Courtesty of Perfect Paws. Read the full story here . . .
Rambunctious and Hyperactive Cat Behavior
If your cat is attacking you, your furniture, phantom spirits and invisible mice; if he’s bouncing off the walls and ceiling; knocking things off counter tops; stealing; carrying around or hiding the most unusual objects; don’t worry, your cat is quite normal. Much of this obnoxious behavior is caused by his acting out play and predatory behavior. If these events occur in the middle of the night or in the wee hours of the morning, don’t forget that cats are nocturnal animals. It’s normal for their activity level to peak late at night or early in the morning.
This frequently happens with lonely, bored cats that have an excess of energy and no where for that energy to go. They cannot chase real mice and birds, or climb real trees, so they develop other habits to entertain themselves.
Many of these problems can be prevented or cured by providing games, exercise and entertainment for your kitty. Get on the floor and play with your cat. Don’t just toss her a toy and expect her to play by herself. Tie a toy to the end of a string, toss it down the hall and reel it in, or slowly drag it across the floor. This gives kitty a moving target to chase and attack. Put a bird feeder outside a window so your cat can watch hummingbirds dive-bomb the fuchsia bush.
Sometimes kitten behavior, such as suckling and kneading, continues into adulthood. Provide your cat with something safe of his own towards which he can direct this behavior. If the cat decides to use you or your clothing for this activity, simply let him know you disapprove. A sudden, sharp shout or loud noise is usually sufficient. Remember to frequently encourage kitty to indulge himself with his own special suckling/kneading pillow, blanket or toy.
Often a cat’s misbehavior is actually reinforced by your unintentional rewards. The cat suddenly runs up, nips you on the ankle and runs off. You scream and chase him. Although you think you are reprimanding the cat, he probably thinks this is a fun game. Cats can also become pests, demanding attention and affection because when they come over to bug you, you give them what they want - food, attention or affection. Read more about how cats learn.
My Second Week!
It’s been busy! I sure can tell Mommy and Daddy are sleeping really well… maybe it’s because I’m snuggled up between them. I really like to sleep nose to nose with Mommy, or in her arms.
I’ve been getting really independent, letting Mommy and Daddy know I need to go potty by going downstairs and whining at the door… at least I do it some of the time, other times I forget. Daddy really wants me to find a way to vocalize that I need to go. I’m working on it, and I’ve had far fewer accidents this week than I did last week. Of course, Mommy and Daddy are really vigilant about taking me outside regularly, so I’m sure that has a lot to do with it too.
And they gave me my first bath… I did not like that at all! I think I can get to like it, but the first time, it was so new, the running water was so noisy, and I was cold when the water wasn’t being poured on me. I stood there like a good boy, growling and grunting and shaking. I sure did like the towel drying after though! Like being cuddled with a big cloth! It wasn’t so bad at all, I’ll get used to it. And Mommy really likes the way I smell much better after a bath!
I also figured out how to break out of the room downstairs, I figured out how to move the big heavy box that holds the gate in place and get out. Daddy was watching me do this and I heard him say to Mommy that I sure am not a stupid puppy. I was really proud of myself for doing it, and in a strange way, even though Mommy ran and got me before I even made the stairs (wow she sure can move fast sometimes), I think they were proud of me too.
We had snow the other day, I am a real snow hound, and it makes Mommy laugh when I bounce around with snow on my nose.
Yesterday, she got really mad at me, I wasn’t listening, my pack is putting stuff in these things they call boxes, getting ready to go somewhere else, to “move”. So there are all kinds of interesting things all around for me to explore and carry around in my mouth, to move… hey…. so THAT’S what they mean. See… I’m just trying to be helpful!
Anyway, Mommy got mad, and took me down to my crate and put me in. She spoke to me in a very stern voice, didn’t yell, but I could tell she meant business. And she left! Just for a little while, but it scared me. I mean, daddy does it to me… but Mommy?! Wow, I must have been bad. So, I was a very good boy for the rest of the day. I clung to Mommy just like I did when I first got here. I guess I’m not as grown up as I think I am, huh?
Oh, you know what else? Mommy took me for a ride in her car too! I really wasn’t sure about it at all, and the first turn around the block, I buried my head in her lap. The second turn, I whimpered once, and then just lay on the seat. The she stopped the car, petted me for awhile, I almost fell asleep. Then we went around the block again, and after a potty break, back inside the house for lots of praise and cuddling. She was really good about petting me and talking to me all the while that we drove, so I felt safe. Later when she and Daddy went up the street to get food, I sat in Daddy’s lap while we drove there. And waited in the car while they went in the store. They were back in a minute and home we went. I think I’m getting the hang of this car thing! I understand that it doesn’t mean I’m going to live somewhere else. Mommy was worried about that, since my first car ride was when I came to live with them, and was taken away from Mama.
It’s fun living here, even though I don’t get to do all the things I want to do - they keep taking me out of rooms that I manage to wander into, and keep ordering me out of the kitchen, which I think is REALLY unfair, there are so many interesting smells there! Daddy is funny too, he plays with me just like he’s a dog too - Mommy laughs at him when he’s bounding around on hands and knees and we’re wrestling and barking at each other.
I’m also learning not to bite Mommy’s hands (note from Mommy: It’s really sweet when he does it, breaks my heart to have to cure him of it, but it won’t be so cute when he’s 8 months old and weighs 80 pounds like his Papa). Whenever I start gnawing on her hands, she takes her hand out of my mouth, taps me on my nose and yells “OW”, and ignores me for a little bit. Since I don’t like being ignored by her, I’m getting the message. Of course, right after that, she always gives me a toy to chew on, so I’m learning that my toys are for chewing on, not people’s hands.
I’m learning a lot, there always seems to be something new to explore! I’ll tell you more next week!
