Topic: Is there anything I can do about this? (Read 3757 times)

JackSpratt · « **Reply #22 on:** August 17, 2007, 11:18:15 AM »

Yep, we use the squirters too.

We have them next to us at meal times so we can guard our food!

Ellie · « **Reply #21 on:** August 16, 2007, 11:37:59 AM »

I know exactly how you feel Karen

Guinness and Widget are exactly the same

I tried the water gun and it works on Widget but Guinness thinks it's a game and tries to catch the water

Now it's just a case of lifting him down with a very stern NO!! sometimes it works sometimes it doesn't

Might try the newspaper trick

Hippykitty · « **Reply #20 on:** August 16, 2007, 10:53:59 AM »

That story about Grissel is true, just in case you were doubting schuey.

You're tantalising Henry a little in the video, fancy putting buttered toast in front of him and expecting to leave it alone. Tut tut...... you'll have to learn not to tease.

schuey100 · « **Reply #19 on:** August 16, 2007, 01:52:30 AM »

When I first got Henry he was the same. I ended up putting really hot chillis and tabasco sauce in the food so when he ate it....

Kidding....

He'd often jump on my food but after a while he just tried being sneaky. Here he is: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8_rlafpgoLw

My solution was to feed him at the same time as I had my meals. He then ignored my food and sat at his bowl waiting for his own. Now we have no problems at all although he knows that if the fridge opens at around 9pm there might be a little treat for him so he does tend to hang out there in the hope that a little bit of ham might fall his way

Gill (sneakiefeline) · « **Reply #18 on:** August 15, 2007, 23:56:40 PM »

Hippykitty · « **Reply #17 on:** August 15, 2007, 11:13:09 AM »

Years ago, I had a beautiful long haired tortoiseshell and white cat called Grissel. She was terrible for pinching food, tea and coffee if I left it for a moment. If I put some tea in a saucer, she wasn't interested, only if it was in my mug!

One night, I made a curry and put too much chilli powder in it. I couldn't eat much - it was far too hot. Anyway, I put it on the table while I sat and watched the telly. I spied Grissel sneaking up to it and was about to tell her off, but thought "no, let her try it, serve her right for pinching my food!"

She licked it, shook her head, looked shocked and disgusted and headed straight for her water bowl!

She was a little more reluctant to steal food after that!

blackcat · « **Reply #16 on:** August 12, 2007, 20:21:48 PM »

I think the main problem is you are outnumbered

but truly, patience and consistency does win out in the long run - at least they learn faster than kids who keep trying it on until they leave home (and sometimes after that!!)

karenjet · « **Reply #15 on:** August 12, 2007, 20:07:29 PM »

Thanks everyone. I'll try hitting the table with newspaper and blowing in their faces. I've been doing that with Meeko for his biting and he does stop eventually for a while. Tigger stops after the first time you put him down, but with the kittens they jump straight back up, sometimes when I'm putting them down they're trying to cling onto my clothes to climb back up

Lol, no I wouldn't put up with that from the kids, Lynn. But they can talk so they understand more, and wouldn't dare do it in the first place to be honest.

Daisy did burn herself on the cooker top last week. It was turned off but still hot, her paw must have touched it for a split second and then she bolted up the stairs, she gave it a lick and it seemed right as rain, wasn't even red. I saw it all happening too but it was too quick to stop her. They can jump right up there themselves now.

No problem, Gill, no rush!

ccmacey · « **Reply #14 on:** August 12, 2007, 18:41:15 PM »

Kittys are lovely

blackcat · « **Reply #13 on:** August 12, 2007, 16:02:20 PM »

rarely have cats that steal from the plate - in fact can leave plate on floor and they ignore it (OK, Smidgen is still in training on this, but other cats in the past). My big challenge has always been getting the liver chopped for lambs fry. With siamese or orientals in the house, a slim body fits nicely between you and the counter and the next thing you know a little monkey paw is periscoping around on the chopping board, in danger of being severed. Many's the time I have had to lock them outside just to get a bit of lambsfry for myself...

Tiggy's Mum · « **Reply #12 on:** August 12, 2007, 15:28:40 PM »

I think persevering with the putting them down and saying No method is the best bet, must be really hard to do it with 4 of them though

That method has worked for Riley and the dinner table but I'm still trying to stop him from jumping up on the kitchen work surfaces, it's not the hygiene thing that bothers me as there's dettol surface spray for that, I'm worried that he'll burn himself on the cooker top

Lucas continues to be oblivious that either the table or worksurfaces exist and hasn't shown the slightest bit of interest in either!

Gorgeous pics as always

Looks like they are having fun with the Gym

Pinkbear (Julie) · « **Reply #11 on:** August 12, 2007, 06:07:02 AM »

I have fond memories of my Tigger (RIP

). At meals times, I'd be eating at the table and this tabby paw would just appear from the other side, creep towards my plate and start to grapple round to see what it could find. I think he thought that if he couldn't see my face, I wouldn't see his paw...

