: 589
- Joined: Wed Apr 18, 2007 10:39 pm
- Location: The Garden State
sorry but everything traci said I would have as well although i'd been a bit blunter in saying so.
So now I have to ask this...why do you think anything is wrong with your cat. So he is playing and running,chasing,breaking things...Sounds very normal to me. Just because the other kitty doesnt do it, does that mean the one who is is acting act or maybe the one that is NOT doing it is just a calmer kitty?
Oh and yes I would have to say swatting A CAT on the nose ,ummm this is a cat not a dog(not that I'd do that either) cats do what they do and we adjust. Better toys and more play with you. Or supervised play with you is best. But swatting a cat on the nose will only upset the cat and let me tell ya they are very spiteful when they want to be. There is no need for doing that NOR is there a need to squirt water into his face. Oh MY GOD! wrong wrong wrong... Now the cat knows you are the one doing it and wont care about the behavior problem you seem to think he has. He will only know that YOU are being mean and spiteful yourself.
MIght want to put away your vases and valuable things and kitty prove the house before something seriously breaks that you love. Patience is best and love and understanding. He is only a cat not a child or adult that understands why you are hurting it.
So now I have to ask this...why do you think anything is wrong with your cat. So he is playing and running,chasing,breaking things...Sounds very normal to me. Just because the other kitty doesnt do it, does that mean the one who is is acting act or maybe the one that is NOT doing it is just a calmer kitty?
Oh and yes I would have to say swatting A CAT on the nose ,ummm this is a cat not a dog(not that I'd do that either) cats do what they do and we adjust. Better toys and more play with you. Or supervised play with you is best. But swatting a cat on the nose will only upset the cat and let me tell ya they are very spiteful when they want to be. There is no need for doing that NOR is there a need to squirt water into his face. Oh MY GOD! wrong wrong wrong... Now the cat knows you are the one doing it and wont care about the behavior problem you seem to think he has. He will only know that YOU are being mean and spiteful yourself.
MIght want to put away your vases and valuable things and kitty prove the house before something seriously breaks that you love. Patience is best and love and understanding. He is only a cat not a child or adult that understands why you are hurting it.
Almost 7 years in remission from Graves disease and no meds!
Re: hyper cat where discipline doesn't work
Working in a cat shelter I have found that cat personalities are as varied as humans! Slinky is just being Slinky, you will have to get used to it. Just don't ever give him catnip, LOL!
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mamabear
- Formerly mamaof4soon
- Posts: 589
- Joined: Wed Apr 18, 2007 10:39 pm
- Location: The Garden State
Re: hyper cat where discipline doesn't work
will be cracking up the rest of the night over that one!Cindy wrote:Just don't ever give him catnip, LOL!
Almost 7 years in remission from Graves disease and no meds!
Re: hyper cat where discipline doesn't work
Just have to add that dogs do that also! We call it the "zoomies!"