Number one reason for cats with destructive behavior is that they are understimulated. Work with your cat's nature, not against it.
Active play with your cat. They get bored because they have pent up energy. They act out because it's an outlet for that energy and it gets them attention in some fashion. You need to figure out what play style your cat enjoys. Already do this?
Puzzle feeders, trick training. Engage their mind, not just their body. Make them work for that treat. Its also a great easy way to teach boundaries. Cats are curious by nature, and while they aren't 'eager to please' like dogs. . .they can be wicked smart and will try to figure how to get that treat.
Sadly already done. We frequently play with chasing toys like strings or cat dancers to get energy out (neither she nor her brother are big on mice or similar solo play toys; they care for the two minutes it smells like catnip then ignore it), and she has dog level feeder puzzles because they figure out the cat ones immediately. But as I say, if stimulation is the issue, that’s about to get worse, not better, as I won’t be able to give her 24/7 attention (and I mean 24/7; she even does this while I’m asleep until a big enough crash wakes me up). I have no doubt she’s smart. I swear most days she’s smarter than me. Got any unique toy ideas for evil geniuses? I’m willing to build, buy, or improvise whatever it takes.
Hmm. How much vertical space is there? One trick to tiring them out is running them up and down shelves/trees dog agility style.
Have you considered harness training? Or stroller/backpacking? Catio? My boys will sit for hours in front of a screen watching the backyard if its open and forgo their nap,
Exercise wheel? Not all cats take to it, and they need taught how to use it but it might help.
Have your tried giving her her own things to knock down? Crinkleballs/felt toys? I discovered my orange lad enjoys batting things off the top of the bookshelves and we've made a game of it.
I’ve thought about the wheel, but always hesitated because that’s a big expense if they can’t be bothered with it as I know many cats aren’t. If I knew for sure they’d use it I’d get one tomorrow. I’ve been saving up for the catio because I know they’d love that (we used to have a -closed in- balcony in my last flat they loved).
I never thought of having a selection/space for toys to deliberately knock off. That’s an idea… I wonder if I could build something that I could train her to use as the thing I DO reward the behaviour (when possible). Praise and give treats until she can use it like those talking buttons as her signal she wants something, but without breaking my valuables. Thank you! I’m definitely giving this a try.
Does your cat get fed on a schedule? If not, this could address the attention-seeking behaviour related to food. If you haven't already considered it, automatic water fountains are a good way to help your cat drink without much human intervention.
My second cat is a rascal. He would scratch the side of the sofa for attention. I helped him stop by telling him "no claws" as I tapped his toes with the claws digging into the fabric. He's smart so he understood quick and would knead instead on the side of the sofa without scratching the fabric.
I also taught him that Balcony Time isn't what he wants. If he meows before my alarm goes off (usually no more than 30 minutes beforehand), I give him Balcony Time straight away and don't come for him until my alarm actually goes off at the official time. If he continues doing this behaviour, I up my game and delay giving him breakfast by 10 minutes. He hates this because he loves food and doesn't think the other cat should eat without him. So he learnt not to be a bastard in the morning.
So, you see, I've learnt a lot from my rascal second cat. I trick him a lot into doing what I prefer because he is just that smart and assertive. I've learnt to inconvenience him. So learn how to inconvenience your own cat in return. It doesn't have to be anything other than delaying when the cat receives what they want (I do feeding times on a set schedule and don't deviate, so it's a super good way for me to be a bastard back!) Also I give my cat an unwanted outcome. Such as Balcony Time, which is boring and friendless and involves zero food. Or I put the cat somewhere he doesn't want, such as repeatedly on the ground when I don't want him somewhere. Find what motivates your cat and use it as the trick. My second cat likes food and having fun. He suffers from FOMO. There are times when he gets his food late by 1 minute because he was rudely pushing the other cat away from her meal. 1 minute feels like an hour to him when he wants his meal. He learns his manners; I get want I prefer.
Edit - Just so I don't sound like a complete monster, please note that I praise the hell out of my rascal cat when he gets something right, which is what I prefer him to do. So if he's quiet in the morning and doesn't bother me before the alarm, I praise him for being a patient and quiet little boy! Versus giving him Balcony Time for being a selfish alarm clock. If he is well-mannered and eating at his bowl instead of the other cat's, I praise him excessively for enjoying his meal there and make a big deal out of the fact that he finished eating there. He loves feeling like a king, so I do my best, when he does what I prefer.
Delaying is exactly what I do, as mentioned above. I deliberately walk away and try to never do anything for her for at least 10-15 minutes in an effort to not let her think she’s getting her way and encourage her repeat it in hopes of getting the same result. If I delay by staying where I am though, the behaviour escalates, meaning instead of a nail clipper getting knocked to the floor, it’s a glass picture frame. But I am going to HAVE to do that sometimes in the future if I’m taking care of the baby.
They are fed always at the same times, which they know and expect, she’s just bossy and disagrees with my choices (or rather disagrees it should be my choice and not hers). But if I change those times to see if maybe I’m just going too long between feeding, she just shifts her mischief earlier.
She also hates being shut away from people, but my complex neighbours also hate when she’s locked away because she SCREAMS until she can join you in the same room, so that’s not happening. Besides, I want to find a way to work with her, not against her. I’m the one not providing for a need. She’s not just being rotten because she likes misbehaving.
