My cat, Captain Hughey, is extorting me. When he wants

[applegrove]

food, or tonight to be petted on his head, he goes to the coffee table and starts to destroy books. He literally tears them apart with his claws. Then I get upset. Then I feed him.

Any ideas how to retrain the little rat? I guess I will need a water pistol.

[FarPoint]

1. Maybe.....

Move the books.... and if you can, don't reward him for using this method of communicating his desire to snack....I would reward other actions he does to get attention that are pleasant...

[TexLaProgressive]

2. By feeding him aftrrr you are teaching him what works

When he starts destroying the books tell him NO! Put the books out of reach, ignore him for a bit before feeding or cuddling

[applegrove]

3. I know it. I just got some spray bottles to mist him.

Hopefully that tactic will let me get back in control of the situation.

[TexLaProgressive]

11. I wish you luck

our feline fur friends can be stubborn 🤣

[Sanity Claws]

4. Does he have regular feeding times?

I follow a schedule and he knows when he can expect his meals. He will remind me if I miss his dinner time.

[applegrove]

5. I feed him 4 times a day. I am p***y whipped.

[Irish_Dem]

6. The cat doesn't need to be retrained, you do.

It is basic behavior mod.
Do not reward bad behavior.


(Of course my two little Maltese dogs have trained me to do their bidding every minute of the day.)

[applegrove]

7. I am a notorious passive pet owner to my family.

I bought a water bottle that mists. I think that will work. Thanks for your encouragement.

[Irish_Dem]

8. It is just basic behavior mod.

You remember it from science or psych class.

Yes adverse stimuli can be good to change behavior.

It may take a while for the kitty to be re-trained.
So keep at it.

[applegrove]

9. Negative geotaxis.

[Irish_Dem]

10. One way to put it.

[FarPoint]

12. Since you posted this behavior....

Last edited Sat Dec 13, 2025, 11:11 AM - Edit history (1)

I have been paying attention to how my two cats communicate a desire....

My 20 year old, Sophia, she always comes up to me either onto my lap, then pats my face gently when its time to eat...She also meows loudly at times when I am at my desk, looking straight at me and even will go as far as patting my leg if I am not responding timely....

My other cat Luna...when hungry, she pulls her empty bowl down off the elevated box I keep it on...

[applegrove]

13. Like they would not get fed if they did not make a fuss.

[FarPoint]

14. Hahahah

Exactly..... as soon as I walk in from work, they greet me and want to eat....trigger thiny...