Hi there, I'm seeking advice, help, whatever I can for my beloved Djinn.
http://www.catster.com/pet_page.php?i=100984&j=t
I do adore this cat, and I've helped him through alot. Here's his tale as short as I can tell it:
I found Djinn as a kitten, had to give him away when I moved. I saw the cat a year later and he was a massive 35 lbs! He also no longer could fit in the catbox that his owners had for him because it was one of those covered catboxes. Djinn couldn't get his whole body inside or turn around so he stopped using it and instead went right outside of it.
The new owners gave Djinn back to me after another year of putting up with his and his loose stools.
I got Djinn to a vet, got his intestinal tract back in shape, and down to 20 lbs however he still thinks he can't use the catbox. Thankfully we have hardwood floors but we have another dilema:
We've a baby on the way and I simply can't always think that this won't pose a problem when baby starts crawling. I'm only so fast and so observant.
I don't want to try to place Djinn in another home. I doubt many will have such understanding and would have beaten or put him to sleep by now. I do however want to solve this problem before baby comes.
His new catbox is PLENTY big. I bought a clear plastic storage big that is 30"w x 22" d and cut a large scoop out for him to easily step inside. All the other cats adore it, but not Djinn. Still won't even bother trying to walk into it.
I've used many different litters and currently use feline pine. I keep the box clean, accessible and open. Now what?
Please help!
My cat needs to remember to use the catbox or else!
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DonnaRicci
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- Location: Burbank, CA
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slvrwhispr
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Re: My cat needs to remember to use the catbox or else!
How many cats do you have? If there is more than one cat, do you have more than one litterbox?
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DonnaRicci
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- Joined: Sun Jan 01, 2006 9:42 pm
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Re: My cat needs to remember to use the catbox or else!
I have a 2=1 catbox ratio. The problem is not catboxes or cleanliness rather his brain is now trained to think he can't fit inside or that catbox=distress.
Re: My cat needs to remember to use the catbox or else!
Donna, according to Djinn's "diary", you posted as recently as Dec 21 you were looking for a home for him,.....so, are you, or aren't you?
I also see he has 4 other cat siblings, so have you ruled out intimidation by any or all of the other cats? (stalking behavior, agressiveness, intimidation during mealtimes, napping, etc)
One problem, is their access to the outdoors. When cats are allowed outdoors, they are instinctually territorial by nature, and this continues in the home, including the litterbox. Also, cats allowed outdoors will often retain outdoor scents that may cause agressive or other behaviors in any or all of your cats.
Main solution, keep them Indoors Only.
As for the litterbox, place it in a private area, away from heavy foot traffic, and preferrably in a room that Djinn is comfortable in. When changing litters, start by trying plain clay-type litter, deep enough for the cat to bury (or shallow if it is what he prefers), and place a plastic runner in front of the box (so kitty can scrape/shake kitty litter off paws). If clay doesn't entice him to use the box, then try clumping litter, but be sure it is unscented. Don't use heavy cleaners or chemicals to clean the box, use only soap and warm water, once a week, scoop daily. If litter doesn't entice him, then try only paper towels, in the event he doesn't like the texture of litter. (yes it's possible he avoids textured litter). Sometimes the larger hard plastic containers scratch easily and can retain bacteria (and thus, odors), so maybe switch to a soft rubbermaid container, with an entry cut out in the front.
If he's at 20 pounds now, he could still be uncomfortable, including climbing into the litterbox. Has your vet ever completely evaluated him for any signs of arthritis? This is a common affliction in overweight pets, and even though he has lost weight, he could in fact, be slightly arthritic, this is worth discusssing with your vet.
Don't scold him when you find "accidents", the way you handle this will be important, cats sense our body language, tone of voice and even sense our own stresses, so keep your own stress minimized as much as possible. When you catch him eliminating outside of the box, calmly pick him up and physcially (gently) place him in the litterbox and talk to him softly.....reward him with a special playtime activity when he DOES use the litterbox. You have to be diligent and patient, calm and forgiving, and if it takes the same attempts every day for awhile to encourage him to use his box, then do so, it will pay off soon enough.
