#Middlebury #PawsCorner
DEAR PAW’S CORNER: My granddaughter rescued a scrawny, 4-month-old kitten that was covered with fleas and ear mites. We nursed Pickles back to health, and he’s now a healthy 9-month-old kitten.
The problem is that Pickles will not stay off our table, counters, appliances, cabinets, etc. – the higher, the better. Even a clock on the wall! He will get down when we tell him, but turn your back and he’s right up there again.
I’ve tried everything. We bought him a climbing pole with ledges; he ignores it. I’ve tried squirting him with a spray bottle, or by giving him a reward when he listens. We put tacky strips on the counters, and crumbled aluminum foil and wax paper. Nothing works. Help! – Charlene B., via email
DEAR CHARLENE: Pickles sounds like a wonderful cat, if a real handful! Most healthy cats love jumping up to higher perches – it’s a natural instinct. And it’s clear that Pickles is very healthy and comfortable with his new home.
How do you balance keeping Pickles happy and keeping him off the dinner table? The play perch is good – try putting it into a different location, perhaps where sunbeams fall across it. Help him associate it with good things by placing a favorite treat on the perch while calling him. Purchase a window perch or a wall-mounted perch you can put up really high.
Meantime, keep searching for a “warning” noise he responds to. Sometimes just a hiss will work. Shaking a coffee can filled with coins may work. Use the same warning noise each time, so that he associates the noise with “get off.” Training may take time, but be patient.
Send your questions, tips or comments to ask@pawscorner.com.
(c) 2018 King Features Synd. Inc.
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