shock collars for cats?

Question

I wouldn't normally even consider ever using shock collars for any animal. But, I'm at my wits end and I don't know what else I can do... My husband and I have two male cats. Cozmo is 2 and Xander is 3. They are absolutely wonderful cats that get along with anyone and anything. The only problem is with Cozmo. We used to let both of them sleep with us in our room at night. Cozmo is very needy and likes to be next to us ALL the time. My husband and I are expecting our first baby in August, so we have been closing our bedroom door at night to get them used to not being in the bedroom with us all the time (since they won't be allowed in the room at night with the baby) Xander couldn't care less that we close the door, he sleeps on his favorite chair every night. Cozmo, on the other hand, cries outside the door every single night. It used to be so bad that he would cry every minute of the 8 hours we were trying to sleep. Now he cries for about half an hour every few hours.

We don't open the door and scold him, we have been completely "ignoring" it (and using ear plugs even though they don't really help) for about 4 months now and just dealing with not sleeping. We thought he would get used to it by now... I just don't know what to do at this point, and a shock collar was the only thing i can think of.

Answer 1

Hi there,



I wonder about trainers that suggest using shock collars for animals. Training needs to be done gently and with positive reinforcement, not with pain. Nothing that my cats could do would even trigger the thought of its use, either.



Shocking a pet, especially one who is suffering enough from separation anxiety can only make the situation worse. So do listen to that part of you that knows this is not wise to do this.



From what you wrote your cat is extremely attached to you, and is far more needing of your company than his feline companion. Some cats get very attached and really have a hard time being shut out. After all those years of sharing your bed,being ostracized from the bedroom is still very new to him and he is having lots of difficulty adjusting to not being with you, apparently.



With the coming baby, he may become more stressed and upset, actually, so my suggestion would be to talk with your vet about this and see if your vet can prescribe a mild tranquilizer that may help calm him down and make him less anxious. Also spend more time with him during the day to reassure him that you still love him,especially when the new baby arrives.



I have an oriental shorthair that gets highly anxious and in fact started spraying due to separation anxiety, as I work at home, and when I am working, the cats are not permited in my office, as I use a laptop. Laptops and cats are not a good mix .



My vet prescribed amytryptaline for the spraying behavior and it has calmed him down tremendously. He still plays and runs around normally, but when I am away from him, he is not anxious either, anymore and doesn't sing to me in front of the door either.



So perhaps your vet can help you with this issue, rather than going to the extreme of a shock collar. I think that would be really harsh for him and make matters worse.. he would not understand that treatment at all.



Hope this helps,



Troublesniffer

Owned by cats for over 40 years

Member Cat Writer's Association

Answer 2

Glad you updated your question to advise that you don't actually intend using a shock collar. However, given some people's blase attitude on this forum towards declawing and defanging cats, it's understandable that people were rightly concerned for Cozmo's welfare.



The technique of ignoring the meowing really is the best way of dealing with this behaviour. Usually it only takes a month or so for this method to work, but it sounds like Cozmo is finding the separation particularly distressing. I'm sure that there are lots of other changes taking place in your home and daily routine in readiness for the baby, and not all cats respond well to change. Perhaps he's finding the the changes a bit too much to cope with and simply wants the comfort of being near you at night.



Many cats are actually scared by the sound of babies crying, so you might find that once the baby arrives, that he loses any interest in sleeping in your bedroom. If you can find a recording of a baby crying, try playing it to see how he responds. If he runs a mile, then you could consider the option of allowing him to continue to sleep with you for now. If your main concern is that he might try to sleep with the baby, crib nets are effective protection against that happening.



If you're adamant that you don't want him sleeping in your room, then you'll either have to confine him to another room in the house at night or invest in an ultrasonic cat deterrent. The cat's movement triggers the sensor which then emit either an ultrasonic noise (inaudible to humans) or a burst of air to keep him away from the door.



http://www.deteracat.co.uk/indoor-cat-deterrent-sprayer.html



These leaflets have lots of useful advice on preparing cats for the arrival of a baby, which you may find helpful.



http://www.messybeast.com/cat_baby.htm

http://www.bluecross.org.uk/web/FILES/Literature/Your_cat_and_your_baby_leaflet.pdf

Answer 3

Man I can't believe what I've just read, shock collars are cruel enough used on dogs, used on a cat would send the poor creature right over the edge.He's doing nothing wrong, you've let your cats share your room and now suddenly, with no explanation to them, they can't ! Xander is obviously a more laid back cat and accepts what you do, but Cozmo is a sensitive soul and feels things deeply, how can you think of punishing him so cruelly ??All he will know is that he is being hurt,he won't know why, for God's sake man !!

I hope you aren't like the callous people whose cats are their babies until 'real' babies come along, there's no reason to be unkind to animals when a family starts. It's great for babies and children to grow up with pets around, and there's no reason why not man !

As others have said, if you don't want the cats with you, shut them away from you, its piling on the agony letting Cozmo see your closed door !!