Again, discuss the possibility of arthritis with your vet, you want to rule that out for one potential cause of litterbox avoidance.
Hopefully, with commitment, you will resolve this, but don't give up on your kitty, he's depending on you to help him through this. He's has a tough time, and with the baby approaching, you don't want him suffering additional stress that comes with a new human addition.
I also see he has 4 other cat siblings, so have you ruled out intimidation by any or all of the other cats? (stalking behavior, agressiveness, intimidation during mealtimes, napping, etc)
One problem, is their access to the outdoors. When cats are allowed outdoors, they are instinctually territorial by nature, and this continues in the home, including the litterbox. Also, cats allowed outdoors will often retain outdoor scents that may cause agressive or other behaviors in any or all of your cats.
Main solution, keep them Indoors Only.
As for the litterbox, place it in a private area, away from heavy foot traffic, and preferrably in a room that Djinn is comfortable in. When changing litters, start by trying plain clay-type litter, deep enough for the cat to bury (or shallow if it is what he prefers), and place a plastic runner in front of the box (so kitty can scrape/shake kitty litter off paws). If clay doesn't entice him to use the box, then try clumping litter, but be sure it is unscented. Don't use heavy cleaners or chemicals to clean the box, use only soap and warm water, once a week, scoop daily. If litter doesn't entice him, then try only paper towels, in the event he doesn't like the texture of litter. (yes it's possible he avoids textured litter). Sometimes the larger hard plastic containers scratch easily and can retain bacteria (and thus, odors), so maybe switch to a soft rubbermaid container, with an entry cut out in the front.
If he's at 20 pounds now, he could still be uncomfortable, including climbing into the litterbox. Has your vet ever completely evaluated him for any signs of arthritis? This is a common affliction in overweight pets, and even though he has lost weight, he could in fact, be slightly arthritic, this is worth discusssing with your vet.
Don't scold him when you find "accidents", the way you handle this will be important, cats sense our body language, tone of voice and even sense our own stresses, so keep your own stress minimized as much as possible. When you catch him eliminating outside of the box, calmly pick him up and physcially (gently) place him in the litterbox and talk to him softly.....reward him with a special playtime activity when he DOES use the litterbox. You have to be diligent and patient, calm and forgiving, and if it takes the same attempts every day for awhile to encourage him to use his box, then do so, it will pay off soon enough.
Again, discuss the possibility of arthritis with your vet, you want to rule that out for one potential cause of litterbox avoidance.
Hopefully, with commitment, you will resolve this, but don't give up on your kitty, he's depending on you to help him through this. He's has a tough time, and with the baby approaching, you don't want him suffering additional stress that comes with a new human addition.
..........Traci
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DonnaRicci
- Posts: 5
- Joined: Sun Jan 01, 2006 9:42 pm
- Location: Burbank, CA
- Contact:
Re: My cat needs to remember to use the catbox or else!
I did put his profile up for adoption, being at wit's end. It's really frustrating to keep taking him to the vet, only for them to tell me it's an anxiety or mental issue, and spend monies to get bigger better boxes only to have him defecate on the hardwood floor, ruining it too and using any gowns I have that are long enough in my closet as a spot to pee on.
He's not spraying, he's been fixed since kittenhood and squats to pee. He gets along well with the other cats, cleaning each other and sleeping together. Our house isn't noisy or stressful as far as I can tell.
He has indeed been checked for arthritis and other joint problems after he came inside limping one day. Had him xrayed and the whole nine yards. Apparently jumping over a 7foot fence is tough for a 20 lb cat.
I am a believer in keeping cats indoors, except in this case because he couldn't jump over the fence until recently. We've a nice private garden that the cats love to sun themselves in. However now there is the problem of his catbox issue getting so bad, that my husband puts him outside, and at times refuses to let him in. We love cats, but again, frustration is really kicking in.
