As I’ve mentioned in some previous threads, I adopted two kittens last March and named them Ellie and Becket (Becket on top of picture, Ellie on bottom). They are currently 10 months old and, while Ellie is already acting pretty much like an adult cat, Becket has a long way to go.
When he’s restless, he’s almost unbearable - he does everything he shouldn’t do and knows he shouldn’t do just like any kitten would. It can get infuriating but it’s still understandable. I know the best strategy in this situation is to play with him and tire him out as quickly as possible. My only problem is that he’s kind of bored with the toys we have and doesn’t get worked up enough to be exhausted. Here are the toys that he gets bored with:
…I also have used various household items like Dr. Pepper 12 pack boxes and crumbled balls of paper, as well. Both cats recently started to be able to sense the kitty glory that is Catnip via a little spray I put on the scratcher and cavern and that kinda helps.
So what really gets your cats going and tires them out sufficiently? I need suggestions.
I jog with the cat. I can tell he wants to run when he grabs my ankle with his paws, and then I run to the other end of the house, and the cat keeps pace. Turn around and repeat until cat gets tired or husband makes you both stop.
I second the cat dancer and add that it can be stuck to the wall with a little pad that comes with it. Now this was a life-saver. When my cat was a kitten he would attack that thing for hours, I mean HOURS, and I never even had to hold it.
My husband is required to play Fetch with his kitty for at least half an hour right after he gets home, and then both of them take a bit of a break to watch TV (Charlie climbs onto the footstool, rests his head on one of Bill’s legs, and watches TV), and sometime later, Charlie needs another round of Fetch, which might last up to another hour. It’s not my husband who initiates these sessions…the cat brings a toy to him, jumps into his lap, and drops the toy. Charlie also chases the other cats around at various hours of the day or night.
So, can you teach Becket to fetch? Charlie seems to burn off lots of energy this way. I also know that one woman used to throw several cat treats (Pounce or something similar) every day, in order to get her cats to exercise a bit.
I have a 1 year old puppy. He and my cat go at it for hours, running and fighting. He has learned to hit with his paws like the cat does. It is better than TV. I have plenty of cat toys but Winston is the best.
I toss the cats outside when they get rambunctious. I guess that’s not on the table for you?
Mostly, I came in here to mention that my daughter’s name is Eleanor and her best buddy is Beckett, but they don’t look much like your Ellie and Becket.
The three-year-old loves the Cat Dancer; the eight-year-old is mildly annoyed by it. But after having spent a pile of money on cat toys, their favorite is an old sock containing catnip and tied in a knot. Of course, the only thing that really tires them out is when they engage in fight-to-the-death wrestling.
My spaz cat Rex has a weakness for feather toys. He also prefers to play alone. So, when he is feeling super spazzy, I take several feather toys (the ones that look like feather dusters) and stick them around the house in random spots, popping out of the upholstered furniture, bureaus, shelves, etc. He will run around, grabbing each one down and wrestling them into submission. By the time he’s done, he’s usually calmed down.
Yeah, I live in an apartment on the second floor so they’re pretty much going to be indoor cats for life.
I’ve tried but I can’t teach that one anything. Despite the fact that every time he jumps up on the countertops, I consistently pick him up, say NO, and put him on the floor - he still does it 10x a day. Ellie is a lot better in that she understands what I’m trying to teach her, but Becket just sits there and give me this look. This kid’s a challenge, I tell ya. Very headstrong.
I’m going to pick up one of those cat dancers tonight. I thought about picking one up, but stuck with the other wand toy that I have because they’ve loved it so much.
While you’re out, see if you can’t find a SSSCat. It also works when placed on a kitchen counter. And it might tire your boy out some, while he learns. If he ever learns. Some cats are stubborn, and others are just plain stupid. The SSSCat’s advantage is that it doesn’t require a human to monitor the situation.
I’ve had a lot of success with cat dancers (homemade), and with back scratchers. We generally use an old towel for the Cover Monster game, as it provides better protection for our soft human skin.
I’ve got that already and it’s kinda helpful. He knows that if it’s not up there (i.e. it’s protecting something else), he’s safe. He can also tell the difference between the empty cans from it and the unit itself as I’ve tried to use those to scare him, as well.
So the good: I sometimes don’t even have to turn it on because he’s afraid of it.
The bad: He knows that it’s THAT that is to be feared and not whatever activity it is intended to deter. So if it’s not there, SCORE!
I’ve considered buying a second one, but at over $30, those things are a bit steep.
Before bedtime I’ll go put on an old hoodie, and let them go to town attacking my arms while wrestling (which is more me trying to tickle them then anything) with them. Of course any other time I wear that article of clothing I have to watch my ass.
Ya could try placing precariously balanced cookie sheets, pan lids, etc…anything that makes a nice loud noise when it falls…around the edges of his access points.
