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Aug

2008

DON'T JUMPPPPPPP

2:17pm

Is Skittles trying to commit suicide?

Posted by Paige (Paiges) in Behavior & Training

24 comments

Featuring:

Rex

Killer aka…

I noticed the other day that the kitten has started sitting on top of the banister on the 2nd floor and stares at the front door. If someone walks in the front door he starts meowing and acts like he wants to jump on them. I have tried keeping him down but nothing has worked. I'm afraid if I get out the water gun I'll make him fall on the tile floor below. Makes me wonder if he thinks it's just too hectic here to deal with and that's his way out (just kidding) I know cats are known to be graceful...but Skittle's has fallen off the couch and the back of the recliner and I'm scared to death he is going to fall from the second floor. How can I keep him down from there? The dogs also go nuts when he is up there and Rex seems to be trying to figure out a way to join Skittles on his perch. Anyone have any suggestions on how to keep a curious kitten from getting in trouble?

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24 comments found.

Ann J. (casia68)
3 months ago

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Also aluminum foil works well, they just dont like the noise it makes, nor do they like the way it feels on their paws when they walk on it.

Ann J. (casia68)
3 months ago

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The only thing I can think of is cats HATE citrus smell, try to put orange and lemon peels on the area you don't want him in. Its all natural and it wont hurt him. The only problem you will have to change the peels often, hope you like oranges, lol.

Michele (MicheleZ)
3 months ago

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This brings back unpleasant memories. Zac used to walk on the banister and when he got to the point where the banister meets the wall he'd place his front paws on the TOP frame of the entry door. There is only about 1/4" of wood frame for him to balance on, and his body was dangling over the high foyer; I cringed everytime he did this since he is polydactyl and front declawed (both of which contribute toward clumsiness). I tried telling him "no" but he'd just give me a cranky meow as if to say, "I CAN DO IT! IT IS FUN!" I think he outgrew this, but I was a nervous wreck everytime he did it in the past.

Paige (Paiges)
3 months ago

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The more I tell Skittles no, the more he keeps doing it. He also pulled himself up on the post and used it as a scratching post while he was up there which made me nervous. I bought him a jingle collar earlier at Target, and tried putting it on him. He took off and I haven't seen him since. He hates jingles! Maybe that will keep him down. As of now he thinks of it as a game I think.

Cheryl (cherries33)
3 months ago

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Keep a kitten from getting in trouble? That's like a crime against nature!

Paige (Paiges)
3 months ago

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I guess that is an oxymoron isn't it? hehe

Anonymous
3 months ago

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Let's have a play date. Stache can teach him to jump out of the garage attic like he does.

Paige (Paiges)
3 months ago

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He doesn't need any more help getting in trouble! For such a little guy he can get himself in some situations! We really have to be careful with the dishwasher. If it's left open he'll jump in and got himself shut up in there. Same with the washing machine and the dryer...he is a nosy rosey!

Crystal R. (romancenwva)
3 months ago

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I had cats growing who used to do the same thing. One especially. Muffin used to sit on the shelf above the cabinets in our kitchen. We were always told it was natural for them. As for watching the door, we were told it was the best place for her to watch outside. She never fell, nor did the others. The jingle collar is a good idea though. You could try a spray also. I seen a spray to keep animals out of certains areas. The problem is, I'm not sure how safe or how well they work. Check your local pet store for it.

Lynn C. (MEKOMO)
3 months ago

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No Skittles, don't jump! No ideas from me. I had kittens show up in my barn and they would look out the door from the 2nd story. Scared me to dead to see them there. Thank goodness nobody ever got hurt.

Andie L. (AndieL)
3 months ago

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After looking at the picture, Paige, I can see why you are concerned. I wish I had some wise words, but I've never had a cat so I'll defer to the others who have more experience. I sure hope you come up with something to keep safe.

Cindy (cinlourncharter)
3 months ago

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I'm so sorry- I wish I had an answer for you. Cats, however, are so darned independent that they are hard to figure out (at least for me). Maybe instead of trying to change his behavior, simply making it safer for him, like adding a small table at that point in the banister to give him more secure footing "just in case." If he's more secure & less likely to slip & fall, maybe he won't get so much attention from that behavior & move onto something else!

Paige (Paiges)
3 months ago

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He mainly stays on the railing that leads from the staircase to the gameroom...which is basically just a walkway over the front door area. He won't stay on the railing in the game room where there would be a way for me to secure him an area. I'm going to buy him a jingle collar and put his tags back on him. He really didn't like the jingle, maybe that will slow his little self down!

Cindy (cinlourncharter)
3 months ago

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Hope it works!! Kitty does sound "devilish" to me!!

Melissa and Bossie F. (memphisfields)
3 months ago

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I really dont know what to say Paige but I hope nothing bad happens. Maybe you should ask the vet. I'm sorry that this is happening to you and I hope Skittles is okay.

Paige (Paiges)
3 months ago

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I hope nothing happens to him and I really think he's doing this on purpose! The little turd! I haven't owned a kitten in over 10 years...it's amazing how you can forget how mischievious they can be!

MaxxieBrown
3 months ago

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On a serious note, do whatever you can to keep him down. I had another kitten that I haven't mentioned. We had Katt for less than a week. She fell from between the banister poles on the second floor to the first floor. She was only a few weeks old. She suffered an injured spine. After going to the vet and doing what he told us to do. Katt didn't make it through the night.

Paige (Paiges)
3 months ago

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I am so sorry to hear that! That is what I'm scared of-if the dogs bark and startle him or if he does goofy kitty stuff-it'll make him fall. Poor little Katt!

MaxxieBrown
3 months ago

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She named after the cat in one of my favorite movies. Breakfast at Tiffany's. Audrey Hepburn is my favorite actress and Katt was the cat in the movie. My Katt look like this one, only a kitten instead.

Brea (Brea1)
3 months ago

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I hope she doesn't jump. She could hurt herself but cats have survived higher drops. I would go up there and get her down and give her a stern NO every time she does this. It will take a good while depending on the stubbornness of your cat to learn not to do it again. I understand not wanting to use a water gun and possible causing her to fall. That makes sense.

Paige (Paiges)
3 months ago

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I actually thought about you and your kitty restriction when trying to figure this one out. I have got him down, and I tell ya what, after climbing the stairs as many times as I have lately I will get in better shape. He stays down but seems to wait until I am back downstairs and sitting down then I'll hear him up there again!

MaxxieBrown
3 months ago

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He's faking the suicide threats. What he's doing is playing cat and mouse with you. LOL

Paige (Paiges)
3 months ago

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It does look that way. He didn't like his tags I had on his collar-the jingling sound got to him. I wonder if I got a collar with bells on it that it would deter him from jumping on things? He jumps to escape the dogs from time to time...but I think you're right about the cat and mouse. He likes making me get up!

MaxxieBrown
3 months ago

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Ok how about this? It may look a little tacking but if it does the trick. Hang some beads or something like that on the inside part of the banister. Maybe he will play with them instead.

Or put barbed wired on it. LOL only joking of course.