| T.R | Title | User | Personal
Name | Date | Lines |
|---|
| 144.1 | | PEN::KALLIS | | Mon Sep 16 1985 13:50 | 19 |
| Usually, a cat who uses the living room rug as a litterbox equivalent is
under emotional problems and is using the urinating as a call for atention.
My fiancee's cat used to do the same thing.
Remidies include: lots of extra attention.
Ammonia on the wet-spot while still wet for neutralization of the odor.
More attention.
If necessary, a tranquilizer or equivalent can reduce or eliminate the
"accidents" (in quotes cause they aren't).
See if there's any one thing that may be upsetting him. Change in routine,
visitors, especially noisy and boisterous (children, especially teenagers,
can fall into that category). Also a health checkup's a good idea, just in
case his distress is physical.
Steve Kallis, Jr.
|
| 144.2 | | HERMES::LOWE | | Mon Sep 16 1985 14:13 | 12 |
|
Both my inlaw's and our cat had a similar problem. The vet suggested a
change in diet as some cats are sensitive to foods. Before you do anything
drastic, put the cat on moist foods, and avoid ALL seafoods in the diet.
Seafood, in some cases, can cause the exact problem you are describing.
My wife was ready to explore your alternatives until her mother suggested
this. We've gone six weeks now with no accidents!
Give it a try!
CLL
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| 144.3 | | DRAGON::SPERT | | Mon Sep 16 1985 15:42 | 12 |
| Have you had your vet test the cat for FUS (feline urinary syndrome, I think)?
Male neutered cats are particularly prone to getting this. It's a blockage
in the urinary system that is quite painful for the cat, so they tend to
urinate as soon as they feel the urge. We've had various cats with this
problem and they've all been cured by a few days worth of medicine and
low ash food. Calo and Tender Vittles are low ash and have worked well
for our cats.
Talk to the vet about this. Vets are a mine of information about cat
behavior.
John
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| 144.4 | | SMILEY::EPPES | | Mon Sep 16 1985 16:11 | 31 |
| I have talked to the vet. It is not a medical problem. Nor do I
believe it is a dietary problem. I have never given him seafood.
Right now he gets canned food in the morning and dry food (low ash)
in the evening.
His behavior is quite deliberate. I have watched him go to the litterbox,
sniff at it and contemplate it for a minute or so, then turn around and
head for one of his spots in the living room. When I make a move towards
him, he immediately heads for the litterbox and uses it. He *knows* he's
doing the wrong thing by using the carpet.
It is difficult to chastise him because we almost never catch him in the
act. When we're around, he usually uses the litterbox (though sometimes
he needs a reminder, as I mentioned in the above paragraph). Most of the
times he uses the carpet are when we're not home or when we're asleep.
(Fortunately, he hasn't tried the bedroom carpet, knock on wood...)
I've heard about the extra attention theory, and we do try and give him
lots of attention. It doesn't seem to have helped the problem.
When this first started, one thing that occurred to me was that maybe the
litterbox wasn't clean enough for him. I never let it get bad, of course,
but since we got Jasper I have cleaned the box *every* time I notice that
it has been used (that is, I scoop out the wet litter or the solid matter;
I don't replace the litter every time, of course!). That doesn't seem to
have had much effect.
Thanks for your suggestions. Has anyone got any more?
-- Nina
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| 144.5 | | RENOVO::SECURITY | | Mon Sep 16 1985 21:06 | 5 |
| Have you tried changing litter brands? Each brand has its own smell,texture
etc., maybe you're using one that kitty doesnt like. I had that problem
once, and it was easily corrected by using a brand of litter that was
acceptable to them.
DENISE
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| 144.6 | | SMILEY::EPPES | | Tue Sep 17 1985 11:26 | 7 |
| Hmm, that's an idea.... I once used a different brand than the one I've
been using (the other brand was on sale), and Jasper *definitely* did not
like that other brand. Maybe he's not crazy about the usual brand, either.
It sure can't hurt to try different brands. Thanks! I'll let you know
if it makes any difference.
-- Nina
|
| 144.7 | | SPRITE::OSMAN | | Tue Sep 17 1985 14:37 | 16 |
| Try NOT removing things from the litter box. The cat just might smell
previous performances and be more likely to perform in box next time.