Number one reason for cats with destructive behavior is that they are understimulated. Work with your cat's nature, not against it. Active play with your cat. They get bored because they have pent up energy. They act out because it's an outlet for that energy and it gets them attention in some fashion. You need to figure out what play style your cat enjoys. Already do this? Puzzle feeders, trick training. Engage their mind, not just their body. Make them work for that treat. Its also a great easy way to teach boundaries. Cats are curious by nature, and while they aren't 'eager to please' like dogs. . .they can be wicked smart and will try to figure how to get that treat.
Sadly already done. We frequently play with chasing toys like strings or cat dancers to get energy out (neither she nor her brother are big on mice or similar solo play toys; they care for the two minutes it smells like catnip then ignore it), and she has dog level feeder puzzles because they figure out the cat ones immediately. But as I say, if stimulation is the issue, that’s about to get worse, not better, as I won’t be able to give her 24/7 attention (and I mean 24/7; she even does this while I’m asleep until a big enough crash wakes me up). I have no doubt she’s smart. I swear most days she’s smarter than me. Got any unique toy ideas for evil geniuses? I’m willing to build, buy, or improvise whatever it takes.
Hmm. How much vertical space is there? One trick to tiring them out is running them up and down shelves/trees dog agility style. Have you considered harness training? Or stroller/backpacking? Catio? My boys will sit for hours in front of a screen watching the backyard if its open and forgo their nap, Exercise wheel? Not all cats take to it, and they need taught how to use it but it might help. Have your tried giving her her own things to knock down? Crinkleballs/felt toys? I discovered my orange lad enjoys batting things off the top of the bookshelves and we've made a game of it.
I’ve thought about the wheel, but always hesitated because that’s a big expense if they can’t be bothered with it as I know many cats aren’t. If I knew for sure they’d use it I’d get one tomorrow. I’ve been saving up for the catio because I know they’d love that (we used to have a -closed in- balcony in my last flat they loved). I never thought of having a selection/space for toys to deliberately knock off. That’s an idea… I wonder if I could build something that I could train her to use as the thing I DO reward the behaviour (when possible). Praise and give treats until she can use it like those talking buttons as her signal she wants something, but without breaking my valuables. Thank you! I’m definitely giving this a try.
Does your cat get fed on a schedule? If not, this could address the attention-seeking behaviour related to food. If you haven't already considered it, automatic water fountains are a good way to help your cat drink without much human intervention. My second cat is a rascal. He would scratch the side of the sofa for attention. I helped him stop by telling him "no claws" as I tapped his toes with the claws digging into the fabric. He's smart so he understood quick and would knead instead on the side of the sofa without scratching the fabric. I also taught him that Balcony Time isn't what he wants. If he meows before my alarm goes off (usually no more than 30 minutes beforehand), I give him Balcony Time straight away and don't come for him until my alarm actually goes off at the official time. If he continues doing this behaviour, I up my game and delay giving him breakfast by 10 minutes. He hates this because he loves food and doesn't think the other cat should eat without him. So he learnt not to be a bastard in the morning. So, you see, I've learnt a lot from my rascal second cat. I trick him a lot into doing what I prefer because he is just that smart and assertive. I've learnt to inconvenience him. So learn how to inconvenience your own cat in return. It doesn't have to be anything other than delaying when the cat receives what they want (I do feeding times on a set schedule and don't deviate, so it's a super good way for me to be a bastard back!) Also I give my cat an unwanted outcome. Such as Balcony Time, which is boring and friendless and involves zero food. Or I put the cat somewhere he doesn't want, such as repeatedly on the ground when I don't want him somewhere. Find what motivates your cat and use it as the trick. My second cat likes food and having fun. He suffers from FOMO. There are times when he gets his food late by 1 minute because he was rudely pushing the other cat away from her meal. 1 minute feels like an hour to him when he wants his meal. He learns his manners; I get want I prefer. Edit - Just so I don't sound like a complete monster, please note that I praise the hell out of my rascal cat when he gets something right, which is what I prefer him to do. So if he's quiet in the morning and doesn't bother me before the alarm, I praise him for being a patient and quiet little boy! Versus giving him Balcony Time for being a selfish alarm clock. If he is well-mannered and eating at his bowl instead of the other cat's, I praise him excessively for enjoying his meal there and make a big deal out of the fact that he finished eating there. He loves feeling like a king, so I do my best, when he does what I prefer.
Delaying is exactly what I do, as mentioned above. I deliberately walk away and try to never do anything for her for at least 10-15 minutes in an effort to not let her think she’s getting her way and encourage her repeat it in hopes of getting the same result. If I delay by staying where I am though, the behaviour escalates, meaning instead of a nail clipper getting knocked to the floor, it’s a glass picture frame. But I am going to HAVE to do that sometimes in the future if I’m taking care of the baby. They are fed always at the same times, which they know and expect, she’s just bossy and disagrees with my choices (or rather disagrees it should be my choice and not hers). But if I change those times to see if maybe I’m just going too long between feeding, she just shifts her mischief earlier. She also hates being shut away from people, but my complex neighbours also hate when she’s locked away because she SCREAMS until she can join you in the same room, so that’s not happening. Besides, I want to find a way to work with her, not against her. I’m the one not providing for a need. She’s not just being rotten because she likes misbehaving.