Whining cat

[cristeen]

Someone please give me some thoughts on this... I'm ready to strangle him, as is DH.

My little guy is such a HUGE whiner, and it seems to have gotten worse the last few months. We have a routine, we follow it almost every day... daddy gets up, gets a shower/shave then feeds kitties while mommy preps breakfast and lunch in the kitchen. But pretty much all this week he's been whining for his breakfast while DH is still in the shower, getting underfoot in the kitchen and just in general making a nuisance of himself. And he's just as bad at dinnertime. I make a point to not give him what he wants WHILE he's whining, I've tried squirting him with water to let him know the behavior is unacceptable, but yet it continues. And to make it worse, she's picking up on this bad habit, and has started whining also.

I know there have been changes around the house lately, with us moving furniture, cleaning and prepping for baby. And maybe that's part of it. But if I can't handle it now, how on earth am I going to handle both him and a new baby, with lack of sleep and hormonal upheaval?! Anyone have any tips or tricks on how to deal with this? He's driving me bonkers!

Oh, and since someone's liable to ask this - feeding more/free feeding is not an option. This little guy is over 16# already, he really does not have an off-switch when it comes to food. If there's food out he'll eat it (which is why we have to feed them in separate rooms - or he'd eat 2 dinners and leave her with none) - even if it's not kitty food (I've had to learn to not leave anything on the counter even for 5 minutes... no matter how many times I punish him, he'll still get up there if he smells something).

[Aeress]

Well, I find male cats to be more vocal and persistent. Well, at least they are in my house.

For my cat, giving him attention when he isn't complaining is the key. Sometimes a treat, new toy or when he gets really underfoot, we put him in time out. (in his case, the basement- there is food and water for him)

[milagras]

I have a similar problem with one of my males. His original name was Cry Baby because that's all he did. Now, his whining is centered mainly around mealtimes and wanting to go outside (he's an inside only cat). He is very ... shall I say... precocious. I love him, yet some days he drives me mad with his whining. And he also gets into the trash, picks fights, bangs cupboard doors and basically eats anything he can get his paws on. We go through good cycles and bad, and I haven't figured out a pattern. He gets put in his room (our bedroom) when he needs a break. This and positive attention when he's not acting out seem to help.

I wish you much patience!

[texasnurse3]

I agree with the PP's. It sounds like he's feeling insecure b/c of all the recent changes, so some extra TLC when he's not being whiny should help some.