HELP: Pet vs Play conflict

[viranimus]

Ok, So I got a pound kitten for christmas this year and for the most part its been going quite well. I have one major problem with it though. It wont allow me to play any games.

I know its affection, But If I try to sit down and hold a controller in my hand it forces its way in so that there is no way to comfortably hold the controller without squishing it.

He is absolutely fascinated by what goes on On screen. And as such I had to give up playing fat princess because he goes ballistic and tries to bat at all the chars running around all over the place. That in and of itself would just be cute and not a problem if not for how razor sharp his claws stay (Yes I keep them trimmed, but he just keeps sharpening them) and how pliable my LCD monitor is, Im afraid hes going to puncture the monitor and ruin it.

So I am open to any suggestions. I would imagine im not the first person to deal with this kind of thing given how many pictures on Icanhascheesburger one can find of cats batting at objects on screen. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated on how I can curb this.

 

[Count Igor]

Put a ball and chain around his ankle.
..
Well, or anything heavier.
..
Ok fine, maybe keep him in a different room?

 

[Kaboose the Moose]

How about lifting the TV off the ground or moving it somewhere where the kitten can't get to it.

As for the controller..well hold it away from the kitten.

Or keep it in a different room/get a kitten play-pen

Profit???

 

[PunkyMcGee]

cat's have retractable claws so it shouldn't be a problem cat's like the feel of the electromagnetism that comes of a TV screen (that's my understanding of it anyway) your not alone with that problem ether youtube is filled with similar vids

 

[JezebelinHell]

I would suggest a spray bottle of water but hey that just isn't practical in this instance. I guess you could cover things in clear plastic if you are desperate and give it a try that way. You want to try to shoot it in a way that they really don't know where it is coming from so you may want someone else to handle the spraying while you have the controller. Otherwise, loud noises work with dogs. You take a can with a lid and fill it with coins and shake it when they do something you don't want them to. Also, it may be just an age issue at this point but you really want to try to get it under control at some point but with dogs it is best to put off real involved training until 6 months or so depending on the breed.
I have dogs and bunnies, no cats. As far as I am concerned cats can't be trained or anyone I know with one is too damn lazy to bother... Come to think of it most of the people I know with dogs have VERY RUDE ones... So it is probably just the owners and not the cats fault.

 

[Dags90]

Stop feeding your kitten speed and wait for it to fall asleep? Kittens sleep upwards of 15 hours a day. If he wants attention, give it to him until he falls asleep or gets bored of you. It really shouldn't take longer than 30 minutes to an hour and you'll have equal or more time to play games.

 

[Moonscream]

You have to give the kitten something else to do while you are playing your game (like flicking a wand toy at them when you have a second to take your hand off the controller)...or play with him/her beforehand and wear them out. A kitten, particularly one that is the only one in the house, needs interaction with you, especially if they've been alone all day.

I've had both a dog and cats. Unlike what many non-cat owners think, cats CAN be trained, and usually learn more quickly than dogs...then get bored and distracted even more quickly. You can't approach it the same as a dog, which is 'me master, you do what I say' - cats need to see a reason or reward for doing what you ask. It's more like having a roommate - you have some absolutes (use the litterbox, stay off the counters...), but everything else is negotiable.

--Moony

 

[viranimus]

Thanks for all the suggestions thus far. What ive been trying to do is the method of tiring it out before I start to play. Given that its a kitten it has entirely too much energy right now and that will dissipate over time.

As for moving the tv up, its not realistic. Im at the moment in a microscopic bedroom thats 8x6 and the monitor is next to the bed and already raised up, If I raise it up more the aspect angle will start to make the screen unviewable. Somewhat already is, but its the only situation. Also on that same line, Squirt bottle isnt real viable yet as if its getting near the monitor, the spray is likely to hit the monitor as well as the cat and do just as much damage to the monitor, if not more.

The electromagetisim aspect is something I hadnt considered. I guess they dont always lead with claws first, but the behavior is that of a pouncing behavior, which made me worry about the claws. That assumption on my part may well be entirely wrong.

I could do the lock him out of the room thing, but in the short time Ive had him hes grown extremely attached to me. He basically doesnt care for anyone else in the house and if I leave for more than 3 minutes where he cant find me, (seriously Ive never seen a cat be so attached. I havent used the bathroom alone since he got here)He starts crying and usually wont stop until I return. Perhaps its best to break him of that habit early and kill two birds with one stone.

But Im guessing the best bet is to give it time, and within a month my situation will be changing where I will have vastly more room and so will he. In the mean time, I think I will focus more on playing with him before I try to play and wear him out in advance.

Again thanks for the ideas, and any other suggestions are still greatly appreciated. Thank you all.