My cats are bored (and driving me nuts!)

1. 93

   melbelposted 12 years ago

   I think it's mutiny. One cat opens my dresser drawers and takes me clothes and the other cat takes the clothes and puts them in the litter box.
   
   I ordered some magnet locks for my dresser, but they don't work with the kind of dresser I have and I tried this hanger trick:
   http://distilleryimage1.instagram.com/0 … 65e3_7.jpg
   
   Then I tried wrapping a belt around the knobs, she was able to undo it. They are also able to open doors, so I can't just put my clothes in another room.
   
   I also put chairs in front of the dressers so they couldn't get in, but they were able to crack them open just enough to pull clothes out.
   
   They're Bengals that I rescued from a shelter when they were babies and I'm not going to get rid of them, they're my babies. But, however, because they're Bengals, they can't be left alone for very long (very emotionally dependent on humans.) I don't leave them alone for days at a time, but when I go shopping, I come back to all my clothes out of my dresser and then I need to do laundry.
   
   I've tried getting cat videos for them to watch on TV, which seems to help a little. They have lots of toys, too.
   
   I don't want to kennel them and my vet suggests possibly anti-depressants for them, but I feel bad putting them on drugs.
   
   Any thoughts or ideas?

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   1. 60

      thefinalwordposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Everything I am reading right now about cat training talks about redirecting or substitution behavior. To get them to stop, you possibly need to find another activity that appeals more to them. Maybe you could leave them a box of toys that have more appeal than clothes, e.g. toys with catnip in them. Just an idea. I'm no expert. Just learning.

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2. 78

   kirstenblogposted 12 years ago

   Get a video recorder and capture their antics! You could have a youtube hit on your hands
   
   When I was a kid we raised Siamese cats, and had lots of 'em! My adopted mom used a water pistol and squirted them whenever they got into stuff they weren't supposed to. They did NOT like that!
   I remember it working for the most part but then again, I don't know what they did when we were not around!
   
   These days I have a cat that often 'helps' me when I am typing! Such a cheeky little thing she is

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   1. 93

      melbelposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      I have some older videos of my cat doing this.
      
      Here's her opening them
      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1r2DmUSP2Ms
      
      Taking clothes out
      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PCmLDlt5EOo
      
      Her trying to open drawers after I put chairs in front
      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E_TVILV0nN0

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      1. 78

         kirstenblogposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         Flash player is disabled on this computer but I will have to check those out this evening on the laptop! I do enjoy the antics that cats get up to
         
         They may drive us nuts sometimes but thats what I love about them

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3. 62

   jesusmyjoyposted 12 years ago

   My cat is like that to..i use the spray...its at the walmart or a pet store...spray it on area's you don't want them to be.its suppose to make a odor they can't stand.

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4. 59

   GoGreenTipsposted 12 years ago

   You have some tenacious cats! Our likes to pulls treats out of drawers, cabinets and closets. Even learned how to open a latch on a small table...They are smart animals. From what i saw on the video looks like you might be the loser already...

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5. 78

   kirstenblogposted 12 years ago

   If you have neighbor's with kids who wouldn't mind kitty sitting for you sometimes you may be able to get their help, at the same time giving them a way to earn a little pocket money (or sweets or what have you)?

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6. 39

   wen xinghaiposted 12 years ago

   你好，朋友，我来自中国！

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7. 93

   melbelposted 12 years ago

   Does anyone know if the automatic cat laser on ThinkGeek is any good? I'd like to get this. I thought playing with a cat laser would help and I think it's made the problem worse because she tries to wake me up so that I'll play with her. I love my cats, I really do, but they are the neediest cats I've ever met. In fact, I'm playing cat laser with my other cat, Chip, right now. :S
   
   It's weird that they're aware I control the laser.
   
   
   Nilla and the laser

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8. 79

   skyfireposted 12 years ago

   Hang yoyo or wool ball near staircase (if there is any), that will do.

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