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