Behaviour Problems - please give any advice you can!

[Debsymiller (Rufus' mum)]

Definitely call your local CP... where do you live and I can look up which branch it is? I am sure they will help.

[Millys Mum]

You dont have to be on benefits to get a CP voucher and they can also cover the full price if you cant afford to top up the remaining amount if they so care to, not all are very forthcomming with such information but now you know you can ask for it 
Its also very important to get them microchipped, this is easily done at the same time as spaying.

Resist the temptation to shut them out of rooms and restrict space, it wont help. Young cats need lots of play and mental stimulation.
Are your scratching posts plain boring ones or multi tier?
http://www.zooplus.co.uk/shop/cats/scratching_posts

Id also reccomend a da bird, guaranteed to wear out their beans, its available from the purrs shop 

[CC & The Pussycat Guys & Dolls]

I think CP would help just for the fact they are not spayed, or maybe you can get a price plan from your vets? How much is spaying in your area?

[Sabrina (Auferstehen)]

Spaying will help with the behaviour also the older they get.

Make sure to provide lots of cardboard boxes etc to help them play without damaging carpets etc.

You can buy spray to keep them from the wallpaper/carpets.

As for hurting your baby I'm sure it'll be fine, just keep them out of the room when the baby sleeps and an eye on the baby/cats the rest of the time and everyone will be okay.

Cats do grow out of some things and yours have a bit longer to go but they will calm down, just provide interesting things for them to help keep them out of trouble!


Oh Laser pointer if no one has mentioned it. You can sit down and have them chase it all over the house (just remember to hide it when your done - one of mine will bring it to me at 5am and wake me up to play!)

[JackSpratt]

He's not going to put your child out on the streets because it cries at night now is he?

You never know.....   (I am joking, by the way Tilsa!)

[JackSpratt]

Tilsa, do you have any friends in receipt of benefits? It's a bit naughty, but if you're really low on funds I'd suggest a friend registering the two cats in their name at a PDSA vet and getting the spay done that way. The main issue sounds to be that the cats are young and have endless energy! (We have one the same; she turns one next month and runs around like a nutter. But she's spayed and microchipped, so is allowed out - it really does make a difference.)

Have you got any interactive toys for your cats? Even playing with them with a piece of string will probably help.

With regards to scratching things - try Pet Behave Spray from Pets at Home. It's about £3.00 and seems to put off most cats; if you squirt the scratchposts with catnip spray that should encourage them to scratch there even when you aren't looking!

[blackcat]

Definitely look into CP vouchers - your local CP may not be forthcoming but someone on here will be able to help I am sure. Apart from that they are being normal naughty cats I am afraid and at their age what they are doing is normal. You can try spraying cat repellant in the areas where they are doing damage but it sounds like the habit is already well-formed so it's probably a bit late now. Maybe you should just put money aside so you can sort it all as you move out rather than trying to keep repairing on the run. In the mean time, large pieces of furniture strategically placed might be the best idea . If your partner was willing for them to become part of your life he can put up with them. He's not going to put your child out on the streets because it cries at night now is he? If we accept responsibility for a living thing, then we just have to deal with the consequences. Do get them spayed, and in the mean time, get some cat toys and play with them for about half an hour before bedtime to wear them out a bit.

[Tilsa]

Honestly it sounds like they are just being young cats. My boys were much the same when they were younger, my Hubby too was at his wits end with the destructiveness. 

It must be that men don't have quite the same patience... even though they drive me batty at times I'm far more likely to say "there's no point worrying about what's done" or "they haven't done anything that can't be fixed" but partner just gets really frustrated with it all!!  He's under so much stress already and I'm really hoping they will calm down a bit soon so that he has one less thing to worry about!

I will have a look at CP but I've already looked at local council scheme and PDSA and it seems like you need to be in receipt of benefits to qualify for help (we're not entitled to anything because my partner works full time)  Thanks 

[Leanne]

Honestly it sounds like they are just being young cats. My boys were much the same when they were younger, my Hubby too was at his wits end with the destructiveness.

They do need neutering asap this may calm them down, check whether you're eligible for a voucher from Cats Protection (have I got that right? Someone will more info will be along soon I'm sure) it does sound like they want to go out though so it might be somehing to think about after they have been neutered.

[Tilsa]

Hi everyone I'm new here and I'm looking for some advice about my two female cats as they're driving me a bit barmy!! They are sisters, both 14 months old and have not yet been spayed due to money problems. Partially due to not being spayed they are house cats at the moment and don't ever go outside.

My problem is that they both seem so hyperactive and are causing damage to the house. As it's privately rented, we have to replace anything they destroy and it's a real worry when cash is so tight. The biggest problem is the wallpaper - they have almost completely destroyed one corner and scratches and scrapes seem to appear everywhere else on almost a daily basis. They have two scratching posts which they use when we are around but as soon as our backs our turned they seem to run riot. We have even had to resort to placing them in a large crate with their bed, toys etc at night to minimise the damage, which I hate doing!! But if we don't the moment we come upstairs all we seem to hear is them banging and crashing about, knocking things off the kitchen units (our house is open plan so we can't close the door on this area), scratching doors and carpets, scaling the walls as they run after one another... it's becoming almost nighmarish. I'm also concerned because I'm 31 weeks pregnant and terrified that the baby is going to be accidentally hurt while they are running around like loonies :-(

I'm sorry this is so long, I'm just completely stressed because I love them so much but my partner is losing patience with them and I don't really want to be forced to rehome them because they are too destructive or pose a danger to our child. Would spaying help to calm them down? Is this some kind of adolescent phase that they will grow out of and quieten down? Please help if you have any advice or experience with this sort of thing!