Oυr cats Ɩονе tο jump up οח shelves, dressers, tһе mantle, tһе Christmas tree etc. аחԁ һаνе іח tһе process ԁеѕtrοуеԁ a lot οf іmрοrtаחt things. Wе һаνе һаԁ two decapitated wise men, one decapitated Joseph, two rυіחеԁ stocking holders, аt Ɩеаѕt fifteen broken ornaments, аחԁ a pointsettia plant torn tο shreds. Aחԁ tһаt’s јυѕt tһіѕ Christmas! Wе аrе spraying ουr cats wіtһ a сοƖԁ water bottle whenever tһеу ԁο something tһеу shouldn’t, bυt іt really isn’t working аt all. Putting away οr getting rid οf ουr breakables isn’t something wе want tο ԁο. Iѕ tһеrе another effective method tһаt wе саח υѕе tο discipline ουr cats?
Our Christmas cards this year said…”Oh Christmas tree OH Christmas tree, your ornaments are history.’
Anyway, we have 4 cats and my husband has no patience for them wrecking things. We use a loud, firm voice (saying NO!!!) and a mild ‘wop’ on the cat’s bum. No, we’re not animal abusers. I couldn’t put into words how much I love our cats. They’re like kids though, a little smack on the bum goes a long way and make sure you discipline consistantly.
I have heard cats don’t like pepper – maybe put some around you breakables? I think you can get spary that they dont like too – i believe you spray the object and it prevents them going near it. You could try training them??? My cat hates his fur being combed but we tried to give him a treat afterwards so he associates it with something good,we also make sure he has his treats in a particular place and he knows where to go at treat time. I am not sure if you could adapt this – maybe putting them down evey time they climb up even if you need to do this lots of times to strat with – when the cat gives up give them a treat and make a fuss of them.
I really don’t have any other ideas – Good luck
There are other methods. One thing I have read is that cats do not like the smell of citrus, so you could put orange peels around something, though that is not very sanitary. You may putting aluminum foil on the floor or surface of the area you dont want the cats, as apparently they do not like the noise of the aluminum foil.
There are sprays that you can use, you spray whatever area you want to keep the cats away from, but frankly I have had no luck with that, but then again, it might work in a Christmas tree situation, but they are pepper based, and when you spray them, its rough on your nose and throat for a few minutes if you arent careful.
I know that someone makes a device that works like a motion detector, and when the cat activates it, it emits an ultra-sonic sound that is suppossed to make them very uncomfortable, but I am not able to find one for sale, except on the internet.
Good luck, and if you find something that works for sure, please let me know!!!
I get a lot of mileage out of a loud NO! and standing up and just looking menacing.
I don’t know what they think might happen, but when I quickly stand up with my best I-hate-cats look, the guilty party stops what it’s doing, freezes for a second, looks at me in terror, and _flees_. I almost feel a bit guilty about it. Whatever the NO! of the month is usually stops after only a fairly small amount of that.
NB: I do not actually hate cats.
‘Feliway’ spray (www.feliway.com) pretty much cured the scratching in the wrong places here, too. Might be worth a try if they seem even a bit stressed.
Not that I don’t sympathise with your ornament problems, but I had a good laugh at “two decapitated wise men, one decapitated Joseph, two…etc” — thanks.
A tin can filled w/coins will scare them. Double sided tape works great to train them to stay off counters, dressers, etc., they hate the feeling of it on their paws. They also may be looking for ways to expand some excess energy so make sure to take time each day to play with them. Cats love heights so make sure they have a cat tree or accessibilty to high spots.
My cat unexpedtedly bit me one time, he was not being mean but being playful, anyways, without even thinking my reflexes took over and I smacked him pretty good. I felt so horrible after, but like I said my reflexes took over before I had time to think because it hurt very bad. Needles to say, he never ever bit me again. Instead, when he wanted to get my attention, he would very very lightly bite me on the arm, it was so sweet. Now I am certainly not saying you should smack your cat around, however, a pat on the butt and a stern voice goes along way, they will learn. Another thing, it sounds like your cats might be young, they will settle down as they mature
I have used a fly “cat” swatter on my cats. I have taught them the words down and no. When I say either word without results all I have to do is to get the swatter and they obey very quickly.
Our cats decided to try and climb the christmas tree, they got a spank on their bum and a loud no, they didn’t try it again…
Since my 18 year old cat was a kitten, I’ve always yelled “NO!” and immediately clap my hands loudly once. That’s always worked on her.
i agree with ajkoolkat….a fly “cat” swatter. we have an orange one that we just shake at them when they are naughty. none of my cats have ever been swatted with it, but they run from it anyway