Conference misery::feline_v1

    Connie,
    
    I think that the best solution to your problem is to get Jake a
    friend.  They may not get along at first, but eventually Jake will
    be too busy playing with his friend to even think of chewing on
    wires.  I have a feeling that others in this notes file will agree.
    
    Holly
    

    I also agree!  Get a friend for him.  It really does work; thats
    why I have two!  Plus, two are always better than one :-)
    
    Erin

    Yes, get another cat.  We went thru something similar for about
    a year until we got another cat.  It took only three days for them
    to get used to each other and have been the best of buddies ever
    since (14 years!).

Yup, that's the ticket!! :^) Get another cat -- and believe me you think you
have problems now -- just wait -- what one doesn't think of the other one will!! 
This is experience speaking -- our two kittens are real terrors -- and we have
3 older cats besides -- even the "Old Buck" gets fed up with them and goes
over and bangs them on the head (something like bouncing a ball) to quiet them
down!!  

I'm hanging in there hoping maturity will mellow them!!

I can empathize with you as we just redecorated with all new furniture and 
everything is covered as if we didn't live there!!

But seriously, it may help -- I know I wouldn't have an "only" kid again -- they
really are company for each other.

    Just in case a "playmate" isn't feasable, your vet can talk with
    you about various medications that he can prescribe to calm him
    down.  In some cases I believe female hormones are given and in
    severe cases (I had a male cat that bit anything that moved), he
    was on phenobarbital.  Some animals just develop an awful mean streak
    and there isn't anything physically wrong.  Drugs have their draw
    backs too, but it's better than giving away your furface!
    
    Pat
    

    
    If I may "sixth" that motion, Sebastion has mellowed out immeasurably
    since we got Claude, and he has her company during the day now. I think
    they both just sleep all day anyway (Sebastion didn't used to, believe
    me), but they feel happy because they have company. And they are best
    buddies. Don't you feel more happy with someone else in the house?  I
    know I do. 
    
    The other thing to mention is that you know the old adage "two can
    live as cheaply as one?"  Well, I also found that two cats are as
    easy to care for as one.  EASIER when you consider all the damage
    that ISN'T being done.
    
    Good luck.  I would suggest trying to find a kitten if you can.
    Kittens aren't usually as territorial and don't mind being hissed
    at.  Two older cats may mean twice the hissing and spitting.  In
    our case, Sebastion hissed and spit, and Claude ignored him completely.
    I was able to give him all the attention because she didn't need
    any help adjusting. 
              
    Amy.

    Re: .6
    
    Um, Jake doesn't sound "mean" to me, just high-spirited.  I mean,
    two doggies to tease, who could resist?  And a pork chop right in
    front of me here, what fun.  Maybe your vet might prescribe a
    mild tranquilizer, but Jake seems to be in a different class from
    a cat who "bits everything that moves".
    

    well i got out my cat book to read up on care of kittens and happened
    on   a chapter-cats and food...
    it says(not me mind you the book does)
    cats are inveterate food thieves,and yelling no will do no good
    so it becomes necessary to out smart your cat.
    it says to leave a piece of food within easy reach of the cats paw
    but to tie(some how) a piece of string to it.attach to the string
    cans,bells or anything to startle the cat,and after a couple times
    of being startled the cat will leave food alone that is on the counter.
    
    you dont want to know what it says to about wastebasket tipping...
    
    kelly
    

    Re: .9
    
    Um, unless it eats the food, and swallows the string, and gets it
    tangled around its intestines, and so forth.
    
    P.S.  God put the shift key on keyboards for a reason.
    

    
    Looks like the "adds" have it.  
    
    Jake is not mean by any stretch, just very mischevious and sometimes 
    it gets the best of me.  I talked to my husband last night and it
    looks like we're in the market for another special furface to add
    to our family.  I guess if we have two dogs we should have two cats!
    
    Sooo, does anyone know of a special kitty that needs a home?  I know,
    I know, *all* kitties are special, but Jake (for those of you who
    don't remember) is the three legged kitty I got last fall with the
    help of Kim Robbins and Karen Kolling.  (Yes, can you believe all
    that destruction on three legs..!)  We have an extra large soft
    spot for kitties who wouldn't otherwise have a home.  You can be
    sure that it will be an indoor kitty, spayed/neutered and lots of
    love!
    
        Conni