I did get him a huge rubbermaid type container and cut a smooth large scoop out of the front so everyone can easily step in. I do however use pine pellets and that may not feel so good on the feet. I'll try the scooping stuff and hope for the best. It is in a spot as out of the way as it can be. We took the door off of our linen closet and the entire bottom of the closet is the modified storage bin without lid. It's 30" x 22" and at the end of our hallway. We don't have additional rooms in our home. We have a very small house. Our bedroom, the child's room, a VERY small bathroom, a livingroom/diningroom/ kitchen and the hallway. So the only rooms with doors are the bath, child's room and bedroom and my husband won't allow the catbox in the bedrooms. We have an additional box in the bathroom, but it is a smaller, covered box that he can't fit inside.
As for picking him up, I'm afraid I'm not actually allowed to anymore. I'm far enough in my pregnancy that I'm forbidden. Imagine having a cat you're not allowed to pick up. Sheesh!
Thank you for the encouragement, I'll try another litter and hope that and quiet encouragement work. He's inside right now, as it's raining here in Southern California.
He's not spraying, he's been fixed since kittenhood and squats to pee. He gets along well with the other cats, cleaning each other and sleeping together. Our house isn't noisy or stressful as far as I can tell.
He has indeed been checked for arthritis and other joint problems after he came inside limping one day. Had him xrayed and the whole nine yards. Apparently jumping over a 7foot fence is tough for a 20 lb cat.
I am a believer in keeping cats indoors, except in this case because he couldn't jump over the fence until recently. We've a nice private garden that the cats love to sun themselves in. However now there is the problem of his catbox issue getting so bad, that my husband puts him outside, and at times refuses to let him in. We love cats, but again, frustration is really kicking in.
I did get him a huge rubbermaid type container and cut a smooth large scoop out of the front so everyone can easily step in. I do however use pine pellets and that may not feel so good on the feet. I'll try the scooping stuff and hope for the best. It is in a spot as out of the way as it can be. We took the door off of our linen closet and the entire bottom of the closet is the modified storage bin without lid. It's 30" x 22" and at the end of our hallway. We don't have additional rooms in our home. We have a very small house. Our bedroom, the child's room, a VERY small bathroom, a livingroom/diningroom/ kitchen and the hallway. So the only rooms with doors are the bath, child's room and bedroom and my husband won't allow the catbox in the bedrooms. We have an additional box in the bathroom, but it is a smaller, covered box that he can't fit inside.
As for picking him up, I'm afraid I'm not actually allowed to anymore. I'm far enough in my pregnancy that I'm forbidden. Imagine having a cat you're not allowed to pick up. Sheesh!
Thank you for the encouragement, I'll try another litter and hope that and quiet encouragement work. He's inside right now, as it's raining here in Southern California.
Re: My cat needs to remember to use the catbox or else!
If I could, I'd like to expand on the outdoor issue.
If your husband is outright showing his frustrations, this isn't helping your kitty. When hubby puts the cat outside whenever an accident has occured, this is not a resolution, but rather a situation that only stresses your kitty more. Kitty understands that he may have done something wrong, but putting him outside is actually counter-productive and is only worsening the situation. He doesn't understand why he is not allowed back indoors. If kitty is scared, frightened, confused, he may run off never to come back again....I would hope neither your husband or you would contemplate that grief and sorrow.
Outdoor cats have free roam to mark, defecate and urinate in whatever place is suitable to them. They WILL and they DO exercise the same behavior indoors. It's the territorial nature. Not allowing them outdoors will resolve half of the problem. Not to mention the outdoor hazards, which you bore witness to when he disappeared for over a day. The outdoor hazards are just too great for any cat.
