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Hmm. When does it scratch you? Just randomly? Maybe you're getting too rough with it or touching it too much and it's trying to tell you to give it some space?
Are you playing with it daily? I strongly recommend playing with it for at least 5-10 minutes every day. It's the equivalent to taking it for a walk and helps curb a lot of behavioral issues. This is hands down the best toy you can get - https://www.amazon.com/Cat-Dancer-101-Interactive-Toy/dp/B0006N9I68. My cats are also partial to chasing rolled up tinfoil balls that I throw for them.
For behavioral stuff I recommend checking out some books by the My Cat From Hell guy Jackson Galaxy. He's an actual expert, so his advice will probably be more helpful.
They make actual items like that now, nicknamed "snuggle mamas" for orphaned kittens/puppies.
https://www.amazon.com/Smart-Pet-Love-Snuggle-Behavioral/dp/B001V7UHG8
He was on the right track with that!
Yes!! Came to say the same. Damn thing is $3 on Amazon and my cat goes insane for it. All the expensive toys just sit gathering dust.
Cat Dancer 101 Cat Dancer Interactive Cat Toy https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0006N9I68/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_VKE1J462AJ0QB3Z4S0DC?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
I love the Snuggle Kitty for kittens because it has a little heartbeat in it.
Pop N Play interactive cat toy. Only got 3.5 stars, so apparently it’s not that ingenious.
I just remembered that they make a plush kitty that has a heartbeat. We used it when we fostered kittens.
What about some toys that are like this? I use toys like these. They are prompted by the cat playing with it but are also encouraging them to keep playing by maintaining their interest.
They make stuffed animals with artificial heartbeats that simulates the presence of mom. You could get her one of those to snuggle with.
Pop N Play Interactive Cat Toy. Here is a link to the one I bought.
To be honest I do not recommend it just because of how loud it is. My cats hated it lol. Then again it’s only $20 so you might as well try
I have a VERY needy VERY active cat as well (even though she's almost 12!). She wants to play and be in my lap or snuggle or just be all up in my business ALL the time and also yowls outside my door when I'm working or sleeping. I got her this toy a few years ago and she LOVES IT. I buy her so many goddamn toys, a lot are expensive and interactive, but this is the one she loves THE MOST by far. A lot of other cats love it too. It looks like it might be semi-sold out on amazon right now but they have it a lot of places and it's normally only around $12. It has lasted years now despite her constant aggressive attacks. Whenever she's annoying me I turn it on and she immediately runs over to it and goes nuts. Highly recommend.
Also, getting draft guards for under your interior doors (bedroom door, office, etc) really, really helps to muffle the noise. I got them because my cat would reach her paw under the door and violently jiggle it back and forth, making a ton of noise, but after I installed them I learned it also really cut down on noise from the other side (aka her constant cries for attention).
You additionally need to be consistent with not responding to her going nuts. If your office is in an individual room, close the door while you're working and don't let her in no matter what. I used to let her sleep in my bed and when my boyfriend (now husband) started staying over a lot he was like um..no, because she knocks over everything in the room very aggressively at like 4am to wake me up. She was very mad at first but now she's used to it and she has plenty of very comfy places all over the house to sleep instead.
https://www.amazon.com/Cat-Dancer-101-Interactive-Toy/dp/B0006N9I68
This is some bits of cardboard on a thin black wire. Because the wire is very thin and black its almost invisible when moving, and the rigidity of the wire makes the cardboard move around erratically.
My cat goes absolutely insane for this toy to the point where I have to hide it when we aren't actively playing with it because if I don't she will drag it into a corner and act like a feral cat. It's a little over $2 on amazon but they sell it in most pet stores for about the same price.
If you want it to stop, try getting him one of these! It helped a lot with a rescue that had separation anxiety from being taken from mom too early and would suck/knead inappropriately.
The best toy I’ve ever found is the Cat Dancer.
So simple, but in 30 years I’ve never found anything better. Easy to entertain them while on a zoom call, because it bounces around just right so they think you are paying attention to them and not that stupid screen you keep staring at for no reason. Yes, it looks like you could easily make your own - but the cats clearly understand that a homemade version is inferior, so just spend the $2.
What kind of toys does he have? Cats will choose what they like (they never want our advice). Make sure you have interactive toys... things that will tire him.
This ball tower thing is a hit with our cats.
Find other toys that might keep him bouncing around. And, of course, throw some big empty boxes in the garage... as they all play with the boxes anyways.
Did the place you got him from ever try socializing him with other cats? He might settle down if he has a feline buddy to hang around with (because humans are boring). If you try this, I would start with talking to the shelter people about his history and if they ever successfully put him with others. They may be able to help you match him with an acceptable playmate.
Keep trying... show him love and patience. With time, he may settle down. Thank you for giving him the chance. The fact that he's had homes and been returned shows him nothing is permanent. He needs to see that he's staying and that you care about him.
