cat (mis)behaviour expert

[marni]

I also highly recommend a toy called a cat dancer which is basically just a small squib of cardboard at the end of a three foot or so springy wire. When you hold the end without the cardboard, the little squib wiggles and dances in the air like a flying insect on a drunken spree. My guys go wild over the cat dancer, so much so that I have to hide it high and deep or they will drag it out and then hide it when it won't play.

As for socks- mine love my dirty smelly biking socks best of all which is probably why it is impossible for me to have any matcing pairs.

[Aggie_Ama]

I am not advocating declawing, I think it is horrible! My cat was declawed at the shelter, she doesn't bite I think she is the exception. But she does try to get your attention by swatting you with her paws. She is a very active cat but luckily she has a very active dog. In fact my dog was so lonely when we put her old playmate (another dog) to sleep we set out to find a cat that would be her buddy. Shockingly our cat is the perfect match and both seem content, in fact right now they are playing together. I call Tortilla (my cat) Heidi's (my dog) cat. If your Dad is okay with having two cats despite the rule I think Boo will approve.

[badger]

I also highly recommend a toy called a cat dancer which is basically just a small squib of cardboard at the end of a three foot or so springy wire. When you hold the end without the cardboard, the little squib wiggles and dances in the air like a flying insect on a drunken spree. My guys go wild over the cat dancer, so much so that I have to hide it high and deep or they will drag it out and then hide it when it won't play.

I gave Boo the Cat Dancer last week!! He loves it and we played for quite some time with it

I'm going to see my Dad tomorrow, so I'll try to clip his nails then. I think that would help a lot at the very least in preventing bad scratches. And when my Mom comes back, I think I'll work on her to get another playmate for Boo.

[schnitzle]

And when my Mom comes back, I think I'll work on her to get another playmate for Boo.

Might this not result in two cats attacking ankles? Just sayin' ...

I'd try the squirt bottle first. Cat's are very intelligent, he'll get the hint.
Trying to fix an issue with one animal by getting another is kind of iffy IMO.

Point in case, we adopted two dachshunds that HAD to be adopted in a pair. While they do play with each other sometimes, they still each want 100% attention from US. They aren't happy unless we are with them, separation anxiety etc. How much comfort they are to each other is debatable.

[tctrek]

Now this is going to sound weird, but you really need to let cats know that this is unacceptable. I have 7 cats in my house... they never go outside. Nearly all of them will play nip my husband, play rough with him with claws out, etc. NONE of them would think about playing like that with me. As soon as any cat shows a behavior with me like play-biting or claws out, I hiss at them and might thump their nose lightly, letting them know this behavior is unwanted.

It is amazing to see how different the cats are with me vs. how they are with my husband. They come and sit with me and love on me, but never, ever with claws or teeth. Cats do understand hierarchy and I am definitely alpha cat in my house.

[badger]

Now this is going to sound weird, but you really need to let cats know that this is unacceptable. I have 7 cats in my house... they never go outside. Nearly all of them will play nip my husband, play rough with him with claws out, etc. NONE of them would think about playing like that with me. As soon as any cat shows a behavior with me like play-biting or claws out, I hiss at them and might thump their nose lightly, letting them know this behavior is unwanted.

It is amazing to see how different the cats are with me vs. how they are with my husband. They come and sit with me and love on me, but never, ever with claws or teeth. Cats do understand hierarchy and I am definitely alpha cat in my house.

you're quite right there. My dominant/aggressive cat used to bully my 90lb rottie cross. He was very submissive, and with my cat being dominant, they got on very well. He also tries to dominate me, but my boyfriend is definitely alpha over him. It's quite uncanny how he "controls" him when I can't seem to get the same response out of the cat.

Anyhow, I went to clip Boo's nails today, and I was afraid he was going to hate me, but he didn't. He did put a bit of a fuss and tried to get away, but I hunked down on top of him and clipped them. I also gave him lots of love afterwards and he didn't hide or run away from me.

I actually haven't seen this ankle-ambushing myself. Dad says it usually happens first thing in the morning, and he's learning that he needs to let Boo rip around the place a few laps to burn his energy a bit and just completely ignore him. Apparently this works and he doesn't ambush him.

I also have to say that he is probaly the NICEST cat I have ever met in my life. He's so gentle, I can touch him anywhere and not have to worry that I'll be bitten or scratched. And very quiet, too.

I had to remind my Dad that it's only been 10 days, and no one, cat, dog, or person, is perfect from the get-go. And this is the first time that my Dad's been around a new cat this much. Usually it's my mother as my dad worked.

After today, I'm 100% confident that Boo will keep getting better and be one of the best cats we've ever had.

[JennK13]

Did you get one of this type of.condo

Very similar, though, ours isnt quite as built up yet

[JennK13]

Now this is going to sound weird, but you really need to let cats know that this is unacceptable. I have 7 cats in my house... they never go outside. Nearly all of them will play nip my husband, play rough with him with claws out, etc. NONE of them would think about playing like that with me. As soon as any cat shows a behavior with me like play-biting or claws out, I hiss at them and might thump their nose lightly, letting them know this behavior is unwanted.

It is amazing to see how different the cats are with me vs. how they are with my husband. They come and sit with me and love on me, but never, ever with claws or teeth. Cats do understand hierarchy and I am definitely alpha cat in my house.

Our dog is the same way. She is so ill behaved and needy around my husband, but not me. She has to always be on him or touching him (a 70lb golden!) She wont ride in the car with him unless he has a hand on her. He thinks she's a nervous dog. I try telling him she isnt, she just has him suckered to pet her, because if I'm home alone, or driving her someplace and dh isnt there, the dog is fine! she looks out the windows, lays in the back seat, completely different dog. He doesnt believe me.