Can anybody give me some advice about a newly adopted adult cat that has some bad apartment habits?

He meows a lot when we leave to go to work or school, so I put him in the bathroom until I come back. Its a big bathroom with his litter box and food and a bed so I dont feel bad about that. He also scratches at the carpet when the doors are closed at night, so we put him in the bathroom and he wouldn't stop meowing. During the day when we are here he is perfect, but when we leave I don't want his meowing to bother the other residents at all, so thats why I put him in the bathroom during the day when we are gone.Can anybody give me some advice about a newly adopted adult cat that has some bad apartment habits?
you didn't mention whether he had all the things he needs besides his food and bed and litter box...





-he needs toys to give him something to do while you're at work/sleeping


here's some links to help with his boredom:


cat boredom busters, article:


http://www.drsfostersmith.com/pic/articl鈥?/a>


Playtime and Toys, online videos:


http://petvideo.com/index.cgi?category=2鈥?/a>


Play Therapy, article:


http://www.catsinternational.org/article鈥?/a>





-he needs something to scratch to keep him from scratching the doors and walls


here's some links to help with his scratching:


3 ways to prevent cat scratching, article:


http://www.drsfostersmith.com/pic/articl鈥?/a>


Scratching, online videos:


http://petvideo.com/index.cgi?category=2鈥?/a>


Curb Inappropriate Scratching, Digging, and Off-Limits Access, article:


http://www.drsfostersmith.com/pic/articl鈥?/a>


Keep Cats Off Furniture, article:


http://www.drsfostersmith.com/pic/articl鈥?/a>


Scratching Furniture A Common Behavior, article:


http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?鈥?/a>





You may need to do alittle research into feline stress (your cat is in a new environment, your cat is probably stressed):


Relax your cat in times of stress, article:


http://www.drsfostersmith.com/pic/articl鈥?/a>


Stressed cat coping strategies, article:


http://www.drsfostersmith.com/pic/articl鈥?/a>


The importance of Mental and Emotional Well-being, article:


http://www.drsfostersmith.com/pic/articl鈥?/a>


Stress, article:


http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?鈥?/a>





and here are come links about bringing your cat home:


welcome home, online videos:


http://petvideo.com/index.cgi?category=2鈥?/a>


bringing kitty home, article:


http://www.hsus.org/pets/pet_adoption_in鈥?/a>





good luck with your new cat, as long as you provide your cat with stuff to do (toys) while you're not there, and take the time to train your cat to only scratch his scratching post (not your carpet) then he should be just fine.


remember that cats HATE change so just be patient and gentle, he'll soon learn that he is safe and loved, then he'll probably stop being so vocal.





ps-Since you say that he is only vocal when you're not home, I believe he may have a mild case of separation anxiety, here's a link on it:


http://www.drsfostersmith.com/pic/articl鈥?/a>


my cat has a severe case of separation anxiety so I can tell you from experience that it's a pain in the butt to have a special needs cat, however with just a few adjustments he'll be fine. Play Therapy might help, here is another link on play therapy for cats:


http://www.wihumane.org/education/Wiscon鈥?/a>


good luck again!Can anybody give me some advice about a newly adopted adult cat that has some bad apartment habits?
Have you tried leaving the radio on or the tv on low so he's got some mental stimulation?





A hamster/gerbil/mouse to watch in a cage he can't get them out of is also another remedy. Sort of like Cat TV.
get him a friend
hes lonley my girl did this for a while when i got her give it some time.keep in mind the cats in a new enviorment and is around strange new people.try some rubbing alcohol on its nose i know it stops purring not sure about the meowing.hopefully youll have understanding neighbors like me and will bare with you and your new arrival for a bit
Is there any reason why the cat can't have the run of the house. The cat is in new surroundings so he has to adjust.


He needs lots of petting and reassurance that he is loved.


Get a scratching post and teach him how to use it. Be kind and loving. Move his bed and food out of the bathroom. Cats do not like to eat, sleep and potty in the same place(people are like that, too!) Cats sleep, alot...so he will probably sleep while you are gone.
adopt him another cat so he can have a friend