Answer 4

Hello there,



Frankly I'm a bit surprised at the personal attacks going on here. I understand that it's really tough going through this sleep deprivation, and I think it's an excellent idea to try to get your cats used to the changes little by little.



I don't know all that much about shock collars - I have no idea if they make some for cats. I had a neighbour once who had a vibration collar (instead of shocking, they buzz and vibrate, which annoys the dog instead of hurting it) for his ****-tzu, but I don't know if there are any smaller sizes which would be effective. What I do know is that cats are quite a bit smarter, and much more nervous than dogs. It would be just a huge shock to the system (excuse the pun) if you tried using that. Your cat would start to distrust you much more, because he'd be going from associating nights with cuddling to nights and unpleasantness.



There have been quite a few suggestions to shut him into a room, or just to let him be until the day you bring the baby home. One thing which you didn't mention is that doctors recommend less contact with cats when you're pregnant, because your baby is at a higher risk from worms which cats sometimes have... So although the risk is probably really low, since I think your cats are indoors, decreasing your activity with him is good.



What always works with my cat if I have to distract him is wet food. When I layer the wet food under the dry, it distracts him for a few minutes, and after that he's satisfied from a good meal and much more likely to just go to sleep and be quiet. If you try doing that just before you close off your bedroom, it might decrease his behaviour (but this depends on the cat too.)



Something else you might want to do is have a source of heat available. One of my previous cats loved to sleep on the DVD player (it was a bit bigger than todays') because when we left it on at night it was warmer for her. If you put the heaters on in the room where you want the cats to sleep, he might make himself a comfortable place to sleep there.



Good luck, and congrats.

Answer 5

Surely you wouldn't be so cruel as to apply shocks to Cozmo when he's already confused and upset over the new sleeping arrangements, spraying, shouting hitting or even opening the door (unless you're letting him in to the room) will do no good it will only confuse him more if you're kind to him by day and nasty to him by night. If you're determined to keep him out of the bedroom then see him safely and comfortably settled in another room with food, water, litter tray and toys, make sure he's not too warm and not too cold and if he can have Xander for company so much the better. Then close the door and leave it closed until morning. He will have no choice but to get used to it.



There is no need to resort to cruelty, what is it you intend to do anyway? Zap him outside your bedroom door and make him cry even louder? It isn't his fault that your family is growing, please don't make him pay by feeling pain and fear on top of rejection!.

Answer 6

Have you any idea how cruel shock collars are ? How can you even think of such an idea when poor Cozmo is so bewildered, wondering why suddenly he isn't allowed to sleep with you as he used to.He is doing nothing wrong and punishing a cat in any way is no way to train them at all.Shouting, squirting water, hitting (even lightly) are all very unkind and pointless, the cat just becomes nervous of you and more miserable. You are storing up trouble for when the baby arrives too as Cozmo will be very jealous of him/her if you treat him so badly now.Your cats know you are pregnant, cats are very intelligent.Cozmo just wants to share your happiness. There's no reason to shut him out if he's regularly treated against worms and fleas.When the baby arrives, just make sure the cot is always covered by a cat net, we have our babies and children along with our cats around,with no problems. If you really don't want him in the bedroom, then maybe you could shut him in a room further away from yours,along with Xander for company. Make sure they have scratching posts and catnip toys to amuse them.

Your cats are part of your family, you don't have to make them unhappy because you have a baby coming, you especially should never ever use a shock collar.

Answer 7

Hi there,



First of all a shock collar could actually kill your cat as cats have very delicate necks and the voltage is designed for dogs. I don't personally believe they should be used on dogs either.



Second of all it would NEVER work as cats don't respond to punishment AND you have no right to punish him for begging to be near you. You'd will completely traumatize the cat if you try this.



I have found a solution for you and it means you don't have to keep the cat locked out at all.



They have created these things called cat nets, there is one for full sized cribs and one for Bassinets. It's a mesh devise that is fitted over the crib or bassinet specifically designed to protect the baby from the cat. (Link in Source box)



Also I'd strong suggest you clip the cats nails every two weeks to keep them dull.



The cats have been in your lives and in your bed for years and I have never understood why so many women just turn their backs on them when their human babies are born.



There are ways for both cat and baby to peacefully coexist.



Good Luck

Answer 8

A shock collar? For a distressed cat? Oh my word I can't believe that anyone would even consider this. Haven't you ever heard of kindness and compassion?



Why does everyone feel the need to punish cats for the heinous crime of simply being cats? We have people advocating "bopping" them, yelling at them, spraying them with water, declawing them, crating them, defanging them and even filing teeth down and in the end these poor creatures are just cats being cats!



You've made Cozmo dependant on you and now you're going to have to be patient until he forgets about cosying up in bed and gets used to being shut out, make a ritual of putting him to bed in another room, with Xander, give them cuddles and kisses, plenty to eat and drink, toys to play with, a litter box and a little bit of light maybe leave a curtain open just a bit so they can watch out the window to pass the time. When you're ready to leave them say firmly "Goodnight", close the door and go to bed. Don't open the door again until it's time for them to get up, go in and say "Good morning" say this goodnight and good morning every time you put them to bed and get them up, they will learn that once you've said goodnight you will not be returning until morning. Cats are intelligent, they will learn but the best way to teach any animal be it human or feline is by kindness.

