Help!!!

[Karen]

First of all, congratulations both on finding the love of your life, and knowing that she came with cats, didn't demand she get rid of them!

Oscar sounds like a real handful. Does he have toys that he can play with to keep himself busy? As for him chewing things, like shoes or a favorite shirt, the only thing to do is put stuff where he cannot get them. You can also try - in the case of shoes, spraying the laces with bitter apple spray - available to pet stores, but first I'd try it on something you don't care about, just in case he actually likes the taste.

An alternative to the spray bottle - which has obviously lost its effectiveness with him - is a soda can, washed out and then with a few pebbles dropped in - tape over the opening and shake, and the noise will be deterrent for some kitties.

[Freedom]

Kudos to you, searching for help!

It sounds like Oscar is running the show, and you (and wife) are dancing to his tune, and reacting TO him. You need to turn things around, so YOU determine what is happening, YOU are acting, and he is reacting.

So you see him doing something you don't want him to do. No scolding, hitting, spraying. You've tried that, it isn't working. Instead, get something he WANTS and play with it. Distract and redirect. Keep a few toys hidden in each room just for this reason, so you have someething close to grab. Put it back after.

You need to spend "quality" time with him. Keep a few toys in a can w/ catnip, just for this purpose. These toys come out to play with YOU present. These are SPECIAL. When you leave, you take "your" toys with you.

Plants and cats, tough one, easiest solution is NO PLANTS. But there is a REASON he eats them. He is not getting enough chlorophyll in his food. I use Barley Cat. This satisfies their need. Here is a link so you can see what it is; you can probably find it less money if you search. It is a powder, you shake a little on their food.
http://www.vitacost.com/Green-Foods-Barley-Cat

Child safety locks on the cupboards will solve the food raids.

He sounds like a child doing anything, ANYTHING! for attention. Like the children on Sound of Music who div all the nannies away, the only way to get their Father's attention.

You didn't mention if Oscar was like this before moving in with you in the apartment. H chewed a hole in YOUR shirt. Does he eat wife's clothes too? Or is he just dying for YOUR attention?