| In every cat lover's life, there usually is | | | | but then he realizes that he's being brushed |
| one cat that stands out for being a real | | | | and mellows out. Next thing I know, he's a |
| handful. We love all our cats just the same, | | | | purring, amorphous blob of happiness in my |
| but how do you tame the kitty with a | | | | lap. Skritch, brush, pet, and play with your |
| larger-than-life-personality who is Dennis | | | | cat to show him attention and love. He will |
| the Menace in feline form? Having a five-year | | | | appreciate it and afterwards, he may be worn |
| old pile of highly active white fluff named | | | | out enough to go rest someplace. I play with |
| Beau, I know all too well what it's like to | | | | Beau right before bedtime, to tire him out, |
| live with a lively cat. He is the most dear, | | | | so that he'll sleep through the night. Before |
| sweet and loving cat, but when he's bad, he's | | | | doing this, he used to take lights out as the |
| like a flaming cat-rocket blasting off into | | | | time to sing at the top of his lungs and |
| space! I've learned to co-exist well with my | | | | rocket around the apartment in hyper-speed |
| beautiful wild cat. He is my pride and joy, | | | | mode. Now, he curls up at my feet and goes to |
| but I watch him constantly to make sure he's | | | | sleep when I do. Thank goodness. |
| not getting into trouble. Sort of like my | | | | |
| friend's two-year old toddler, that gets into | | | | If kitty picks on another cat, give him a |
| everything. Beau loves to explore and can get | | | | time-out |
| himself into trouble quickly if not attended | | | | |
| to. Here's some ideas on how to make your | | | | When he's feeling really feisty, Beau will |
| home more wildcat-friendly. | | | | walk over to my 15-year old Blackie and whack |
| | | | him upside the head for no good reason. If I |
| Keep anything dangerous out of reach | | | | see this, I separate the two of them |
| | | | immediately. Don't let Mr.Engergy beat up on |
| The kitchen is full of danger for a cat who | | | | your other cats. When he's overly charged up |
| knows no boundaries and wants to get up on | | | | and getting too destructive, put him in a |
| the counter. Food cooking on the stove, | | | | closed off room where there's nothing to |
| knives and cleaning products are just a few | | | | damage, or a cat carrier for ten minutes. |
| hazards to keep out of kitty's way. I bought | | | | When I've done this, Beau goes into "rest" |
| a new oven, and Beau walked over to it (it | | | | mode and goes to sleep. Then, I open the |
| wasn't on) and with a flick of the paw, | | | | door, and he's cool as a cucumber as he walks |
| opened its door and walked inside! I got out | | | | out, as if nothing ever happened. |
| my trusty squirt bottle of water and sprayed | | | | |
| him. He hasn't been near the oven since, but | | | | Get kitty his own cat tree (kitty condo) |
| to make sure, I always look to see where he's | | | | |
| at if I'm baking or cooking anything. And all | | | | Cat trees are a great place for your active |
| my knives are in holders, instead of being | | | | cat to keep himself occupied. They can be |
| left out even momentarily. It only takes a | | | | bought fairly inexpensively on Ebay or |
| second for a cat to get into something, so it | | | | directly from manufacturers who have websites |
| pays to be preventative, no matter what room | | | | online. Buying a cat tree at a pet store is |
| of the house you're in. | | | | another option, but from my experience, they |
| | | | are more costly that way. Get a tall one, |
| Is kitty bored? Find him something to do | | | | then sprinkle it with catnip and show kitty |
| | | | his new furniture. It's amazing how fast cats |
| Cats are best trained by suggestion. A | | | | catch on to using it. I sent my parents' cat |
| professional animal trainer once said this, | | | | a kitty condo, too, and he helped my dad |
| and it's true. If your cat is focused on | | | | assemble it. Plus, the cardboard box it came |
| something he shouldn't be, walk across the | | | | in was an added bonus (cats love cardboard |
| room and show him a toy or give him catnip. | | | | boxes - the smaller, the better.) A cat tree |
| Just distract his mind to think about | | | | satisfies your cat's need to scratch, gives |
| something else. If that doesn't work, a | | | | him something to climb on, and a nice, high |
| squirt bottle filled with water always does | | | | place to sleep if he wants. |
| the trick for me. Show him that you don't | | | | |
| want him doing whatever he's doing but always | | | | Just like people, cats come in many |
| do it with love. Water is harmless. And, it's | | | | personalities and activity levels. Love your |
| been very effective at keeping Beau off of my | | | | cat no matter how much of a rascal he can be. |
| stereo speakers, drip coffeemaker, shelves, | | | | Beau is my constant companion, and one of the |
| and flower arrangements (he eats flowers if | | | | most loving pets I've ever had the pleasure |
| given the chance, whether they're real or | | | | to own. I don't regret getting him for one |
| not.) Never spank or yell at your cat, | | | | minute, and have learned patience and |
| because these things really don't accomplish | | | | resourcefulness as a result. His behavior has |
| more than scaring him. | | | | slowly mellowed in the two years I've known |
| | | | him, and he's learned quite a bit from me, |
| Give your cat lots of love | | | | too. It just takes time, love...and maybe a |
| | | | few headache meds for me here and there. But, |
| When Beau is getting over-feisty, I hold and | | | | he's worth every bit of it in the end. |
| brush him. He wiggles like crazy at first, | | | | |