I hit my cat and I feel absolutely terrible about it

Hi there,

As mentioned above, stop beating yourself up. What’s done is done!

Regarding your question about how to stop them from getting on the furniture, here is what I did.

I’m the third owner of two cats; they are about 6 years old. Gaminou is an absolute angel—well-behaved, sweet, cuddly, and obedient—but then there’s Croquette, who is the total opposite. Everything annoying you could possibly imagine, SHE does it. Keeping me awake at night, peeing right next to her litter tray even though I’ve just cleaned it, peeing in the laundry basket, climbing on the furniture... but what I really can’t stand is her walking all over the kitchen worktops and the table.

So, from the start, whenever she jumped on the table, I would SHOUT a loud "NO" while clapping my hands, and she’d jump down pretty fast. I’d then hammer it home by shouting, "NOT ALLOWED!" Gaminou would just stand there petrified, so I’d tell him, "Croquette is being naughty."

After two months, Croquette finally got the message. No more wandering on the worktops or the table (at least when I’m around). Now, when I see her heading towards the kitchen, before she can even get up to any mischief, I say: "Croquette, not allowed," and surprisingly, she turns back.

I have to admit, it’s about the only thing I’ve managed to get her to do. What’s more, Croquette knows the word "naughty" very well, and before she decides to do anything, I tell her "no naughtiness, Croquette." It works, but you have to be persistent because Croquette has plenty of tricks up her sleeve, and the moment you let your guard down, she’s right back at it again.

@Blue Cat

Hi Blue, lovely to see you back with us 👍

I’ve just moved the furniture that was letting him climb up onto the railing, and I’ve asked a home netting company (who also make nets for catamarans) for a quote to fill the gap, as the cat nets you find online are just too big.

We were playing together this morning with his little friend (which definitely made my dog jealous!) and now he’s off wandering the neighbourhood.

It always worries me a bit when he leaves the garden, but it’s impossible to stop him – he can squeeze through any little gap. My female cat rarely leaves the garden, but he’s a proper explorer and is always out patrolling his territory.

I’ve even had a look with my gardener, but it’s impossible to keep him in. At the same time, he loves it so much I can’t really deprive him of his time outside.

He’s fully jabbed, which is a relief given what he eats: birds, mice, moles, lizards... he even brought me a snake once! Luckily it was just a grass snake.

I keep a close eye out for toads and move them as soon as I see one (I put them near some water in the bushes, well away from my pets).

I’ve even had them vaccinated against rabies because there are quite a few bats in the area, and my cat would be more than capable of eating one if he caught it.

I do everything for my pets; I’m so attached to them and I worry about them constantly. I’ve recently been through a long illness and he’s a huge help to me in my daily life.

That’s why I’m feeling so guilty about it all.

The awful noise was more than enough of a punishment in itself for a cat.

If you just gave him a smack on the bottom, it’s unlikely that you’ve actually hurt him.