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Why does my cat destroy everything?
There may be several reasons for this destructive behavior. First of all, be sure to consult your veterinarian to rule out a health problem, especially if your cat ingests the materials he or she is scavenging. Once a medical cause has been ruled out, the reasons listed below may answer your questions.
Is my cat bored?
Your cat needs exerciseto channel his energy, rather than attacking plants and furniture. You need to make sure you offer him daily interactive play sessions as well as independent activities. This will help him “get out his crazy” in an acceptable way. In addition, to keep your cat busy and stimulated and thus help prevent him from becoming a great destroyer, it’s advisable to mimic his natural foraging behavior as much as possible and make him work for his food. It’s rather unusual for a cat living outdoors to go to the grocery store, pick up a good bag of kibble and serve himself his daily portion in a bowl from which he can then eat at will. To meet this need for foraging, a large number of interactive stations are available on the market.
Keeping your cat or kitten busy
Environmental enrichment essentially involves 2 important things. The first is that the cat must be able to exploit all 3 dimensions of the space in which it lives. That’s why it’s essential to give him access to high places. To do this, you can exploit the environment at your disposal and/or add cat trees, wall shelves and wall units designed for cats, which you can easily find on the market. The second is to allow your cat to express its natural behaviors in an acceptable way. For example, your cat needs to claw, so you need to meet this need with one or more scratching posts. Another example is the need of some cats to chew. If your cat gnaws on everything it can get its hands on, give it some gnawing toys to satisfy this need and prevent it from gnawing on furniture legs.
My cat scratches everywhere except on the scratching post!
The first thing to consider is whether the scratching post you’ve bought for your cat meets the essential criteria of a good scratching post (size, height, sturdiness, material used). If the answer is yes, then you need to ask yourself where the scratching post should be placed. If your sofa is more attractive to kittens than its scratching post, there’s something wrong with the post itself or its location. If you correct it and your cat still refuses to use it, it may simply be that she’s afraid of it. So you need to make it attractive to your cat.
How can I stop my cat from scratching my things?
First of all, you need to see if your cat has already damaged anything. If he’s destroyed part of the sofa or broken a piece of furniture, you’ll need to make small repairs so that kitten doesn’t want to go back to clawing in the same places, as the marks left by the cat may encourage him to return. Next, you’ll need to make the surface where the cat has set its sights unpleasant to its eyes. For example, you can use double-sided tape, plastic wrap or aluminum foil to cover the surface. Repellents are generally only marginally or temporarily effective, firstly because they evaporate quickly and secondly because your cat may like the taste or simply not be repelled by the smell. Finally, offer your cat an alternative, i.e. a scratching post that you install in front of the surface previously used by the cat for clawing. When the scratching post is used in an exemplary manner, it can be gradually moved to the desired location and the material used to cover the surface can be removed. Don’t be too strict about where you want to move the scratching post, because if the cat was clawing in a certain place to begin with, it’s because it likes that spot and is trying to let you know that’s where it wants to claw. So don’t put the claw post too far away from that spot.
My kitten tore down the mosquito net
Why does the cat climb into the mosquito net?
Cats love to climb. As mentioned above, they need to be able to use all three dimensions of the space they live in, as height is very important to them. It could be that your cat climbs up your screen to gain height because he likes to look outside and wants to see what’s going on “upstairs”, but it could also be that he does it because he likes it and it “keeps him busy”. It could also be a request to go outside, a demand for your attention or a simple attempt to catch the fly that has just landed on top of the screen.
How can I keep my cat away from windows and patio doors?
The simplest solution is of course to block access to the screen, but in the event that this isn’t possible, or if it’s very hot, for example, you can install a cat tree in front of or near the screen so that kitten climbs up it rather than the screen. If it’s a request to go outside, you can also teach her another way of “asking for the door” and then take her out for a walk or put her in her “Catio” if you have one. Of course, if your cat finds climbing the screen a good way to pass the time or get your attention, you’ll have to offer him something else to distract him and/or get something from you. If your cat’s desire to climb is strong, there are units available in stores, such as shelves or cat-friendly modules, which can be installed so that your cat can climb them wherever he likes.
