Conference misery::feline_v1

    Sue --
    
    A total shot in the dark.  Have you read note 2758.0 about propylene
    glycol in the catfood?  It could be affecting Nermal more than Ginger.
    
    						-- Ed

    Sue,
    
    A vasectomy is not the same as neutering.  When a cat is vasectomized,
    he still retains his testicles, and his ability to breed.  He just
    cannot impregnate a female.  In a neutering, the testicles are removed.
    If the cat really is vasectomized, then I suggest taking him in
    for a real neuter.  
    
    The reason that your cat was vasectomized instead of neutered isn't
    clear to me.  It is not done routinely.  I know of several fellow
    breeders who elected to vasectomize a cat rather than neuter it
    so that it could still breed females, and bring them out of season.
    The females wouldn't get pregnant, but the act of breeding would
    bring them out of season.  
    
    A vasectomized male is no different than a tom cat, other than the
    fact that he cannot impregnate females.  He will still exhibit tom
    cat behavior, i.e. spraying, aggressiveness, dominance with other
    cats, etc.  It may seem to you that your cat is not marking territory
    cause you don't see a pattern to it, but often their is no pattern.
    Just the fact that he is going in places other than the litter box
    tells me that he *is* marking territory.  
    
    It is no wonder that you are mad at him, I would be too.  But, it
    is important to understand that what he is doing is instinctual,
    and probably not as much behavioral as you might think.  A tom cat
    is governed by his hormones.  Your cat is doing what comes natural
    to him.  The only way to get him to stop is to neuter him.  No amount
    of yelling and scolding will get him to stop.  
    
    As far as what to do about the odor, buy an enzyme product like
    Nature's Miracle or Outright.  The enzymes eat up the bacteria in
    the urine, and take away the smell.  Remember though, that while
    the enzyme is working, the spot will smell worse than normal.  After
    it is completely dry, you shouldn't smell the urine anymore.
    
    Do consult with your vet about neutering your male before you start
    looking for other options.  It might save both you and the cat alot
    of heartache.
    
    Jo

    There are notes in this file about scratching posts also, and
    suggestions for dealing with the problem of scratching furniture.  Cats
    vary in their use of scratching posts.  Some of mine have just needed
    one in the whole house, others one in every room.
    
    I also suspect that your aggravation and understandable upset about all
    this is upsetting the cats and may be contributing to the problem.
    I never met a cat who wouldn't become affectionate, given enough
    patience on the owner's part.
    

    Don't give up on those cats!!!  Best thing you can do for them is
    give them their own separate space.  Leaving them in the porch is
    a good idea.  Feed them there.  Give them a big meal of favorite
    treats.  Stop sleeping with them and I guarantee you, they will
    change their behavior.  They will miss your company so much they
    will stop "pissing" you off, and start acting like a young lady,
    or gentlemen.  The reason they are not giving you attention is that
    they are distracted by something.  Eliminate their distraction,
    focus on specific surroundings and rewards, and they will become
    your best friends.
    
    

    In the past our male siamese Ricky has sprayed when he's had a urinary
    tract infection.  He's done it right in front of us, almost as if he
    wants us to know.  We got a urine sample, and the analysis showed urine
    crystals.  After a couple of weeks of medication, the problem resolved,
    but he's at it again, so I think he needs longer treatment.  He has
    had this problem quite a few times in his four years.  Anyway, I
    suggest you make an appointment at the vet and bring a urine sample.
    The way we got ours was to put saran wrap over the cat box, and leave
    Ricky alone in the basement for the night, separated from our other
    cats.  Luckily, he went in the cat box as well as the other spots and we
    were able to get a sample.  If you have an eyedropper, you can remove
    the urine from the top of the saran and squirt it into a bottle - they
    don't need a lot.  If it is a URI, you'll probable have to change their
    diet - magnesium is the culprit, you'll be advised.  I hope your
    problem is medical and not behavioral - Good Luck!!!
    
    

    re: .5 - Many vets have suggested Hills CD because it contains
    an acidifier and helps prevent UTI's.  You can only get it 
    from a vet.  I'd ask yours about it.