Horrible Cat

kittie8709

I have three cats at home and each one of them is awesome in their own way. They are all rescues and I honestly couldn't picture my life without them. I have major issues with one of them. Anubis is the most horrible cat ever. I understand that cats like high places and will counter surf to satisfy that. The other two have been guilty of doing just that however, they don't get into people food. Anubis has found a way to open bags of food and eat them. Just the other day he tore open the bag of bread and began to chew on it. This kitty is crazy smart to boot. I can't purchase a bread container because he would just find a way to get into that also. He knows how to get into containers with lids as well (he's already done that and accidentally got his tooth stuck on the lid. Luckily my mom was able to help him out). My question is if there is anyone with any advice on what I can possibly do to get him to stop this behavior. I don't want to get rid of him because I know anyone else would just throw him out and the shelter would euthanize him. He also wouldn't make a good outdoor cat because he's afraid to go outside. Any advice on this would be greatly appreciated. 

LuckyAngel07

First of all, your cat is not horrible. You're horrible for saying your cat is horrible. Cats belong inside as well, so whether he hates the outdoors or not, considering making him outdoor is irresponsible and would probably end in him being killed by a car. And saying "I don't want to get rid of him..." is as bad as admitting you're considering it. You should be saying "I won't get rid of him." He's your responsibility. You adopted him.

Now that I've gotten all that off my chest. I have a cat who counter surfs and will chow down on anything available. That's included packaged of hamburger rolls, loaves of bread, and bags of dinner rolls, not to mention blocks of cheese, and extra cooked hamburger, or even just leftover traces of food in a pan I haven't moved from the stove to the sink to wash yet.

I now put all breads either in the fridge (they keep a lot longer this way, anyway) or on top of it, since she's never jumped up there. Most of my containers are the airtight sealable type, not just the kind you press the lid closed on (they either have the pop center in the lid that you depress to seal the lid on or they have latches around the edges). Invest in some. And put all food AWAY in cabinets, the fridge, a pantry, wherever. 

Again, your cat is not horrible just because he counter surfs and snarfs food. God, what an awful thing to say!

clarke10

We have a dog who is somewhat the same way. Any food that is left out, she will eat. If we leave a plate on the table with some food left, she'll eat it. We had a tin can with a clasp on a counter filled with truffles. She's a fairly small dog and found a way to get onto the counter, open the clasp, and eat the truffles (she didn't enjoy the vet visit that came with that one, but ended up being ok). 

Honestly, we feed her scraps all the time so its natural to think that any food she has access to is fair game. Its all on you to make sure there isn't any food left out your cat can get to. If you know he will get at it, why continue to leave it in places he can reach?

kittie8709

Thanks for the tips. We've been putting the bread in the stove and so far that's working out pretty good. I'm not upset about the counter surfing and if it came down to it I don't have the heart to give him up. He's a sweet little guy and very loving and affectionate. I also believe that they belong indoors because of the dangers the outside world has. Honestly I don't think the containers with latches would work because he has already figured out how to open them. This kitty is crazy smart and very mischievous...I'd get him a kitty play mate but I can't have any more pets. 

Meery82

LuckyAngel07 said:

First of all, your cat is not horrible. You're horrible for saying your cat is horrible. Cats belong inside as well, so whether he hates the outdoors or not, considering making him outdoor is irresponsible and would probably end in him being killed by a car. And saying "I don't want to get rid of him..." is as bad as admitting you're considering it. You should be saying "I won't get rid of him." He's your responsibility. You adopted him.

Now that I've gotten all that off my chest. I have a cat who counter surfs and will chow down on anything available. That's included packaged of hamburger rolls, loaves of bread, and bags of dinner rolls, not to mention blocks of cheese, and extra cooked hamburger, or even just leftover traces of food in a pan I haven't moved from the stove to the sink to wash yet.

I now put all breads either in the fridge (they keep a lot longer this way, anyway) or on top of it, since she's never jumped up there. Most of my containers are the airtight sealable type, not just the kind you press the lid closed on (they either have the pop center in the lid that you depress to seal the lid on or they have latches around the edges). Invest in some. And put all food AWAY in cabinets, the fridge, a pantry, wherever. 

Again, your cat is not horrible just because he counter surfs and snarfs food. God, what an awful thing to say!

Good god, get over it. She didn't say she beats the cat or plans to kill it. JFC.

OP, put your bread in the pantry or a cabinet. Problem solved. 

quiltedinky

I was thinking about this post this morning.

I use a water spray bottle to discourage bad behavior in my two kittens (they're 5 months old). One spray at my black/white kitten is enough of a lesson to him. My other kitten (buff/ cream tiger) He has to get sprayed 2-3 times and then shaking of the water bottle as a reminder. I also taught the tiger the phrase "make good choices" to discourage him from doing something he's not supposed to.