Ahh I’m jealous, kittens are so fun! And a huge pain, but mostly fun lol. You probably already have a bunch of cat toys, but if you do need any I always tell people to get a cat dancer or a da bird. Cats go absolutely NUTS for both of them and I don’t know why
I got it here but I honestly don't recommend this product bc the sound box doesn't work, which is how it became his raggedy "dead animal"esque toy lol
Get him a lavendar collar and one of these
The lavendar helps relax them generally and the cat gives them a higher spot in the social order so they feel less anxious. My cat loves hers
It’s called a “Cat Dancer”. They’re super inexpensive ($1.99 on Amazon last time I bought one). My bengal would make these adorable chirping sounds he didn’t normally make while playing with it. It’s also great because you can tape it to the wall when your arm gets tired and they can bat at it on their own time. I’ve given them as gifts to several friends and every cat seems to love it. Here’s the link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0006N9I68/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_W5V7BbWNMZ1VK
Best cat toy ever is the cat dancer, it's literally a wire with some rolled cardboard strips. Costs about $4? My cat is 14 and still loves to play with it even after all these years. edit- $2 on Amazon https://www.amazon.com/Cat-Dancer-101-Interactive-Toy/dp/B0006N9I68
Cat Dancer or similar toy. It’s on a hard wire so you just have to twitch it slightly for it to move wildly. I can even play with kitty while reading a book
Cat Dancer 101 Cat Dancer Interactive Cat Toy https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0006N9I68/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_sNPuFb3XJK28R
A valid concern. They are likely prone to sleep upwards of 15 hours a day so of they're awake and alone while you're at work, that's totally an appropriate use for toys. The best tool I've seen for that is little springs/coils like this since they're lightweight and zip around the room when they bat at them. Not dissimilar to seeing how a cat goes after a mouse that has the misfortune of creeping into the house. So it's also good exercise that feeds into their natural instincts. Just be ready to have to regularly fish them out from under the couch.
Any pole with a string and/or feather should do the trick. I use this for my cat, but some cats prefer the ones with feathers. I'm wary of the feather ones because they can rip the feathers off and try to eat them, so use your best judgment.
My cat isn't really food or treat motivated, either. He's the opposite-- hates wet food, hates human food, just wants dry food. Looks insulted when I insist on giving him wet food part of the time because it's healthier. I still give him treats to reward him, which he'll accept, but in a very casual, "Oh well, if you're offering, I guess" sort of way. Some cats only like certain kind of texture or flavors.
The thing with the wand toy in this case is that it will help make you more interesting than whatever else is competing for her attention. So if you wiggle it at her, you'll have more success getting her attention back from whatever she was distracted by in the first place.
Cat dancer is really awesome & highly recommended.
https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/product/cat-dancer-cat-charmer
Also, this is is very inexpensive & provides tons of entertainment & activity.
I bought this one and my cats can't get enough of it. Best cat toy yet!
My 3 three cats and my 10 year old Corgi loves those Catchaser toys. They're like $2. These are like my favorite cat toys. See link.
https://www.amazon.com/Cat-Dancer-101-Interactive-Toy/dp/B0006N9I68
My cat also LOVES this wand toy. Someone on this sub recommended it to me and she can’t have a day without it
Cat Dancer Products Rainbow Cat Charmer https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B007VPFC8C/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_MR5SEZTTYQTQCF0E3XPE?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
Also I would suggest if you do leave toys out for her to swap them out occasionally so she feels like she’s getting constant new toys. I have a lot (I spoil her too much) and leave out like five and swap them out if she seems to have lost interest in any with something else. They’ll eventually go back into the rotation and she’ll love it again
Lol oh no :(! I actually got a bonded pair, so her and her brother will wrestle and tire each other out. Was actually part of the reason I considered getting two! I got them this toy though that they seem to love, and it also gives me a break. It's so hard to keep up with them with all the energy they have, they're babies after all! https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B06WP7F8YC/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apap_dOaTj6oizocX7 It's like an auto wand on a rotating wheel thing. They go ape shit for it lol. Hope this helps?! Haha ¯_(ツ)_/¯
Not similar in style, but my cat goes absolutely wild for hair ties too and he loves this wire toy from Amazon as much (if not more).
Cat Dancer 101 Cat Dancer Interactive Cat Toy https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0006N9I68/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_K6tDAb87MYF99
The Pop N Play, here’s a clean Amazon link:
https://www.amazon.com/Allstar-Innovations-Play-Interactive-Motion/dp/B07R1Z8BB9
Edit: This one has better reviews and seems functionally similar. Plus it’s INTERACTIVE:
https://www.amazon.com/PetFusion-INTERACTIVE-electronic-nighttime-batteries/dp/B07F391BX2