Another resolution is getting your husband to be patient and forgiving and not showing frustration by putting kitty outside if he doesn't use the litterbox. Resolution occurs when the behavior is addressed inside the environment in which it occurs. Reducing the stress in all involved is the key, both of you should work together with kitty by using calm approaches, not counter-productive approaches. Your husband needs to learn and understand that your kitty is not a small child, your kitty is a feline and demands respect and forgiveness, while you take steps to address the issue calmly and rationally.
You know what they say...think like a cat. You've already determined why he is eliminating outside of the box: He's had one or more years overweight and could not physically manipulate getting into a litterbox, or was severely uncomfortable and limited in doing so. Now you have to work on the how to resolve the litterbox issue now that he is at a comfortable weight. Patience and commitment are the key, but working on a daily basis with type of litterbox, type of litter, placement of the box, and of course, reducing all stresses and perhaps changing hubby's behavior will all make a difference in due time.
Another suggestion, it will take time and a few creative ideas, but worth trying: Create a "smorgasboard" of litterboxes. Try 3 or 4 at first. One box with paper towels...a few inches away from it, another box with clay litter....a few inches away from that, another box with clumping litter. Place your cat near the boxes and see which he prefers. Leave the boxes in place for at least two days until you can determine kitty's preference, then gradually eliminate the two he doesn't prefer. This will take patience on your part, but worth it to see what kitty does, which box he prefers, and quite possibly, the start of a resolution. (just make sure the boxes are big enough for him, even Petsmart's biggest litterboxes would be appropriate for testing, fairly reasonable in price...you can even clean them and use them for other uses in the home, like storage)
If your husband is outright showing his frustrations, this isn't helping your kitty. When hubby puts the cat outside whenever an accident has occured, this is not a resolution, but rather a situation that only stresses your kitty more. Kitty understands that he may have done something wrong, but putting him outside is actually counter-productive and is only worsening the situation. He doesn't understand why he is not allowed back indoors. If kitty is scared, frightened, confused, he may run off never to come back again....I would hope neither your husband or you would contemplate that grief and sorrow.
Outdoor cats have free roam to mark, defecate and urinate in whatever place is suitable to them. They WILL and they DO exercise the same behavior indoors. It's the territorial nature. Not allowing them outdoors will resolve half of the problem. Not to mention the outdoor hazards, which you bore witness to when he disappeared for over a day. The outdoor hazards are just too great for any cat.
Another resolution is getting your husband to be patient and forgiving and not showing frustration by putting kitty outside if he doesn't use the litterbox. Resolution occurs when the behavior is addressed inside the environment in which it occurs. Reducing the stress in all involved is the key, both of you should work together with kitty by using calm approaches, not counter-productive approaches. Your husband needs to learn and understand that your kitty is not a small child, your kitty is a feline and demands respect and forgiveness, while you take steps to address the issue calmly and rationally.
You know what they say...think like a cat. You've already determined why he is eliminating outside of the box: He's had one or more years overweight and could not physically manipulate getting into a litterbox, or was severely uncomfortable and limited in doing so. Now you have to work on the how to resolve the litterbox issue now that he is at a comfortable weight. Patience and commitment are the key, but working on a daily basis with type of litterbox, type of litter, placement of the box, and of course, reducing all stresses and perhaps changing hubby's behavior will all make a difference in due time.
Another suggestion, it will take time and a few creative ideas, but worth trying: Create a "smorgasboard" of litterboxes. Try 3 or 4 at first. One box with paper towels...a few inches away from it, another box with clay litter....a few inches away from that, another box with clumping litter. Place your cat near the boxes and see which he prefers. Leave the boxes in place for at least two days until you can determine kitty's preference, then gradually eliminate the two he doesn't prefer. This will take patience on your part, but worth it to see what kitty does, which box he prefers, and quite possibly, the start of a resolution. (just make sure the boxes are big enough for him, even Petsmart's biggest litterboxes would be appropriate for testing, fairly reasonable in price...you can even clean them and use them for other uses in the home, like storage)
..........Traci