What I do is grab a fistful of litter from the bag and sprinkle it on
the performance, but I leave the performance in the box, and only change
the whole boxful when it gets "full" or starts to smell.
Another idea: the 60% of the time that cat performs in box, if you catch
it, give the cat a small real yummy snack just after that. He'll likely
start associating the two and use the box more often. You also might
try carrying him to the living room accident before you clean it up, holding
his nose near it (NOT on it), and then spanking him. The combination of
reward for good and punishment for bad ought to get his head straight.
/Eric
|
| 144.8 | | SMILEY::EPPES | | Tue Sep 17 1985 16:20 | 14 |
| RE .7 -- If I didn't have 2 cats, I'd probably not clean the box as often.
But with two, things tend to, uh, pile up fairly quickly. And some smell
still clings to the litter.
Rewarding him when he uses the box is an interesting idea. I have been
praising him lavishly when I catch him using it, but I haven't given him
any treats or anything. Maybe I'll try that, too.
I have pointed out his "mistakes" to him on occasion, but I don't think
it's made much impression...
Keep those cards and letters coming!
-- Nina
|
| 144.9 | | KATADN::BLUM | | Wed Sep 18 1985 16:08 | 42 |
|
I once had the same problem, Longhaired Silver (actually "Smoke") Persian,
pedigree and all....BARF BARF...what a agravation she was.... same
symptoms... crapou on the carpet...random.. as the mood struck apparently.
We tried.....Vet..health checkup..."feline whatever"...NO alls well he said.
We tried.....Change the diet.(vets idea)...sorry...no matter.
We tried chastize when caught in the act...reward when hitting the litterbox.
We tried..bigger littler boxes, different flavor litter, leaving the deposits,
immediately removing the deposits, covered litter box (my wifes idea.. a sort
of "private privy".
We tried.......Removing the most popular rug ....sorry..any rug will "do".
We tried.......REMOVING ALL THE RUGS...but only breifly....apparently
any soft wooly surface would "do" as we found nasty surprises on the
cahir and couch... we tried worming....sorry...no worms...no luck.....
in fact we tried everything....except the trank's...who needs a stoned out
cat....personally at that point (being a type A personality) I was ready
for the "over the rail" option.....but on urging from my spouse found a
really nice country home with a number of large barns/outbiuldings..none
of which had a carpet! As far as I know ... the kitty lived happily ever
after...and so did we. we had cats before but this apparent deviant
personality trait has permanently soured me on them.....it sounds like
you have about exhausted the topic...find it a country home..good luck.
Ed
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| 144.10 | | SMILEY::EPPES | | Wed Sep 18 1985 20:29 | 16 |
| RE .9 -- Sigh. This is not encouraging. Though there's some small amount
of comfort in knowing someone else has been through the same thing.
How did you find this country home? Advertising? Personal friend? What
did you say about the reason for wanting to find another home for the cat?
I assume the basis of your suggestion is to find a home where he can go
outside. My problem is that he is declawed (front only), and I am reluctant
to subject him to the outdoor life (though I am sure he would love it).
I know people who let their declawed cats roam outside, and there haven't
been any problems. I used to let my other cat (also declawed in front) outside
(under supervision) when I lived in a first-floor apartment in a house in a
relatively rural area, and she once climbed a tree. Still, I am a little
nervous about consigning Jasper to an outdoor life. Though that's better than
no life at all!
-- Nina
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| 144.11 | | SMILEY::EPPES | | Wed Sep 18 1985 20:37 | 16 |
| RE .9 -- P.S. Don't let your experience sour you on all cats. This
type of situation is not common. I have had cats all my life and this
is the first (and I hope *only*) time I have had this problem. Even so,
Jasper is so damn cute that it is hard to stay angry with him. My spouse-
equivalent, who is ready to heave Jasper over the balcony, still plays
with him and pets him. And Jim has no problem with Chayna, who, thank
heaven, has not been inspired by Jasper's behavior to try it herself.
(She really is the perfect cat -- affectionate, playful, graceful, and she
always uses the litterbox no matter what condition it's in and no matter
what any other cat in the house might be doing!)