The tiger is very smart and food oriented. I taught him to sit for treats and to get his breakfast. I also use a kitty Kong to give him treats.  To keep the tiger out of all people food (including my coffee) I had to use the spray bottle.

I'm wondering if your kitty might settle down a bit if he had more appropriate interactive "smart" toys to play with and interactive play with you to wear him out. I also make sure that when I see him doing something he's supposed to I give him tons of praise and petting.

Using these methods I have not seen a change in their interaction or affection with me. I hope some of this helps.

mcskatcat

I would suggest reading "Naughty Cat No More."  It's a book about training your cat.  It has an entire chapter devoted to counter surfers.  It sounds silly, but it not only changed my cat's bad habits, but also really promotes a positive, healthy relationship between you and your cat.  

LuckyAngel07

Meery82 said:

Good god, get over it. She didn't say she beats the cat or plans to kill it. JFC.

OP, put your bread in the pantry or a cabinet. Problem solved. 

Oh back off. Respond to the OP and leave my response to me. I've seen way too many people overreact about their cats' behaviors. It's not the cat's fault; it's the person's.

Meery82

LuckyAngel07 said:

Meery82 said:

Good god, get over it. She didn't say she beats the cat or plans to kill it. JFC.

OP, put your bread in the pantry or a cabinet. Problem solved. 

Oh back off. Respond to the OP and leave my response to me. I've seen way too many people overreact about their cats' behaviors. It's not the cat's fault; it's the person's.

I'll respond to whoever I please. If you don't like it, don't post.

Jags8

Put your food in the fridge and/or cupboards. Spray your cat with water when you catch him on surfaces you don't want him to be. My cat learned real fast.

Jags8

Put your food in the fridge and/or cupboards. Spray your cat with water when you catch him on surfaces you don't want him to be. My cat learned real fast.

buhherfly

LuckyAngel07 said:

First of all, your cat is not horrible. You're horrible for saying your cat is horrible. Cats belong inside as well, so whether he hates the outdoors or not, considering making him outdoor is irresponsible and would probably end in him being killed by a car. And saying "I don't want to get rid of him..." is as bad as admitting you're considering it. You should be saying "I won't get rid of him." He's your responsibility. You adopted him.

Now that I've gotten all that off my chest. I have a cat who counter surfs and will chow down on anything available. That's included packaged of hamburger rolls, loaves of bread, and bags of dinner rolls, not to mention blocks of cheese, and extra cooked hamburger, or even just leftover traces of food in a pan I haven't moved from the stove to the sink to wash yet.

I now put all breads either in the fridge (they keep a lot longer this way, anyway) or on top of it, since she's never jumped up there. Most of my containers are the airtight sealable type, not just the kind you press the lid closed on (they either have the pop center in the lid that you depress to seal the lid on or they have latches around the edges). Invest in some. And put all food AWAY in cabinets, the fridge, a pantry, wherever. 

Again, your cat is not horrible just because he counter surfs and snarfs food. God, what an awful thing to say!

I personally have a cat that gets on the counter TO EAT the food that she can find. She waits for you to walk to the fridge to get something else while your preparing the food, and jumps up there and tries to eat out of the pan I am cooking out of. Saying her cat is horrible is the way she feels about the situation. I cannot put food away whilst I'm cooking it, or getting the plates to put it on once it is done cooking. Sometimes the cat is the problem.

kittie8709 said:

I have three cats at home and each one of them is awesome in their own way. They are all rescues and I honestly couldn't picture my life without them. I have major issues with one of them. Anubis is the most horrible cat ever. I understand that cats like high places and will counter surf to satisfy that. The other two have been guilty of doing just that however, they don't get into people food. Anubis has found a way to open bags of food and eat them. Just the other day he tore open the bag of bread and began to chew on it. This kitty is crazy smart to boot. I can't purchase a bread container because he would just find a way to get into that also. He knows how to get into containers with lids as well (he's already done that and accidentally got his tooth stuck on the lid. Luckily my mom was able to help him out). My question is if there is anyone with any advice on what I can possibly do to get him to stop this behavior. I don't want to get rid of him because I know anyone else would just throw him out and the shelter would euthanize him. He also wouldn't make a good outdoor cat because he's afraid to go outside. Any advice on this would be greatly appreciated. 

Could you try a bread box. It's like a mini cabinet on the counter to put things like bread in, and because the way the 'door' closes the cat would not be able to get into it. For containers, we use "lock and lock" bowls to store things in.. The cat(or a child) can shove the thing in the floor and nothing comes out because the lid literally locks around a clip and you have to press all four locks up to take the lid off. I know exactly how you feel. My cats get on the counter and eat out of the pans I'm still cooking in if I look away for too long.