Cats are some of the best companions humans can have, and they have been for thousands of years. Unfortunately as good and as they are in some cases you will find cats that seem to enjoy destroying your furniture, drapes, carpets and wires. Those destructive tendencies can be downright dangerous and no one has the heart to give up on their kitty. That means that you have to stop those actions so that your pet does not give you more stress than joy. Here are some ways in which you can stop a destructive cat from doing those things.
Spay And Neuter
The first thing that you have to look at is the possibility of spaying or neutering the cat. Spaying or neutering a cat could a lot of times stop any destructive tendencies your kitty has. The reality is that having the procedure done for this reason is more effective in younger males, and the operation is recommended anyway as a way to stop the over population of cats. There are also other benefits to the procedure that not all have to do with destructive cats, but actually with the lifespan in general as pets tend to live longer and healthier lives after the procedure.
Remove The Temptation
Cats are not dogs so even though you could train a cat, it is a much harder process that can take a long time. Instead you should try to remove the problem item altogether. If it is the wires a destructive cat is going for then try to cover those wires. If it is your clothes, then make sure to put away the clothes so that your cat does not see the item that triggers the destructive tendencies. The old saying is "out of sight, out of mind" and that is very true when it comes to your kitty.
Water Gun
A small water gun is a great solution for those times when your pet is doing something you do not want them to do. Cats are not fond of water to say the least so if they get sprayed with it each time they are doing something they will associate the negative feeling of the water with that activity. Try to not let the cat know that you are the one spraying him with water so that he does not associate it with you. Also you should use a small water gun that does not spray much (no super soakers here) and only spray when your cat is doing the thing you want to avoid (Except for wires).
Offer An Alternative
If you have a destructive cat making shreds out of your sofa or carpet, then try to give them a different option for scratching. Cats can be described as creatures of habit, so unless you give them a better option they will keep doing what they have always done. A scratch post or a scratch board is usually a great option. If your kitty is not going for it then try using some cat nip in order to attract it to the post or board.