Gill (sneakiefeline) · « **Reply #10 on:** August 12, 2007, 02:36:06 AM »

Oh cat that made me laugh cos so kocka like.

You couldnt get a pill into her and even the vet couldnt open her mouth but I had two chops and the fatty piece on the side was left on a plate...,,,,...........she had no teeth either .................and looked around and they were gone, devoured, whole!

I have sympathy with karen cos most of us were dealing with one but she has a gang to deal with

oh and I not done any of your thread karen cos just seen time and was playing poker!!

Catjane · « **Reply #9 on:** August 12, 2007, 00:53:57 AM »

Awww, Karen, they are all so stunning! They must be growing so quickly!

I'm afraid perseverance is the key to getting them to stop nicking your food - my Shanti used to be a demon with that, but consistent saying no and a little push on her face seemed to eventually do the trick, and she doesn't even try now.

Brings to mind one time tho, after she'd (almost) learned that stealing food is a no-no ... she was draped nonchanlantly on the settee beside me whilst I was eating a pork chop, and little by little edged just a bit closer to the coffee table where my plate was. She then extended her arm in the most casual manner possible, kept it like that for at least a minute, then .... bam! .... just like that, her paw shot out and hooked the meat, she upped and ran under the table to devour her ill-gotten gains!! (I didn't let her eat the bone BTW!). I'm wise to her now, tho!

Gill (sneakiefeline) · « **Reply #8 on:** August 11, 2007, 23:15:11 PM »

They are all so stunning

I used to have one who would hound me and she got to understand that she couldnt help herself but would get very agitated when it got down close to the last bit on the plate, she would get the bit I saved for her

Must do some more of your thread tonight

Schmew · « **Reply #7 on:** August 11, 2007, 22:32:27 PM »

I've used a squirty bottle in the past for my Ted who was a persistent food stealer (fron plate, fork, in your mouth if he could get to it!) and he soon got the message!

Millys Mum · « **Reply #6 on:** August 11, 2007, 18:36:45 PM »

I pity you being under attack from four! I had just the one being a problem and i found saying no worked.
For your mob i would try blowing at faces as it can be done easily whilst guarding your plate

CurlyCatz · « **Reply #5 on:** August 11, 2007, 17:51:51 PM »

I have to say Cody has never ever been a bother with our food at all, he doesnt even touch anything thats on a work top. I imagine its because he doesnt care for human food.

Susanne (urbantigers) · « **Reply #4 on:** August 11, 2007, 17:25:35 PM »

Mosi was like that but he doesn't bother now. When I first got him he'd be all over me trying to take the food - he'd take it out of my mouth if he could. I just pushed him away (a gentle push on the head) or lifted him down and said "No". To begin with it took me forever to eat a meal as he'd be straight back up again but I stuck to my guns and made sure I did it every single time. After a few days he realised he wasn't going to win and gave up. Now he pretty much ignores me when I eat. But you have to do it every time as being rewarded some of the time will just make it worse.

CurlyCatz · « **Reply #3 on:** August 11, 2007, 16:27:13 PM »

karen how strict would you be with the kids if they were doing that ?? i suspect more so than you are being with the cats so its time to get tough woman,.

either a squirty water bottle or a rolled up paper/magazine (to whack on the table /chair and make a loud noise.

Ps the pictures are just gorgeous and i love the way tigger is joining in with the toys n stuff, he's so fab

blackcat · « **Reply #2 on:** August 11, 2007, 16:20:25 PM »

Smdigen tries the more indirect approach. Lurking on the back of the chair and oozing down my shoulder, then looking cutely back at me. Putting them down doesn't seem to get the message across (besides with three of them one will just act as decoy while the others go in for the kill

). Blowing in their face seems to be the best approach - non-violent but they hate it. It also means youdon't spend your entire meal peeling kitties off with hands that are better occupied getting that food into you as quickly as possible

karenjet · « **Reply #1 on:** August 11, 2007, 16:13:48 PM »

I know a lot of cats must do this but it's really beginning to get to me now. Whenever I try to eat something all three kittens, (and Tigger's starting to join in now too) are on top of me and trying to eat it too. Either eating from my plate, trying to get at it while it's in my hands, or pawing at it. I've put them down a million times and they get straight back up again. I don't want to have to close them in another room every time I eat, but it is getting really annoying. Is there anything I can do to stop them doing this?

Some new pics. . .

Tigger and Meeko

Belle

The Go-Cat free cat gym came yesterday so they've all been going mad with that

Author Topic: Is there anything I can do about this? (Read 3757 times)

ccmacey