Anyway, my point is: don't let one rotten apple spoil the entire barrel!
How original... :-)
-- Nina
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| 144.12 | | RAVEN1::HEFFELFINGER | | Thu Sep 19 1985 16:56 | 61 |
| Another interesting remedy, though I doubt it would work for most people...
A little background to the situation first...
I got 3 kitten within a month. Around 2 months later, my boyfriend found
the perfect cat for him. Bad timing, he was living in an apartment that didn't
allow pets. I took him in. We're now at 4 indoor cats in a 2 bedroom, 2-story
apartment. Then Cinnamon was dumped at my complex... It took us a while to
admit that we were not gonna find a home for him. We got him neutered and
while he had to stay in to recover, we made him an indoor cat. (He had been
an outdoor cat for at least 5 months.) He amde the transition beuatifully.
Six months later both Gary and I moved. I took my three and Gary took Gandalf
and Cinnamon. Six months after that Gary and I got engaged and we moved the
cats back to together again (in my house) to get them used to one another
again. Uh-oh! Even though he had 4 or 5 times as much room as he had in
Gary's apartment, Cinnamon couldn't handle being one of 5 cats anymore. He
started showing his displeasure on the living room/front hall rug. We tried
everything, vinegar to get rid of the smell, new litter, more litter boxes,
steam cleaned the carpets.... Not only did he continue but the others decided,
"hey this smells like cat pee, I think I'll go here!" Due to this and other
nervous reactions he was having (Like pulling out his own hair and having a
bald butt) we bit the bullet and let him go outside. (small soapbox here:
We are not happy about letting him outside. in the 6 or 7 months he's been
outside he has gotten numerous scratches, we can't get completely rid of the
fleas to which he is sensitive, and he has gotten 2 abcesses. WE are currently
treating him for an injury that the vet believes he may have gotten from being
hit by a car. And we're talking about a cat that has all it's claws, *never*
goes in the road and stays in the carport on top of my car for most of the time
he is outside.) Anyway... He stopped going on the carpet but the others kept
it up for a while. What stopped them? We're not really sure, but I do know
when they stopped ie. when we got the kitten 3 months ago. I guess there was
some ambiguity about who was dominant, Gandalf or Pippin (the most frequent
offenders). Nazzie came in and set them straight in a matter of days. He's
the boss and they all know it. (Pretty amazing since all our cats are large,
especially Merry who is 17+ lbs. and Nazzie was about 4 1/2 weeks old and about
as big as Merry's head when he first showed up.)
So there it is. Our miracle solution. I wouldn't recommend it to everyone,
since the addition of a new cat is usually what gets them started on the
"accidents" in the first place. However, it is a ray of hope. Someday,
somthing might stop Jasper's nasty habit even without you trying. It does
happen.
Another note: If you try a new litter, give each brand a little while of
testing before going on to the new brand. Constant changing of the litter
won't help anymore than a type that he doesn't like. Also try a different
placement of the boxes. Our cats have one spot that they definately prefer
for the boxes. SO we have 3 boxes there. We have one in the back of the house
in case the door blows shut and they get stuck back there, but that doesn't
see nearly as much use as the other ones. They only use it when they have to.
Also if there is a special spot that he pees on, put his food or water bowl
on top of that spot for a while. (We also had aproblem for a while of the cats
protesting the state of the box by peeing right next to it. We put the water
bowl on top of that spot and that put an end to that!)
Hang in there!
tlh, one who went through months of it, but now has a nice smelling house at
last!
|
| 144.13 | | XENON::EPPES | | Thu Sep 19 1985 20:52 | 13 |
| Thanks for the encouraging words, Tracey! Moving the food and water
dishes is an idea I think I'll try. The vet also suggested moving the
litterbox to the "affected" areas, but I'm not crazy about having it
in the living room. And I'm afraid that if I move it there and he uses
it and I try to move it back to the bathroom (where it currently is), he'll
just start using the carpet again. We did have a box in the second bedroom
(which we use for an office) for a while, and he used it, but he also used
the carpet in there and still used the carpet in the living room.
Getting a kitten is certainly an interesting approach. I don't think Jim
would go for it, though...!
