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brianmilby · Aug 16, 2010, 01:46 PM

I have a young male cat about 11 months.old who insists on climbing up the posts of the overhang to my roof and then won't get down. He doesn't do this out of fright. I've watched him just do it on a whim almost. Then he cries until I come and get him. What can I do to discourage this? I' ve seen him get down by himself. Is this just for attention?

ashleycam · Aug 16, 2010, 01:53 PM

All 3 of our cats do the same. I have no clue why, however we STOPPED going up after them and it has slowed a bit since then. I think it is like a huge tree maybe...

brianmilby · Aug 16, 2010, 01:56 PM

Originally Posted by ashleycam

All 3 of our cats do the same. I have no clue why, however we STOPPED going up after them and it has slowed a bit since then. I think it is like a huge tree maybe....

It's in rural TN. So I'm thinking he hears birds up there, and once he gets up there why not mess with that guy down there!

Wondergirl · Aug 16, 2010, 02:06 PM

We have two outdoor ferals that we got spayed but returned to the outdoors where they are happier. They climb up a tree near our house and romp around on our roof. Cats like high places.

If you know your cat can get down by himself, yeah, he's probably doing it for attention and maybe for a food treat that he thinks you will give him.

brianmilby · Aug 16, 2010, 02:10 PM

Originally Posted by Wondergirl

We have two outdoor ferals that we got spayed but returned to the outdoors where they are happier. They climb up a tree near our house and romp around on our roof. Cats like high places.

If you know your cat can get down by himself, yeah, he's probably doing it for attention and maybe for a food treat that he thinks you will give him.

You mean that he KNOWS he will get, the spoiled little brat!

Wondergirl · Aug 16, 2010, 02:12 PM

I'll bet his meowing is really heart-rending and piteous.

brianmilby · Aug 16, 2010, 02:16 PM

Originally Posted by Wondergirl

I'll bet his meowing is really heart-rending and piteous.

That's how he gets away with it, even though I know(and he knows) he's not hurt or ill. He's the son of the Mother cat I still have. Three of her other kittens I had to give away, so he's an only "child?"

Wondergirl · Aug 16, 2010, 02:21 PM

Yes, now I can see how he got to be so spoiled. Why did you decide to keep this particular kitten?

brianmilby · Aug 16, 2010, 02:29 PM

Originally Posted by Wondergirl

Yes, now I can see how he got to be so spoiled. Why did you decide to keep this particular kitten?

Actually, because of all the squalling and demanding. He kept running behind me or jumping in my lap when people came to look at the others I'm not really complaining though. I like the attention too. Who is thomas Jefferson?

lJ. · Aug 16, 2010, 02:47 PM

Is he an outdoor or indoor cat? If he stays in mostly, or at times when he always wants out, he may simply want to stay outside, though I wouldn't recommend that for safety purposes [cars, and other animals, and possible bites diseases, etc.] You should make sure he eats and drinks and exercises, goes to the bathroom if he is on the roof a lot. You should consult your vet to try to get more information on his behavoir. Good luck!

hheath541 · Aug 16, 2010, 03:00 PM

You can try putting a dish of food or holding a treat for him. He only gets it if he climbs down on his own. Over time, that should get him to be more willing to get down on his own. You'll have to stop going up after him, though.

I know how hard it is to resist a crying kitty. One of my babies will sit and make the saddest, most pathetic little cries when he wants food. It makes me want to cuddle him and give him all the treats in the world, but I have to stop myself.

brianmilby · Aug 17, 2010, 06:16 AM

Originally Posted by lJ.

Is he an outdoor or indoor cat? If he stays in mostly, or at times when he always wants out, he may simply want to stay outside, though I wouldn't recommend that for safety purposes [cars, and other animals, and possible bites diseases, etc.] You should make sure he eats and drinks and exercises, goes to the bathroom if he is on the roof a lot. You should consult your vet to try to get more information on his behavoir. Good luck!

He is an outdoor cat. He pretty much stays on the front deck with his mother all day. They occasionally go into the barn if it's hot out or they get bored. I find them there just snoozing. We hardly have any traffic on our road. It's very rural. My only problem would be raccoons or possums at night but; I've seen them handle themselves pretty well.

morgaine300 · Aug 17, 2010, 07:10 PM

You don't need a vet to explain this behavior. Cats climb. They like high places. End of explanation.

He's got you trained well. I don't even think you need the food to encourage him down. (Unless maybe you don't want him out at night or something and then want him back inside.) I think you should just ignore him and let him get down when he's good and ready. If he doesn't like getting back down, and doesn't get rewarded for coming down, maybe he'll decide he doesn't want to be up there to begin with. But if I know cats, he'll want up there anyway.

We used to have a cat that got places up in the top of the garage and also up on the roof. Somehow she found a little cubby hole leading into the attic. So she'd go outside, and then end up in the attic. It was a little weird.

brianmilby · Aug 18, 2010, 06:22 AM

Originally Posted by morgaine300

You don't need a vet to explain this behavior. Cats climb. They like high places. End of explanation.

He's got you trained well. I don't even think you need the food to encourage him down. (Unless maybe you don't want him out at night or something and then want him back inside.) I think you should just ignore him and let him get down when he's good and ready. If he doesn't like getting back down, and doesn't get rewarded for coming down, maybe he'll decide he doesn't want to be up there to begin with. But if I know cats, he'll want up there anyway.

We used to have a cat that got places up in the top of the garage and also up on the roof. Somehow she found a little cubby hole leading into the attic. So she'd go outside, and then end up in the attic. It was a little weird.

They're a lot weird but, that's part of the appeal. I know all that crying is fake, but...

hheath541 · Aug 18, 2010, 11:07 AM

... but it tugs at your heart and you end up giving in because you love them.

brianmilby · Aug 18, 2010, 11:12 AM

Originally Posted by hheath541

...but it tugs at your heart and you end up giving in because you love them.

Could'nt of answered any better than that! He knows he's the only one out of the litter. And he Acts like it! His mother (my other cat) doesn't pay him as much attention as I do. She's the smart one!

morgaine300 · Aug 19, 2010, 01:42 AM

Originally Posted by hheath541

...but it tugs at your heart and you end up giving in because you love them.

Actually, no I don't. It's called tough love. I do what I think is best for their health. They get plenty of attention, and their health includes love and attention. And occasionally they get to indulge in something.

But there's a difference between loving and spoiling.

hheath541 · Aug 19, 2010, 11:55 AM

My babies get love and attention and are definitely spoiled. They also get disciplined when they've misbehaved and ignored when they demands for attention and/or treats will only promote unwanted behavior.

brianmilby · Aug 20, 2010, 06:12 AM

Originally Posted by morgaine300

Actually, no I don't. It's called tough love. I do what I think is best for their health. They get plenty of attention, and their health includes love and attention. And occasionally they get to indulge in something.

But there's a difference between loving and spoiling.

I agree but, it's still tough.