Solutions, Or Something Like Them

Mood: hopeful

I have to apologize about my post of last night. I was really angry and frustrated. There is, in fact, no chance of my sending Bertram away to military academy.

After a visit to Elliott's Pet Emporium, I discovered a few products that I am hoping will solve little Bertram's behavior problems:

Repel Dog & Cat Repellent Spray - A preliminary test of this product is showing positive results. For a true test, I sprayed the cord that Bertram chewed and placed it on the floor. When I return home from work, we'll see if the test was a success.

Four Paws Super Catnip Spray - I am hoping this will act as an encouragement to draw Bertram's attention to what I want him to play with. I am in the process of testing it on his scratching posts and toys, so far with average results.

And, an unrelated product:

Four Paws Magic Pet Hair Remover - This "magic" sponge does nothing more than sweep fur into little balls which you then have to remove by hand. I am extremely disappointed with this one; I'll stick with a lint roller!

Well, I am hopeful that there is a better tomorrow, free of chewing, in sight.

Bertram's Probation

Mood: pissed

I can't take it any more! Bertram has now ruined the power cord for my Gamecube. So, until he proves he has stopped this behavior:

1. At night, he will be locked in his carrier.


2. While I'm gone, he'll be locked in the bedroom.


3. He will only have access to the whole apartment under full supervision.

Honestly, when I discovered he had ruined yet another cord, I began to doubt his place in our home. That may seem harsh, but this cat has some serious problems. I was willing to accept said problems so long as he wasn't destroying things. But now? I don't know. I'm going to have to have a serious talk with Bella. I think Bertram's problems are well beyond "bitter apple" or cord protectors. (See previous post.)

Don't worry. Really, I'm just venting. But serious action is required. This will not continue.

How To Chew a Cord, With Your Host: Bertram

Mood: angry/worried

Bertram has taken to chewing cords. He has ruined two so far, and has damaged at least one more. I am really angry because he has so much other stuff to stimulate him. Is he lashing out? Is he bored? Or, do cords really taste that good?!?

On the other hand, I'm worried. What if he chews through an electrical cord? I'm assuming a good shock from an outlet could kill a cat.

Bella mentioned "bitter apple", and in the little research I've done on the subject of cat chewing someone mentioned putting a protective tubing over all wires. I doubt the effectiveness of the former, and cringe at the unaesthetic qualities of the latter.

Maybe, for now, I should leave out the cord that he already chewed, so he will continue to chew on that one, rather than a live one. But wouldn't that be encouraging the behavior?

I've also thought that getting a second cat might distract him from his destructive behaviors. (Did I also mention he is systematically destroying the pygmy date palm I put in the dining room?) But I think adding a second cat into the mix will only bring on a whole new set of problems.

I think I just have to be diligent about not leaving cords out to entice him. That seems to be the only immediate solution.

God, I hope he grows out of this....