-- Nina
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| 144.14 | | DRAGON::SPERT | | Fri Sep 20 1985 14:24 | 6 |
| Cat Fancy had an article on this. Try putting down a second litter box
filled with shredded paper. If that doesn't work try a box with nothing
in it. This worked for some of their readers. Apparently some cats
just don't like litter.
John
|
| 144.15 | | SYBIL::EPPES | | Fri Sep 20 1985 16:48 | 4 |
| RE .14 -- Thanks. Do you know what issue of Cat Fancy that article was
in? Maybe I can find it at the library...
-- Nina
|
| 144.16 | | SHOGUN::HEFFEL | | Mon Sep 23 1985 01:07 | 8 |
| I'll try to go through my collection of back issues and clipped out
articles and see what I can fins. I'll either type in what I find or Xerox
*gasp* and send it to you.
(no promises on getting out tonight or tomorrow though. It's a large
collection!)
tlh
|
| 144.17 | | GRAFIX::EPPES | | Mon Sep 23 1985 20:21 | 18 |
| RE .16 -- Thanks, Tracey. I'd appreciate whatever you can do. If you want
to send me Xeroxes via interoffice mail, my mailstop is ZKO2-3/R56.
I've tried putting the food and water in the places that Jasper seems fond
of using, and that has helped. (It's rather awkward placing and retrieving
the dishes from under the piano, though!) I only leave the dishes there
when we're not home and when we go to bed. I tried leaving them in the
kitchen overnight last night, just to see what would happen, and sure enough,
there was a little, uh, pile in one of the corners this morning. Sigh. So I
guess the dishes stay out for a while.
I'm also trying 2 litterboxes that contain different kinds of kitty litter.
So far, he seems to prefer the current brand of litter to shredded newspaper.
I'm going to try a different kind of litter in the second box soon.
I'm feeling a little more hopeful. Thanks, everyone!
-- Nina
|
| 144.18 | | NAVAJO::SECURITY | | Sun Sep 29 1985 16:11 | 5 |
| Poor Jaspar! I certainly hope everything works out well for all of you.
A friend of mine had the same problem...it turnes out her cat didn't like
getting the litter bits caught between the pads of his paws. Shredded
newspaper and baking soda worked extremely well for her. Good Luck!!
-jb-
|
| 144.19 | | AVANTI::OSMAN | and silos to fill before I feep, and silos to fill before I feep | Tue Sep 09 1986 15:07 | 3 |
| It's been awhile now. Any more poop on this scoop ?
/E
|
| 144.20 | The scoop on the poop | DSSDEV::EPPES | O Freuden-Tag! O Halloo-Schlag! | Mon Sep 22 1986 22:15 | 29 |
| RE < Note 144.19 by AVANTI::OSMAN>
> It's been awhile now. Any more poop on this scoop ?
Well, I'll tell you. The problem hasn't entirely gone away, but it's not
as bad as it used to be. Jasper seems to go through phases. The last one
more or less ended when we went on vacation for 3 weeks in June and he
stayed at my mother's. He behaved himself there, and has been pretty good
(though not, alas, 100% good) since we got back. I discovered some carpet
cleaner and deodorizer at Brookstone that works quite well, so I've been
going around cleaning up any old spots that I notice (rather difficult, as
our carpet is dark brown). That, plus keeping the litter box very clean,
seems to have helped. Oh, and it occurs to me that the problem has abated
since I've been feeding the kitties dry food exclusively (IAMS). I don't
know why canned food would make a difference; maybe it caused him to pee
more often, because of containing more moisture, etc. (Side note: the IAMS
has worked wonders with Jasper's weight and coat: in the spring, he suddenly
got very skinny and his fur got quite thin for no apparent reason; he was
active, still eating quite a lot, etc. I took him to the vet [Roger Goun's
wife, Jody Kaufman] and she did every imaginable test, all of which came
out negative. She recommended the IAMS, and since I've been feeding him
that, he's filled back out and his fur has gotten thick again and really
soft. Amazing.)
He does still use the rug sometimes if someone is in the bathroom and
he can't get to the litter box. On these occasions, I'm a little more
forgiving. After all, when ya gotta go, ya gotta go!
-- Nina
|