HELP - what to do with Bored Spiteful Cat??

[cruisetime]

Thank you all!!!

Meka is fixed.

I was wondering if ignoring her would work when she is being bad. I tried that at first and it didn't seem too but maybe now it would have more effect.... She does seem to be saying "Look at me!" It makes me sooooo want to know what her life was like before. She seemed to have been trained to bite and scratch people. She will attack people. But not strangers. She is real good with strangers as she will come out and investigate and let them pet her and then she goes away and stays in another room if she decides she dont' like them...

She does bad things and then goes by the garage door and meows like "I know you are going to put me out there now". That is not something we have ever done - like she was punished that way before...

I'm hoping time will let her adjust to us and not to whoever had her previously. The biting and scratching has seems to die down at least so far.

Debbie I wish she would be entertained but she will try and play with anything but most times it is only for about 5 minutes at most - usually about 3 minutes and she is done unless I throw it for her or play with it with her. Catnip is good for about 3 minutes. Paper bags, cardboard boxes, balls, you name it. I just wish I could borrow a cat to see if a companion would really make a difference.... It really seems like she learns but then her old training comes back in her head and she reverts back..... They trapped her as a pregnant feral but she obviously had a home at one point... But why wasn't she fixed at 2-1/2 years old????

Debbie

[catcrazylady]

Debbie I would like to apologize if I in any way offended you with my response. I just felt like this wasn't ever going to work. Your latest posts explain things a little better.
The sad thing is Meka may never change but then again she may settle as time goes by. She certainly sounds like a little booger! She also reminds me a lot of Leroy because he wants attention and he doesn't care if it's bad or good as long as he gets it! He will do bad things over and over and over knowing that he is going to get into trouble.
Example:
Every single night he goes to hubby's surround sound speaker and starts pulling at the fabric front. He knows this is a major NO NO but he does it anyway. He will actually look at us while he is doing it! We yell LEROY NO! He stares at us and keeps pulling. I'm fussing and hubby's fussing and I'm trying to get around Magoo to get out my chair and make him stop. He's still looking at us and pulling. Just about the time hubby or I are about to get him he cries really loud and rolls over like we beat him! Which has never happened. Then he jumps up into my lap and curls up and takes a nap! This is only one example of the things he does on a daily basis.
Now, Leroy has never been denied my lap or loving attention. Why does he have to be bad before he comes to my lap for attention? He was really young when we got him so it doesn't have anything to do with his past. Why can't he simply jump into my lap first and not get himself into trouble? Who knows!!
My point is that this is his weird personality and we have had him for five years now and nothing has ever changed him. Meka may never change but she should mellow some with age. That may take a long time or it may never happen.
The reason I keep mentioning rehoming is that Meka makes you and your hubby reach a very high frustration level and that is not good for any of you. Time and patience may make a huge difference. It sounds like you have already made lots of progress but I just want you to be aware that she may not change as much as you would like. I really do feel with time and your continuing efforts you can curb some of her behaviour but just remember that you are not going to be able to change her personality.
I know I wasn't much help but I want to give the most honest response that I can. I really do wish only the best for you, hubby and for Meka.

[Scooby4]

If your husband demands you get rid of the cat... BRING HIM IN HERE!!! We will take care of him!!! If he thinks that cat is bad wait till he sees what cat lovers will do!!! Good luck!!!

[catmandu]

Maybe New Cat Toys,or more personal attention.

[catnapper]

Sounds as if she in the past was bad and put outside to be got rid of... like she knows bad = outside. Poucner can be VERY bad, hoping that I'll give up and let him on the balcony for a bit. Cats are far from dumb! Keep up working with her. Cats going outside in a rural area is one thing, cats going outside in the suburbs or cities another. If you live in a busy area, please do try to not cave in and put her out. She'll get used to being an indoor-only cat soon.

I still seriously think she NEEDS a playmate. Make a deal with him... see if you could perhaps foster a cat from a local no-kill cat rescue. If she calms down after the inroduction period (there will be a tedious week or so of hissing and unhappy kitties) then you get to keep the foster. If she does not calm down after she and foster kitty make friends, then foster kitty goes once he/she is adopted. That way there is no financial output of your own like you did with Meka. You would only pay for second kitty if Meka approved of him.her.

[cruisetime]

I like the idea of fostering. I'm working on a friend who has two cats - one is about 5 months old and very active. I want to get them together to play. The only thing is I'm worried about putting them together as that was the kitten I got ringworm from and although she is "cured" I seem to be very supseptable to it myself. Anyway though it would be worth it to see how Meka does.

I've been telling her what a good girl she is - over and over while she is calm and she seems to be eating it up. And it seems to calm her down at least around me. We had to bring the plants in last night and she started in on one large one - just exploring - hubby didn't like it but luckaly he had to go to training at the volunteer firestation - he is a volunteer fireman.

I picked up a harness for her so I can take her outside on a leash today. I didn't like the idea of a leash with a colar because it looks like it chokes her. I don't like the idea she could get fleas outside but I guess I'll have to get the flea product you all have been recommending.

Thank you all for the support. It's what I need. Debbie

[Tubby & Peanut's Mom]

Glad to hear it sounds like things are going better.

And her chewing on the plants reminded me. They make this spray citrus stuff that you can buy at any pet store. You spray it on the plants - or wherever you don't want her to be. Cats don't like the smell of the citrus, so they stay away. It worked a little bit for me when Tubby was a baby. But he was just so naw-tee back then that nothing worked for long.

Good luck on the leash. She may act like it's killing her at first, but she'll eventually get used to it and learn to ignore it, especially if she's outside and there's all that cool stuff to sniff at and check out.

[carole]

I sure hope your perserverence pays off, I am glad you are willing to put in the time to work things out with Meka, you obviously love her and want to keep her, GOOD LUCK.

[NoahsMommy]

That's a really good idea to get foster kitty. Do you know of any rescues in your area? If not, you can always check www.petfinder.com and find some in your area.

Regarding the plant issue. We keep our really high up when we have any inside. Our cats seem to think they are kitty treats.