[OT] Anyone good with cats?

[Mercule]

Hopefully someone can at least point me toward a website/referrence book.

Here's the deal. I've got two cats, ages 10 and 8, whom I've pretty much had since weening. Lately, (the last 3-4 months) the younger one has been taken by the notion that the bathmats (and a couple of other places, like the corner of my office) make a good substitute for his litterbox. This is, needless to say, not a good social skill on his part.

In all fairness, it did start during my wife's late pregnancy or just after our #2 daughter was born. I was working something like 80 hrs a week (with a couple of full weeks spent out of town) at that point, too, so the box wasn't getting cleaned regularly. But for the last month and a half, at least, it's been getting cleaned as often as, if not more than, it had before. Still, the guy leaves us many presents. Sometimes, he even does it right after his box is cleaned.

If this continues, we're going to have to get rid of him. I really don't want to do that, but I will if it means no more watching for turds as I get out of the shower. I've had cats all my life and never had this problem. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to retrain him to use his box?

 

[Belen]

Take the cat outside. That seems to help sometimes, although just be careful to stay out with them.

Dave

 

[F5]

Is it just solids, or is he gifting you with liquids, too? Male cats (especially cats that haven't been neutered) will pee on everything and anything if they're stressed about their territory. A new baby, and a change to the routine would definitely cause that. But it sounds like it's just poops. Do they look regular, or are they soft at all? You should talk to your vet anyway, but especially if they;re soft...it could be some kind of bowel infection. My cat started doing the same thing, and a regular dosing of antibiotics later, he was fine.

My other thought is: where is the litter box now? Is it in a high-traffic kind of area, or could you move it somewhere quiter? It's possible he just doesn't want to go where the litter box is.

But you should defintiely talk to your vet. They know your cat's history better than any of us, and they'll have some professional advice.

Good luck.

 

[Kahuna Burger]

If this continues, we're going to have to get rid of him. I really don't want to do that, but I will if it means no more watching for turds as I get out of the shower. I've had cats all my life and never had this problem. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to retrain him to use his box?

step one, clean up everywhere he goes with an enzematic cleaner (natures miracle, etc) never anything amonia based. Make sure there are at least two litter boxes and that they are well out of high traffic areas. (if there is a pattern to where he likes to go, consider a litter box in that area, say beside the toilet if the bathroom is a prime target.) If you've switched to a new litter, have at least one box have the old one again.

Step two, talk to your vet. Your cats are into the "geriatric" range, and a thyroid or other condition can lead to behavioural issues. The problem could be very easy to treat.

try moving the turds to the litter box. little hint never hurts.

Don't make a big deal out of it or try to discipline him if you catch him in the act. Negitive attention is still attention and he may be craving it with a new baby.

Don't give up too quickly.

Kahuna burger

 

[mhensley]

It sounds like your kitty maybe feeling neglected. If he is not getting the attention that he used to get, these things can happen.

 

[Djeta Thernadier]

I truly hope this does not come off as preachy because it is not intended to. And also, I am not an animal rights activist.

With an older cat, it could be territorial behavior, esp if the owners , for whatever reason chose not to have the cat neutered.I am assuming since you are not breeding this cat, that you had him fixed. Thus my first inclination would be to say PLEASE take him to the vet.

A sudden change in excretory (is that a word) behavior in an older cat can be an early sign of illness. The sooner you have him looked at the better. Take him in for a check up (should not cost more than $35) as soon as you can and tell the vets. He may be doing this to get your attention to tell you he's ill or he might simply not be able to control himself.

As a side...PLEASE also remember that when you took this cat in as a kitten, you made a promise to him for life. No matter what. An older cat will not be adopted out of a shelter and will likely be put down within a month. I've worked with animals and done shelter work all my life and it's heartbreaking the amount of people who dump their pets because they can't deal with the behavioral problems that come with old age, or because of the birth of a child. What sort of example is it to set to a child that when a member of the family (the cat...) is not behaving well, he just gets thrown away? Children do pick up on these things.

Please think about this before giving the cat up. If you do decide to give him up, please contact me via email and I will see if I can find a no-kill shelter in your area for you. Chances are, they are all full to capacity, but I'll try.

 

[robaustin]

Also - try taking him to the litterbox at least twice a day. This will give him the idea that he needs to use it, and if he does, he'll be "empty" and not able to leave you presents.

--*Rob

 

[astralpwka]

Sounds like your kitty is probably jealous. Cats will often pee where they shouldn't if they feel they need to get your attention, or if you've made them angry (like kicking him out of the way once) and they feel like they rule the house.

I think the problem might go away if you give your cat some quality time.

...After that you might consider an illness.

If worst comes to worst, I hear there's a pet psychic on the animal channel.

 

[andargor]

I recently lost my 13 year old cat because I didn't detect the signs of diabetes quickly enough (rest in peace in cat Valhalla!)

If you see it drinking water a lot more than before, it's a sure sign of impending diabetes. Since it drinks more, it pees more. Take it to the vet, a quick-and-dirty test of its blood sugar levels should determine if it is so.

Good luck, and take care of your familiars!

Andargor

 

[Umbran]

I think the problem might go away if you give your cat some quality time.

...After that you might consider an illness.

Actually, you do this the other way around. The described behavior can either be a behavioral problem, or a health problem. If it is a health problem, it could be very serious, and typically serious means costly.

You can take your cat to the vet, spend a few dollars and find nothing is physically wrong, yes. But then you'll be able to sit down with a professional and discuss the behavior problem. Or, you can try to treat the behavior problem based upon inexpert advice, and have it fail, or find out that your cat was sick and now needs many hundreds to thousands of dollars of surgery or treatment.

Which would you rather do?

If it is a behavioral problem, you are going to have to be patient. Very, very patient. There are few behavior problems that cannot be fixed, but you are going to have to be disciplined about it, and it can take a while.