My dumb cat has finally learned how to use a scratching post!
By NJ Chicaa
@NJChicaa (115972)
United States
March 20, 2018 5:46pm CST
My 5.5 year old orange cat is very cute and sweet but he isn't that smart and he has some behavioral issues. He was separated from his Mama and his litter mates at the age of 4 weeks by Superstorm Sandy which is waaaaaaaay too soon, so he didn't learn certain appropriate cat behaviors. Litter box? Nope! (He will go RIGHT NEXT TO IT though. 
)
He scratches on the rug under our bed, on the side of our mattress, and now even on the side of an elevating recliner that someone gave us to help my husband after his hip replacement. We've had cardboard scratching mats as well as carpet and rope scratching posts in the house for as long as he's been here which is since he was 4 weeks old!
My 2 older cats who passed away about 6 months ago were the only ones who ever used the scratching post. The other 3 steadfastly ignored it. I don't know why I even kept it around but I did for all of these months. Tonight, though, I heard someone scratching on it and it was the crazy orange cat. He was really going to town on it too! I have no idea what made him decide to go for it on the post because I didn't put cat nip on it or anything. He ran away from it at one point but then returned to it about 2 minutes later and went back after it again.
It was great to see him exhibiting a new "normal" cat behavior. Maybe in another 5 years he will start using a litter box and I won't have to put down puppy pads and newspaper for him any longer. 
)
He scratches on the rug under our bed, on the side of our mattress, and now even on the side of an elevating recliner that someone gave us to help my husband after his hip replacement. We've had cardboard scratching mats as well as carpet and rope scratching posts in the house for as long as he's been here which is since he was 4 weeks old!
My 2 older cats who passed away about 6 months ago were the only ones who ever used the scratching post. The other 3 steadfastly ignored it. I don't know why I even kept it around but I did for all of these months. Tonight, though, I heard someone scratching on it and it was the crazy orange cat. He was really going to town on it too! I have no idea what made him decide to go for it on the post because I didn't put cat nip on it or anything. He ran away from it at one point but then returned to it about 2 minutes later and went back after it again.
It was great to see him exhibiting a new "normal" cat behavior. Maybe in another 5 years he will start using a litter box and I won't have to put down puppy pads and newspaper for him any longer. 11 people like this
10 responses
@thislittlepennyearns (58119)
• Defuniak Springs, Florida
20 Mar 18
MAybe hes just a little slow on the uptake.
3 people like this
@NJChicaa (115972)
• United States
20 Mar 18
@thislittlepennyearns It isn't just that. He is just kind of a "special" cat in both good and bad ways. His favorite place to sleep is curled up in my arms or right next to my shoulder/head. He always wants to knead my neck like I'm his Mama--he used to do that back when he was 4 weeks old and he still tries to do it now. When his claws are freshly clipped I'll let him do it because he enjoys it. Otherwise nope because it hurts. He is lucky that someone as understanding as I took him in because he would never have made it outside and anyone else would have either dumped him back outside or at the shelter by now.
@thislittlepennyearns (58119)
• Defuniak Springs, Florida
20 Mar 18
@NJChicaa it would drive me nuts too.
2 people like this
@JohnRoberts (109857)
• Los Angeles, California
20 Mar 18
But look at that sweet little face!
3 people like this
@scarlet_woman (23465)
• United States
21 Mar 18
my guys really don't use one either..they're all about the turbo ring i bought them with the cardboard insert.i had to buy a 2nd they like it so much.
2 people like this
@NJChicaa (115972)
• United States
20 Mar 18
When he was 4 weeks old, he climbed right into the makeshift little litter pan I made for him. He used it for a few weeks. He knows full well how to use it. He just won't now for whatever reason. I try not to make a big deal when I see him head for the back room which is where the litter box is. I've followed him in there before and put him in the box repeatedly and he just jumped out and refused to go at that time.
I have puppy pads and newspaper all around where he likes to go. I don't want to keep following him in and making him even more neurotic about doing his business. At least he goes NEXT to the box. I don't need him starting to go in my laundry basket or on my bed or on in the middle of my front room on my hardwood floor.
2 people like this
@kobesbuddy (74514)
• East Tawas, Michigan
20 Mar 18
@NJChicaa Our old female cat punished us for leaving her in the care of a friend, for four days. She went over a gate and did her business in the corner of our living room, until we got home. What a stench!
2 people like this
@NJChicaa (115972)
• United States
21 Mar 18
@kobesbuddy That has happened to us as well. I've had it all happen to me. This is just him not behaving appropriately and I haven't figured out a good way to train it out of him. He goes on puppy pads and poops on newspaper so it isn't *too* much of a big deal but I still shouldn't have to deal with it.
1 person likes this
@andriaperry (116860)
• Anniston, Alabama
21 Mar 18
Maybe he was scared of the other two cats, as it being theirs and not his.My cat uses the wood outside and goes potty outside.
2 people like this
@kobesbuddy (74514)
• East Tawas, Michigan
20 Mar 18
LOL Awwww, he just has a learning disability, that's all! Either that or he's a stubborn old man, who likes doing his own thing!
Either that or he's a stubborn old man, who likes doing his own thing!2 people like this
@NJChicaa (115972)
• United States
21 Mar 18
@kobesbuddy It is a real thing--when kittens or puppies are separated from their mother and litter mates too early, they are known to have behavioral issues later in life. Luckily with Sandy, they are just stupid ones like the litter box which I can easily deal with since he goes literally right next to the box and the insistence on kneading my neck each night. With dogs, though, they will bite, be food-aggressive, etc. It is a serious thing.
1 person likes this
@kobesbuddy (74514)
• East Tawas, Michigan
21 Mar 18
@NJChicaa Pampered syndrome!LOL
1 person likes this
My walls and furniture were ruined.
@sprite1950 (30453)
• Corsham, England
27 Mar 18
I had a cat which took 2 years to learn how to use a cat flap. I couldn't believe it when I saw her cautiously go through it because she always mewed to be let out!
