Posted on 06/16/2009 11:47:05 AM PDT by Huntress
This what several vets have basically told me over the years.
Then again he/she could just be being spiteful :)
I know that's what a lot of people think, including replies on this thread. But, really, cats aren't that smart (and I say that as a cat lover, with 3 cats)
I was thinking the same thing as I read through the thread.
My daughter's cat started peeing everywhere. Being diabetic myself, I started becoming suspicious of his behavior and demeanor, and suggested the diabetes possibility. She took him to the vet finally, and sure enough, it was diabetes. He gets insulin now (and a better diet), and is much better...
We scoop litter and puke into old grocery bags, and I line them with such a picture.
Good point. I hadn’t considered that.
And if they further misidentified it as a Pit-Bull they’d probably taser it, club it and THEN shoot it.
We had a cat when I was in high school, that wouldn’t go anywhere but the litter box. The cat used to walk with me as far as the road and go back home. Then, when he needed to use the litter box, he would go and cry at my neighbor’s door until she let him in our house.
The solution costs a few cents more these days due to demand, but you can find it if you ask around.
It comes in a box marked .22 caliber. You can pick up 500 doses for about $15.00. If you place the first dose correctly, you’ve can save the others for other cats.
Did I mention I like dogs? I like dogs.
I’m assuming your vet has ruled out urinary tract infection, stones, or any other physical cause, and that the box was either uncovered to start with or you’ve removed the cover and that hasn’t changed anything,
Since this is an upper-middle-aged cat and the problem is relatively new, make sure the cat isn’t having any difficulty getting into the box. Try cutting a cardboard box to the exact same height as the litter box, and put Norman’s favorite food or treat inside. If he doesn’t go in to get it, or hesitates and then seems to have even a little difficulty getting in, the box height is likely the problem. For a couple of my elderly cats who were obviously having this problem, I cut down a section of the litterbox wall, to just barely above the height of the litter, and this worked. Since pooping is less frequent and rarely as urgent as peeing, some cats will continue to use a difficult-to-enter litterbox for pooping, while regularly peeing elsewhere.
If that isn’t the problem, move on to anti-depressant/anti-anxiety meds. Amitriptyline often does the trick.
If THAT doesn’t work, and he’s pretty consistent about where he goes, give in and accept that that’s where he wants to go. Get a couple of little washable rugs made of synthetic fiber and withOUT a waterproof/water-resistant backing, put them in The Spot, and keep “wee-wee pads” (any pet supply store will have them) underneath (need 2 rugs, so one can be in use while the other is being washed). Urine will go through the rug and be absorbed into the wee-wee pad, which can be changed as often as needed. You can use a urine odor-neutralizer spray on the rugs.
I take it Norman is a Male, is he fixed? If so was he full grown when the deed was done? Males should be neutered when they the urethra is fully developed but before they have reached sexual maturity and started "spraying". If done too early and the urethra is undersized he will be prone to developing feline cystitis which is definitely not a good thing. If he hasn't been neutered or if if was done after he matured he may be "marking his territory" which is a hard habit to break. If he has "special" spots where he pees that probably the problem.You might ask your vet for advice on some of the "keep off the couch" sprays as they may persuade him to stop peeing on the same spot. If it's not too much of a gross out you could try moving his litter box to his preferred spot to see if he takes the hint.
Good luck,
GtG
I agree that a trip to your good, trusted vet would be the first step.
The only thing I can think of that hasn’t been really hammered is getting the scent out of the carpet or removing the carpet and really soaking the floor underneath with enzymes to totally kill the odor. But that would be after Norman stops marking there.
You might try sopping up his urine and putting the soaked paper towel and Norman in the box. That worked instantly for me with kittens a few times, but not sure about an adult.
Good luck with this, Huntress. I hope that Norman is all right.
According to your homepage you have recently relocated. Cats, especially older cats, do not like change.
Second there could have been another cat in the home before you moved in. The old resident may have “marked” that territory. Worth a try...move the litter box to the bedroom? If Norma uses it...great. If not but is a habitual spot...it may be marked with somebody elses stuff. You can slowly move the box out of the bedroom overtime. Let them use it for a month and then slowly move the box a foot at a time until it is in the desired location. (Note: Won't work if someone else soiled the area)
Talk to your vet. A big one is if Norma is overweight...check for diabetes. Dirty or flooded boxes will prompt such behavior.
Clean the carpet and replace the section of the pad that is soiled. A simple vinegar and water rinse of the carpet after cleaning should remove most of the scent. Another option is a product called Fresh Wave. http://www.fresh-wave.com/cart.cfm?cart_action=item_info&item_guid=07ed1ef8-65bf-d230-45f5-492d842fac2b&category_guid=aaca646e-65bf-d230-40b1-26cd73ee2ea0 to remove the urine/marking scent.
Hope this advice helps!
The last cat we had would not go in the box unless it had five inches of litter, and had been cleaned out completely.
Persnickety little bastard.
Goodbye Mr. Norman.
My kitten kept using a magazine basket to pee in so I removed the basket and he kept going to the spot where the basket was, so I put his litter pan where the basket used to sit. Worked like a charm. When he went back to his favorite spot, the litter pan was there so he used it. Some long haired cats don’t like using litter because it clings to their wet fur and some declawed cats don’t like it because their feet are tender or the litter feels funny to their paws.
Cute.
Why do you cat haters read cat threads and make dumb comments when someone is seriously asking for advice?
I work in Branson. Good choice by your son. Big Cedar Lodge is a very nice venue, and easy to get to from the new Branson Airport.
Thanks for looking this up, OL. And Huntress, if you do try this, please be sure to get the unscented type.
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