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Conference misery::feline_v1

Title:Meower Power is Valuing Differences
Notice:FELINE_V1 is moving 1/11/94 5pm PST to MISERY
Moderator:MISERY::VANZUYLEN_RO
Created:Sun Feb 09 1986
Last Modified:Tue Jan 11 1994
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:5089
Total number of notes:60366

3411.0. ""Gifted" Cat" by LEAF::GRACE (Wait, I'm LIVING in Grace-land!) Mon Mar 12 1990 16:07

    I have an occassional problem with Bonkers, my 2-1/2 yr. old (neut.)
    male. It seems that about once or twice per month (if we're that unlucky)
    he'll have an "accident" and not use his litter box. The litter box
    is in the basement and has not been moved at all. He'll leave this
    "gift" on a rug in the finished part of the basement (not a big
    problem, 'cause it cleans up easily with an enzyme remover), and walk 
    around like he's no idea why I'm bringing the issue up to him in the
    first place. 
    
    Being a fair person, I assumed that he had something wrong with his 
    stomach. Maybe, that IS what's wrong? Anyone familiar with cat behavior
    have any thoughts? I've been read-only for about a year, so I've read
    most of the comments about NOT changing his diet, NOT changing his
    litter box location, etc. Oh yeay, he's an indoor cat with no history
    of digestive problems or health oddities of aNY SORT. 
    
    The ONLY change that might be upsetting him is that we got rid of some 
    old furniture, and brought in some new furniture. Yes, he's skittish as 
    hell, especially when there are changes to the house's environment. He
    doesn't go into hiding or anything--just runs around like the BANSHEE'S
    ARE AFTER HIM. He's not tto fond of change, but he's delivered gifts
    down stairs when we went away for 2 days and had people taking care of
    him. 
    
    Mostly, I'm just curious. Any thoughts?
    
    Just call me,
    Running-out-of-old-rugs Russ
T.RTitleUserPersonal
Name		DateLines
3411.1Additional infoLEAF::GRACEWait, I'm LIVING in Grace-land!Mon Mar 12 1990 16:093
    BTW, this "gift" is normal looking stool and urine.
    
    Russ
3411.2WR2FOR::CORDESBRO_JOset home/cat_max=infinityMon Mar 12 1990 16:1611
    Russ,
    
    Any chance you could take up the rugs and see what happens?  It
    might be that the first time it was an accident, and then after
    that the smell was drawing him back.  Also, when he does it, stick
    your head in his litter box and see if it is clean.  He might be
    trying to tell you that it is time to change the box.  Some cats
    could care less about the cleanliness of their box, others will
    refuse to use it if it is dirty.  
    
    Jo
3411.3Litter bugWORDY::GRACEWait, I'm LIVING in Grace-land!Tue Mar 13 1990 11:5818
    You want me to stick my head in the litter box? Boy, did I say
    something wrong to make you THAT angry? :^} Seriously, I have done 
    that and sometimes (although more rare) accidents have occured when I
    have been alot better about keeping his box clean. From what I sense,
    he likes the box cleaned at least every other day. I'm now adding more
    baking soda to the litter to absorb the ammonia.
    
    When he soiled the rug, I use the enzyme cleaner and get rid of the
    soiled area smell. He never has chosen the same spot. Incidentally, he
    has even chosen to soil the BARE CEMENT. I've been keeping an eye out
    (not to mention nose) to be sure that the box is scooped daily. We'll
    see if he chooses the "high road" or the "low road" in the future. If
    that isn't the answer, I don't know what is? He's fastiduous and 
    responsive otherwise, and for a cat, pretty obedient.
    
    Thanks,
    Russ, Phyllis, and Bonkers
3411.4CIRCUS::KOLLINGKaren/Sweetie/Holly/Little Bit Ca.Tue Mar 13 1990 16:306
    I have a similar problem with Holly.  She's been checked
    from stem to stern, and I've done all the usual stuff about number
    of litter boxes, placement, types of litter etc., and yet she still 
    occasionally goes some where else.  I just live with it.  When she
    learns to talk, she'll tell me why....
3411.5CRUISE::NDCPutiput Scottish Folds - DTN: 297-2313Wed Mar 14 1990 10:3316
    We are currently having the same trouble with Flame.  It got pretty
    bad this past weekend.  I think its a combination of dirty boxes
    (I was at a cat show and Jack doesn't "do" catboxes) with Bob having
    diarrea from antibiotics and some battles for dominance between
    Flame and Dundee and Flame and Isis.  
      So we cleaned the boxes and I took Flat-face to the vets for a
    checkup and (fingers crossed) so far-so good.  He used the box
    this morning and I praised him for it. 
      I'm not sure what to do about the battles - Flame will lay in
    wait for Isis or Dundee and then attack them from behind.  If I
    catch him I "jail" him for a bit in the bathroom, but there's not
    much I can do from work.
      Oh the joys of kitties.
       ;-)
    
      Nancy DC