Guest guest Posted November 27, 2007 Report Share Posted November 27, 2007 Hmmmmm... I never had this problem with my cats. They were all squirt-gun trained from kittens and not one of them brought down a christmas tree, or climbed into one either. The occaisional ornament fell from the tree, not because of a cat, and they would bat it around the floor. But the ornament was always returned to the tree and kitties' ornament-toy was replaced with something they were allowed to play with. However, if that doesn't work for you and the hissing does... and you don't want to be hissing all through x-mas... try putting some coins in an aluminum can and shake it whenever they do something wrong. They hate the noise. But most importantly, you have to set limits. My cats have one rattan chair they are allowed to tear apart and that's it (they never got used to a scratching post - so I sacrificed the chair). My cats are not allowed to climb anything, or jump on counters, or anything " cute " like that... seriously, their paws have been in a litter box! That's not going on my counters, period. Good luck with your kitties. Just a passing comment on cats, you know that test for submissiveness for dogs? ...roll them on their backs, if they stay there, they're submissive, if they fight back, they always will... That works on cats too. Submissive cats are a heck of a lot easier to train than non-submissive cats. Cheers! Denise Gontard Cartwright ----- From : orthomama[orthomama] Sent : 11/27/2007 9:34:20 AM To : Cc : Subject : RE: Christmas Trees and Cats I am so worried about the christmas tree now that I have a year-old cat! She is very, very strong willed. When I spritz her with water, she ignores it until I've spritzed her about a dozen times and the water is running into her eyes. <snip> </snip> So far, the only thing that works reliably is if I hiss at her - that is so shocking to her that she runs away and hides. <snip> </snip> Are there any cat repellant spray products that truly work? What can I do to keep the cat *and* the tree *and* all my beautiful ornaments safe? Help! Denise Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 27, 2007 Report Share Posted November 27, 2007 I'll have to put some pennies in a bottle and see what they do; however, I feel I know what they'd do already. anytime there's noise they run to it to find out what it is. I already have a toy that's plastic and has beads in it and they bat it around on occasion, so I really doubt the coins in a bottle would deter them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 27, 2007 Report Share Posted November 27, 2007 The sad thing is when I swatted his head, it didn't hurt him at all! He's never held it against me, and the only reason he lifted his head out of my plate of stir-fry was because I yelled after I hit my hand on his bony head! Rotten brat dog! He did something a couple of weeks ago and I almost forgot again, but I remembered just in time and swatted his butt instead. Then I got the " I'm an abused dog " face from him (I think it was the day I gave them both baths and I'm pretty sure they were yelling " Michael Vick! Michael Vick! " at me! They hate baths!) ---- thelilacflower 11/27/2007 9:20:42 AM Vegetarian Group Re: Christmas trees and cats Oh no! I'm glad you don't hit the dogs on the head anymore. The pennies in a bottle is a better idea. Donna Sent via BlackBerry from T-Mobile " Penny French " <penny368 Tue, 27 Nov 2007 09:01:20 To: Re: Christmas trees and cats Another trick we used to use on our stubborn cat that always worked was to take a large pill bottle, something with a childproof cap, and put some change inside of it. Not a lot, but 5 or 6 pennies or whatever. When the cat does something they aren't supposed to, shake the pill bottle at them. They don't like the noise it makes for some reason and will stop doing whatever it was. My Siamese/Calico mix is also very stubborn and the water bottle only made her mad. I used to use a flyswatter on the cats and dogs butts (after I broke my hand swatting one of the dogs on the head for stealing my food) but they just take it and hide it. Since I can't stand the flies, the fly swatter is very important! So we used the pill bottle instead and it worked really well. ---- aust4freng 11/27/2007 8:57:35 AM @ <%40> Christmas trees and cats My siamese is strong-willed, but she's 2 years old and perhaps listens better. When she went after the first ornament I swatted her backside and surprised her. The next she went to the tree I called her name in a very strong low voice and she took off. Now she leaves the tree alone. You could put her in a closed room while you're gone til she learns what she's allowed to do. Cats don't play for hours....it's kind of like what the dog whisperer teaches...if you exercise your pet for a few minutes, they will burn some of their pent-up energy and won't do the bad things, like attack ornaments. I didn't think spray bottles worked for my cats, but now they run when I pick up so I guess they did learn something from it. While you're home and the tree is up, you might try leaving your cat freedom thru the house while you empty garbage or something in the yard; when you come back in you can usually tell if they cat has has behaved...if the cats, you can start giving it more freedom. If he hasn't you'll have to give more discipline til the cat gets the message. Cats do learn, your message has to be a strong one. I've discovered if I make a sound with my voice kind of like the high point of a cat's meow with screech to it, they immediately stop whatever they're doing. Try that, see if it works. Keep us posted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 27, 2007 Report Share Posted November 27, 2007 It might work. There's something annoying about that sound. I think wherever I got that tip from said that the noise is kind of like fingernails on chalkboard to them. It's worth a shot anyway! ---- aust4freng 11/27/2007 9:33:41 AM christmas trees and cats I'll have to put some pennies in a bottle and see what they do; however, I feel I know what they'd do already. anytime there's noise they run to it to find out what it is. I already have a toy that's plastic and has beads in it and they bat it around on occasion, so I really doubt the coins in a bottle would deter them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 27, 2007 Report Share Posted November 27, 2007 I already have a toy that's plastic and has beads in it and they bat it around on occasion, so I really doubt the coins in a bottle would deter them. I had a cat who was an ankle biter when she was young.? I put some loose change in an empty Coke can, and every time she did it I would throw the can in her direction.? I think it was the surprise value that made it effective.? That and essence of time....most cats eventually outgrow their bad habits. TM ______________________ More new features than ever. Check out the new AOL Mail ! - http://o.aolcdn.com/cdn.webmail.aol.com/mailtour/aol/en-us/text.htm?ncid=aolcmp0\ 0050000000003 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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