Purrs In Our Hearts - Cat Forum UK
Cat Health & Behaviour => Health & Behaviour General => Topic started by: Bryony84 on April 30, 2008, 09:10:30 AM
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Over the last 2 nights, my 2 cats have been launching a full assault on my OH's feet in the early hours of the morning. The first time it happened, he put them out of the bedroom and assumed it was a one off but they did exactly the same this morning and he really wasn't impressed.
Is there anything I can do to put them off doing it? It is quite painful as they have done it to me once or twice.
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Wear really thick socks?
I honestly don't know except to be really still with your feet. Gizmo got my husbands feet at 6:30 am this morning.
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Lol, he's not moving his feet, its just because he's too long for the bed, socks don't seem to make any difference. They've figured out to get to feet even when they ar tucked under the duvet now as well!
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Sounds like you need a longer bed!
Maybe over the weekend try getting him to lay in the bed with some shoes on and see if they attack.
If he's moving his feet once they attack or makes noises (i.e. swearing) they might think its a fun game.
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:tired: I'd tell him to live with it.. or move out :evillaugh: no way about it, once they start, they aren't stopping ;)
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Fraid I agree...............they probably think its the best game ever!
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yup, one of my best games as well, especially if the feet aren't mine! Thats what pillows are for - to stop the laughter escaping! :rofl:
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Also any attention whether it be positive or negative - ie acknowledging to them that is has been noticed will spur them on in thinking its a game. The best way to get them to try is stop is make it no fun, make it boring for them. To do this you have to 100% ignore them. No moving, no telling off, no poking, no removing of cats. If you let them get on with it and they find there is no reaction they will probably stop.
The suggestion of shoes (with no laces) or thick socks is fab. They can bite until their hearts are content and your OH won't feel any pain so he should be able to keep his feet still (I'd assume when they attack - he flinches his feet or moves them in some way .. it's that too which has to stop on his part, as that is part of their game).
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Yep ignoring is a must. Lexy knows she can wake me up because i moan at her when she starts to dash around the house at 4am. Because I do she does it every morning without fail. If I ignore her, she stops shortly after she starts.
Its just like children. If it ain't fun, they ain't doin' it!
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I know from the couple of times they have done it to me, that it hurts too much not to move, especially when you were asleep. I'll get him to try thick socks, but I'm not sure that would stop the teeny sharp claws. I doubt he'll be up for wearing shoes to sleep, I don't think I would.
He did react though by putting them outside, so maybe I should try and pursuade him not to do that.
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Maybe slippers?
Or what was it called, Lancre wool... (sorry, can't resist a Discworld mention!).
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I know from the couple of times they have done it to me, that it hurts too much not to move, especially when you were asleep. I'll get him to try thick socks, but I'm not sure that would stop the teeny sharp claws. I doubt he'll be up for wearing shoes to sleep, I don't think I would.
He did react though by putting them outside, so maybe I should try and persuade him not to do that.
I think the problem is this type of behaviour is attention seeking - they want to play. Playing with feet gets attention which in turn is a fun game for them. Doesn't matter that its not fun for you and your poor OH :evillaugh: It becomes a battle of wills. Sometimes to break their willpower you have to do daft things yourself, such as wear shoes in bed.
If your OH's feet stick out too much and he doesn't want socks or anything how about putting a blanket over his feet. LOL or make him sleep the other way so his feet are at the headboard end :rofl:
Oh and chances are if you crack this .. they will find another not so fun game to play :naughty:
Ahh the joys of furry children.
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We have it too but usually our feet are under the duvet so it has never hurt so I ahve to admit I'm not too fussed by it
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I'm not fussed because I curl up and my feet are under the duvet, but OH has been getting too hot under the covers so I expect he's been kicking the covers off! I thought about putting a cat tree in the corner for them but theres not much room. They could go downstairs to play but just won't!
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I am with your OH on that. My feet are frequently left vulnerable and exposed and as a consequence i have permanent scratch-marks on them. OK unless they are a) on the soles of your feet or b) on a part of your foot that comes into frequent contact with a tight bit of shoe (ouch). Nothing you can do about it, and the only distraction therapies I have tried have just raised their hunting instincts higher so when the light goes off ..... pounce, Shriek, pain ... :doh:
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We've had that experience too. Our only method is to either both lie completely still, or move simultaneously so Xanthe doesn't know where to attack! :rofl:
I did want to propose a catproof duvet on Dragon's Dens with a pocket at the bottom to hide feet in but OH laughed hysterically at me & told me to stop being ridiculous! :innocent:
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You could also clip their claws to take away the razor sharpness of the attack! Riley doesn't go for feet but he's a 'paddler' so clipped claws are a must then I can sleep through it :evillaugh:
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can you also grind back their teeth :rofl: :rofl: smidgen does not limit himself to claws .... :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:
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Zeratul was doing the same last night! My feet are ok 'cos i'm only 5' 4" but my OH is 6' 4" so his feet are forfeit! :evillaugh:
He was in a playful mood from 6am this morning there was nose nipping, headbutts,purring in ears and jumping on mummy until I capitulated!
good thing is he doesn't mind if he gets shut out of the bedroom - so guess whats happening tonight! :naughty:
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What's all this .... attacking feet while you're in bed? Never heard of such a thing. How shocking :rofl:
Only thing in our experience is to curl duvet under your feet or get scratched. Bad news is Freddie is 6 years old now and showing no signs of stopping :scared: