Cat jumping on door handle?

[Elaina]

Has anyone had a problem with their sphynx jumping on a door handle? She never manages to open the door, but I've noticed when she's stressed and my hubby and I are in bed she jumps on the handle continously. She has two playmates but nothing calms her unless we go down.

She had a bad start to life being bred from a terrible breeder who had a house full of cats, but didnt live there and would leave a big bag of food on the floor and fill the bath up for two weeks at a time. If she settled on the bed at night I would let her up but she doesn't. I worry that when she's shut in the lounge it brings back bad memories for her. Worried that she will end up hurting herself too.

 

[GoldHazel]

@Elaina is your sphynx locked in your room or out of your room during the night?

My have sphynx here that open and close doors! Doesn't matter if the door opens in to a room or out of the room, they know how to do it. Not stress related here...just for fun or if they want to open or close a door!

Sorry to hear about that breeder and your sphynx (and all the other ones this breeder had). So sad and cruel.

 

[Toa and Ross]

Sorry to hear about the rude situation your girl was in at her breeders house.
My boy Ross hated it when I first locked him in the livingroom (together with his brother and sister). He jumped against the door, scratched the door and meoowed like crazy. I ignored him and after a week he stopped doing it. Ross just wants to be with me during night, the other two don't care that they have to stay in the livingroom. I need them to stay in the livingroom cause I'm allergic.

Reason I tell you this is cause my boy Ross had a good start in life and still hates it to be locked in the livingroom. So maybe your girl jst don't want to be locked.

Is it possible to leave the door open? If not, maybe you can play with her before bedtime, give her a treat so she has a routine. You could starts practice this during daytime so you can build up. You can also leave on a radio so she still hears a voice. Some cats find this relaxing.

Hope you find a way to make it more easy for your girl.

 

[Elaina]

Thank you for your advice. I love having the cats in bed but only one of three settles, unfortunately Stella is one of them. If I left the door open she would meow continuously my bedroom door and scratch it. I like the idea of establishing a routine and some noise like a radio may help! Happy to give anything a go. Just hated the idea of me bringing back bad memories for her! We've recently got rid of our two sofas which is why I believe she's suddenly got like this. She loves to hide and currently doesn't feel like she can even though she has plenty of cat beds and scratches with compartments inside. Sphynx ay? Got to love them!

 

[GoldHazel]

@Elaina I've used a radio to soothe them since I had gotten my first sphynx as a baby. I see a difference with the radio on compared to off.

Does she have any tunnels to play with? If she did, maybe she would feel safer "hiding" in a tunnel since she used to hide when you had the two sofas.

You are doing a great job caring for her and with your love and time and patience, I'm sure she will come around and hopefully learn to forget about her past.

 

[Hairless Blessing]

@Elaina
Do you use Feliway diffuser's?
That might help, plus, put a heated bed on your bed side table
or in the floor on your side of the bed.