Answer 9

whatever you do please do not use a shock collar.Cosmo has been allowed in your room for 2 years and 4 months is no time really when you are trying to break a habit. My cats always had the run of the house, but when I hurt my back, it was no longer possible to have them all in with me coming and going as they pleased. I know you say that you are only just dealing with not sleeping, but dont worry too much as when the baby arrives they have a very nasty habit of waking every 2 hours or less, and that means they need changing and feeding as well. Cosmo thinks he has been bad in some way and that you are punishing him, it may help for you or your hubby to get up and try to pacify him in some way and take him with a small bowl of food or treat to a spot where you would like him to settle. A shock collar wont help it will just make him more confused and more restless. I am afraid you are just going to have to persevere patience will win in the end.

Answer 10

A shock collar, even if you could get one for cats, would just traumatise Cozmo and make him very anxious.He doesn't know why you've stopped letting him in your bedroom, he must be totally unhappy and confused, poor cat.

You need to make those 2 cats feel loved and wanted right now, they're not just toys to put away !

I've never heard of such goings on in our country, shutting cats out, people 'advising' putting them in cages, hitting them and well..... using shock collars takes the biscuit.....They are living feeling beings just like us !! They are family !

Answer 11

Words almost fail me ! How unkind to think of torturing a cat with a shock collar, if that's what you think, your poor cat would be better off being rehomed.

Now is the time you should be giving your cats extra love and attention, so that when your baby arrives, they feel happy and loved and there is no jealousy.

There's no reason to shut them out of your bedroom 3/4 months before the baby comes,even if you feel you must then. They are your babies now and they still will be, hopefully, albeit furry ones. To punish your cat so cruelly has no rhyme or reason !

Answer 12

Well missus if you dont want to do it why bring it up in the first place - how did such an appalling idea get into your head? you must have considered it to even mention it i cant believe anybody would be do cruel as to not only reject the cat who obviously has been made to be dependant on you but then want to cause fright and pain just cos its now not convenient to let cat sleep with you



hells teeth surely your capable of putting the cats in a comfortable room and shutting the door without having to resort to such horrible things



and those who think its ok to hit cats - shout at cats-spray cats with water and shock cats well you just dont deserve to have a cat in your lives



better get used to no sleep and all - if you think you sleep deprived now wait till babby come - unless you try shock collar on babby as well so it doesnt cry and wake you up

Answer 13

I don't know that a shock collar will actually solve the problem. I do have some alternate suggestions- tts a bit unorthodox for cats, but a fairly typical solution for dogs, and I don't see why it wouldn't work. My suggestion is to let her stay in the room, in a crate or kitty condo, and also to use Feliway plug ins to decrease stress. Feliway is usually used to decrease urine marking, but is also supposed to decrease stress behaviors, so should have some beneficial effect. Make the crate comfy. Once the cat is sleeping comfortably in your room, move the crate around the room a bit, a different spot each night, then out of the room.



Another something to try is to use a white noise generator, or a recording that incorporates brain wave technology to assist the cat- and you- to get some sleep. I've used brain wave technology for years to help me sleep when I have trouble (I work night shift) and I know several people who use this for their dogs when traveling to dog competitions. In spite of the differences between cats and dogs, and humans, we all have approximately the same brain wave patterns.

Answer 14

shock collars could rly hurt the cat. i would use the spray bottle and say no. or just maybe move the chair in your living room or somthing. youve just created a rly great relationship with ur cats, and he thinks that u dont love him that much anymore. hes used to the attention that hes not getting anymore

Answer 15

Wow, you do have a weird situation here. I have a similar one with my cat Ray, except she doesn't cry, she puts her paw under the door and runs it along the bottom, which creates noise. Our Solution was to put on relaxation music, but I don't know if your the type of person who has to have silence to sleep or not, but that's one option beside the collar. Another option is put her in the bathroom at night with food and water of coarse. I understand what you are going through, but maybe you do need to confront her, mayve with a water bottle and tell her NO. Good luck and Congrats on the baby!

Answer 16

Shock collars seem inhumane and abusive. I don't agree with those for dogs or cats. Try putting him and the other cat in another room with litter box, food, and water. He probably still meow, but you won't be able to hear him. Please try to remember that although you're having a baby, these are your babies too and treat them kindly.

Answer 17

Well, you could try it. That's bad, still yowling after 4 months. The shock collars I have used have a bunch of settings, and the low ones just barely get the animals attention. I have had great success training dogs with them, but cats might be completely different. But ya gotta sleep...



BTW, one notices that none of the people criticizing shock collars seem to have ever used them, or know anything about them, or have put them on themselves to experience the actual effect.