Hello.
Three weeks ago I adopted a cat from the RSPCA named Lucy who is about two years and three months old and 3.5kg (~7.5lbs). She was found stray with no ID microchip (mandatory in Australia), pregnant and sick with both the flu and an ear infection (I felt sorry for her). At the time I adopted her she was in good health and the vet I just took her to confirmed she still is. Furthermore the RSPCA had de-sexed and vaccinated her some time earlier. I enjoy having her around; she has a pleasant disposition (with the occasional murder streak), enjoys being stroked, likes to sit in my lap, is energetic, frequently uses her scratching posts and regularly plays. I’ve grown up and been around cats for most of my life so I’m relatively familiar with their quirks, persistence and needs but this is something I don’t understand. Apologies in advance for the verbosity, I’ve tried to cram in as much useful information as possible.
Foremost she continuously demands attention, following my every step, meowing constantly and frantically whether she needs something or not. Even when I’m on the toilet she meows and sits at the door like a sentinel. Secondly and more seriously is her persistent, destructive shredding of the carpet. This is particularly problematic since I live in a rented unit and am responsible for any damage incurred (I have permission to keep a cat). One morning during the second week I woke up to find my fruit bowl on the floor and the fruit looked like Freddy Krueger had been holding it. I understand scratching is both important and necessary for a cat, but I think this is something different.
This may or may not be directly related however she often demands food even though she is fed three times daily with the maximum amount recommended for her age and weight.
I don’t think it is directly related to the move. She was actually surprisingly adaptive. She jumped out of her travel crate, walked around rubbing against the furniture, used the litter tray, ate a meal, sat in my lap and purred for three hours straight. She seems quite comfortable and able eat, sleep, and enjoy herself here.
I give her plenty of attention so I don’t *think* she is bored. She spends the day around me as I am stuck home due to illness, I usually play with her twice a day (which she loves) and I let her outside in the yard for a supervised hour or two (it is very safe and quiet in the suburbs where I live).
I’ve clipped her nails out of necessity due to both the carpet scratching and the fact that when she gets excited she slashes my hands up like a high-speed blender. I won’t declaw her, that seems too cruel.
I’ve taken the advice from the RSPCA and various pet websites and forums by placing an additional scratching post (which she regularly uses) with a very similar carpet at the worst spot and taping effected areas of the rooms with packaging tape. Once a spot becomes unavailable she simply creates another. I’ve been regularly using Feliway on furniture and scratching sites (I’ve used so much the bottle almost emptied after a week).
For about a week and a half I stomped on the ground saying NO as she began scratching then locked her in the Laundry for thirty minutes. Once out she will be clawing again within as little as 30 seconds. Repeating this process did not dissuade her in any way. For the last few days I’ve started spraying her with water however she has learned to anticipate this so runs as soon as she sees/hears me. Perhaps that has become a game for her.
Unfortunately and perhaps critically is the one thing I cannot do and that is ignore her completely. I can’t afford several thousand dollars replacing the unit’s carpet and having a breach notice against my rental record for damaging property is too detrimental.
Right now I have to lock her up in the laundry at night and remain alert and perceptive throughout the day to stop her ripping chunks out of the carpet. Although I love cats and there is plenty to like about Lucy, I am at the point where I may have no choice but to return her to the RSPCA. The one consolation is knowing that the Australian RSPCA is very reluctant to euthanise in all but the most medically serious or behaviourally dangerous situations and do everything they can to re-home animals. I’d rather keep her but I’m getting rather desperate here.
Thank you for reading my rambling. Some wisdom would be very welcome.
Three weeks ago I adopted a cat from the RSPCA named Lucy who is about two years and three months old and 3.5kg (~7.5lbs). She was found stray with no ID microchip (mandatory in Australia), pregnant and sick with both the flu and an ear infection (I felt sorry for her). At the time I adopted her she was in good health and the vet I just took her to confirmed she still is. Furthermore the RSPCA had de-sexed and vaccinated her some time earlier. I enjoy having her around; she has a pleasant disposition (with the occasional murder streak), enjoys being stroked, likes to sit in my lap, is energetic, frequently uses her scratching posts and regularly plays. I’ve grown up and been around cats for most of my life so I’m relatively familiar with their quirks, persistence and needs but this is something I don’t understand. Apologies in advance for the verbosity, I’ve tried to cram in as much useful information as possible.
Foremost she continuously demands attention, following my every step, meowing constantly and frantically whether she needs something or not. Even when I’m on the toilet she meows and sits at the door like a sentinel. Secondly and more seriously is her persistent, destructive shredding of the carpet. This is particularly problematic since I live in a rented unit and am responsible for any damage incurred (I have permission to keep a cat). One morning during the second week I woke up to find my fruit bowl on the floor and the fruit looked like Freddy Krueger had been holding it. I understand scratching is both important and necessary for a cat, but I think this is something different.
This may or may not be directly related however she often demands food even though she is fed three times daily with the maximum amount recommended for her age and weight.
I don’t think it is directly related to the move. She was actually surprisingly adaptive. She jumped out of her travel crate, walked around rubbing against the furniture, used the litter tray, ate a meal, sat in my lap and purred for three hours straight. She seems quite comfortable and able eat, sleep, and enjoy herself here.
I give her plenty of attention so I don’t *think* she is bored. She spends the day around me as I am stuck home due to illness, I usually play with her twice a day (which she loves) and I let her outside in the yard for a supervised hour or two (it is very safe and quiet in the suburbs where I live).
I’ve clipped her nails out of necessity due to both the carpet scratching and the fact that when she gets excited she slashes my hands up like a high-speed blender. I won’t declaw her, that seems too cruel.
I’ve taken the advice from the RSPCA and various pet websites and forums by placing an additional scratching post (which she regularly uses) with a very similar carpet at the worst spot and taping effected areas of the rooms with packaging tape. Once a spot becomes unavailable she simply creates another. I’ve been regularly using Feliway on furniture and scratching sites (I’ve used so much the bottle almost emptied after a week).
For about a week and a half I stomped on the ground saying NO as she began scratching then locked her in the Laundry for thirty minutes. Once out she will be clawing again within as little as 30 seconds. Repeating this process did not dissuade her in any way. For the last few days I’ve started spraying her with water however she has learned to anticipate this so runs as soon as she sees/hears me. Perhaps that has become a game for her.
Unfortunately and perhaps critically is the one thing I cannot do and that is ignore her completely. I can’t afford several thousand dollars replacing the unit’s carpet and having a breach notice against my rental record for damaging property is too detrimental.
Right now I have to lock her up in the laundry at night and remain alert and perceptive throughout the day to stop her ripping chunks out of the carpet. Although I love cats and there is plenty to like about Lucy, I am at the point where I may have no choice but to return her to the RSPCA. The one consolation is knowing that the Australian RSPCA is very reluctant to euthanise in all but the most medically serious or behaviourally dangerous situations and do everything they can to re-home animals. I’d rather keep her but I’m getting rather desperate here.
Thank you for reading my rambling. Some wisdom would be very welcome.
