How do I stop our kitten doing things we dislike?

Question

Our five month old kitten can be very naughty but also very playful. She tends to get up on our kitchen table and is forever jumping up to our kitchen sink although we have tried to stop this but she just continues to do what she likes.

My wife bought a childrens water pistol and squirts her with this sometimes I know cats do not like water but do you think we should try a different approach to how we discipline her I admit we are both fed up of her doing what she wants in our home.

Answer 1

Why do you have a kitten?  I have this feeling that, when you were 5 or 6 years old, you did plenty your parents didn't like. I guess you haven't any children as, if you did, you would know (hopefully) that consistency is The Key to eliciting good behaviour.  When she is where she shouldn't be (name, only, 2 places unless dangerous to her well-being), one squirt with the water pistol at the SAME TIME you are saying, "Mittens, or Muffy - Down!".  I would not squirt her when she's on the kitchen counter as this is too high to frighten her off from she could break her spine as there's not enough height for her to twist and turn in the air so she can, safely, land.  Again - using her name first .. give the command and, immediately, pick her up and put her on the floor.  Both of you must do this, consistently and add a new command every 2-3 weeks.

Be sure she doesn't walk though wet spots of cleanser, detergent, dish-powder and do not use Swiffer - my friend's cat was ill for a week after he walked across this when it was damp.  I've child-proofed all the lower cabinet doors with plastic fittings from Lowe's or Home Depot as my Siamese is the one who whips open every door she ses (or attempts to open),

Does your kitten have a scratching post?  When she claws furniture: Squirt, Name, teach No command and bring her to the post - stand her on her rear legs and, holding each front paw in each of your hands, gently stroke her paws 2 inches down the post, first the right then left for 2-3 little scratching motions. (I've never met a left-pawed cat).  Don't allow her to play with your fingers as this causes bad manners - get a few woolen balls so you can keep on in your pocket for a playtime. She will be acting much older by January so you should try to enjoy her now.  My cat is laying next to my left foot - she an old girl of, about, 17.  

My cats have, always, been well-behaved and each has known, and obeyed, more than a dozen simple commands - the Siamese I have, now, is trained to my hand signals. Consistency, firmness and lots of play time brings many rewards.  Your kitten needs one of those interactive fishing pole toys - is great for bonding with your kitten.

Lastly - she's old enough to be spayed and I, certainly, hope you're not allowing her to be outside?  Outdoor cats live an average of 7 years less than indoor cats and cost more in medical bills, (when owners bring them for treatment, that is), due to all the hazards in the outside world.

It is, very, important she be fed a good quality Kitten canned and dry food to provide the nutrition she needs until 9 - 10 months old at which time she can be fed adult foods.  I recommend Pro-Plan and Fancy Feast canned and Wellness dry food.   She needs 3 meals a day until 9 months and two meals a day after that.

Keep in mind there are many fatal diseases kittens are vulnerable to so you need to be sure she's updated with her vaccinations, a.s.a.p., and has been checked for round and tapeworms.  She should be tested for FeLV which is Feline Leukemia Virus and, usually, fatal.

Answer 2

She's a kitten it's what they do, she's just exploring.  Get her toys to distract her, lift her off the sink each time, as she gets older she'll learn.

Answer 3

Get rid of kitten.

Answer 4

what you need to do is get a squirty bottle like what you use on your hair. fill it with water and then when she up there growl at her and then squirt her. you have to persist. i had a cat that obsessed with goin in a room she wasnt allowed in so i sat there with a bottle for 2 hours she finally gave up and never went in that room.

you just have to do it constantly and eventually she will learn growl means your cranky followed by water squirt. its not cruel and its just annoying to the cat avoid the eyes and ears as you can injure her.

you have to persist a cat is a very determined animal. they will sit and wait for hours to pounce on a bird.

you also have to unit together set rules and make sure everyone in the house does not allow her to do these things. my cat gambit was a rough playing cat she would draw blood and lung at you and cling to you she was just playing but it was painful. i carried a squrity bottle everywhere and had about 5 in the house on hand. my sister would let her do it and she eventually stopped doing it but when i moved in with my sister she started up agian because my sister allowed it. they will try from time to time but if you stand your ground as she gets older she will grow out of it

Answer 5

Hey there, I have a 4 month old female kitten and she can be real wild sometimes. She chews the blinds, jumps on the table, she even ate a half loaf of bread while we were sleeping! There is not much you can do. We have a squirt bottle but doeesnt work too well.

Have you thought about getting her neutered? That will calm her down quite a bit. But honestly theres not much you can do. Shes like a child, shes going to get into everything!

Good luck and just make sure you dont have anything out that she can damage that you really care about!

Answer 6

Mine is 13 weeks old, I have found that using the squirt bottle in extreme instances (like chewing wires behind the tv) does scare the h**l out of her, but be careful to avoid water in the face and ears. gee if you are having this same problem at 5 months, i wonder what i have to look forward to??

Answer 7

Its just a little kitten so she will do such things as she does not know how to behave. Kittens do this way but adult cats are not so naughty

Try to keep in another room or give some toys to her so that she will be busy with it without disturbing you. I have tried this and really works!

Answer 8

that's what kittens do there just having some fun. my kittens do stuff like that all the time :)

callum

Answer 9

That is what kittens do. She doesn't know it's "your home", she's a cat for christs sake.