My cat attacks my plants and just takes a bite!
Why does my cat eat my plants?
Simply because he likes to nibble and/or because he likes the taste of your plants. He may simply chew them, but he may also ingest them.
Are plants dangerous for cats?
There are many more plants that are toxic than non-toxic to cats. We won’t list them here, but you should know that you can contact your vet if you have any doubts about the possible toxicity of a plant you own. Here’s a link to a site that will give you information on plants that are toxic for your cat: https: //www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control/toxic-and-non-toxic-plants
How can I stop my cat from eating my plants?
A cat should simply not have access to your plants if they are toxic, as this is too risky for its health. They should therefore be placed completely out of your cat’s reach, i.e. in a room to which he has no access, or at a height he can’t reach. If you have plants that pose no danger to your cat’s health, but your cat is still interested in them, you need to identify the reason why your plants attract him. Is it to dig up the soil in the pots to do its business? If so, you can simply cover the base of the plant with decorative rocks to discourage your cat from using your plant as a litter box. There are also commercially available protective devices for this purpose. If your cat does chew the leaves, there are plants that can be chewed and ingested without danger, such as oat shoots, catnip, etc., to your cat’s delight. Finally, if your cat plays in the plants to amuse himself and/or attract your attention, offer him more independent activities to keep him entertained and occupied elsewhere.
HoHoHo no! My cat is destroying the tree!
Why does my cat climb the Christmas tree?
Because he likes it! We’ve mentioned several times that cats love to climb and appreciate heights. Cats also love small, dark places where they can curl up for a nap. Your Christmas tree is simply irresistible! And what about all those shimmering decorations, bells and tinsel? It’s imperative that you choose your decorations carefully when you live with a cat, as he could well chew them up and ingest pieces, posing a serious health risk. He could also fall from the top of the tree and end up hanging by his leg or tail from the end of a garland or the electric wire that connects the lights together.
How can I prevent my cat from playing in the holiday decorations?
Unless you can surround your tree with a cage, this is simply impossible. Of course, if you avoid the type of decorations mentioned above, the tree may be less tempting for your cat, but then again, we can’t guarantee anything.
How can I stop my cat from knocking over the tree?
You can attach your tree to the ceiling and wall using fishing line, for example. You can also anchor it by nailing its base into a wooden plank. If you opt for a natural tree, don’t forget to cover the water so that your cat doesn’t drink from it. It can contain sap, bacteria and certain chemicals that can be poisonous. Don’t forget to pick up the needles your tree sheds as you go along, to prevent your cat from ingesting them.
My kitten is chewing fabric and making holes in my clothes.
Where does my cat’s nipping come from?
It’s simply a self-reinforcing, pleasurable behavior for the cat. It’s often accompanied by kneading (cats are said to “paw”). It’s a sign of well-being and good humor. Cats generally always suckle and/or knead on a particular fabric, such as a woollen garment, fleece blanket, etc., and may even drool.
How can I prevent my cat’s head from spinning?
It’s not advisable to prevent your cat from expressing this behavior, simply because it’s safe for him and brings him happiness. You can buy him a “comforter” in the fabric he particularly covets, so that he doesn’t indulge in sucking on something you don’t like. Note that if your cat ingests fabric by nibbling on it, you should consult a vet, as ingestion of inedible material may be linked to a health problem.
My kitten is destroying my curtains!
Why does my cat tear my curtains to shreds?
When “Spider cat” gets into the act, the consequences for your curtains can be catastrophic. As mentioned earlier in this article, cats need to climb and seek out heights. This includes curtains (as well as screens, bookcases, counters, kitchen tables, etc.).
How can I prevent my cat from climbing up the curtains?
The important thing here is to satisfy your cat’s need to climb, just like the cat who climbs through the mosquito net. Once again, it’s possible to install surfaces designed for cats to climb as they please.
Written by Kym Lecault
Animal Health Educator and Technician
Read on:
- 5 mistakes to avoid if your cat wakes you up at night by meowing
- Tips for training your cat who scratches everywhere
- Training your cat: why punishment is not a good method
Conference on stimuli :