Two weeks ago we adopted LuckyGinger at 6 weeks old. Ginger used the litter box no problem, we thought. After having Ginger 5 days, we found a pee in a cardboard packing box and chalked it up to a mistake on Ginger's behalf because that was the only incident -we thought! Two days ago, we found that he'd peed in the dining room corner, a distance from the first mistake. Cleaned it up, but it happened TWICE more in the same spot that same day! I cleaned it with disinfectant and we put orange peels down in the area - because we know kitties don't like those. So far, no mistakes and it's been two days.
What gets me is WHY!? The litter is cleaned after nearly every use - so it's far from dirty! Why would Ginger choose not to use the litter three times in a row?
Why would kitten pee there?
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LuckyGinger
- Posts: 9
- Joined: Sat May 20, 2006 12:45 am
- Location: Ontario, Canada
Re: Why would kitten pee there?
Get him to your vet immediately for a thorough exam and complete urinalysis, you need to rule out the possibility of a urinary tract infection.
Don't put orange peels around for him to get to, they are toxic to cats.
Use only enzymatic cleaners, like Petastic (formerly Nature's Miracle), since they will break down the enzymes and leave the area cleaned. Don't use other heavy cleaners or disinfectants, these will only mask the odor temporarily and your kitten will mark in the area again.
He's only 8 weeks old, you've only had him for two weeks. Ideally, kittens should not be removed from their mother and siblings until they are at least 12 weeks of age, so that they can develop properly and develop skills normally learned from the mother and siblings, including socialization.
I suspect he is enduring a fair amount of stress, so you need to take steps to reduce stress for him at all times. Are you spending quality time with him? Is he on a high quality kitten food? Does he have toys to play with and do you actively engage in his playtime and activity? Do you have other pets in the home? Have you kitten-proofed the home?
Again, get him to your vet for an exam TODAY.
Don't put orange peels around for him to get to, they are toxic to cats.
Use only enzymatic cleaners, like Petastic (formerly Nature's Miracle), since they will break down the enzymes and leave the area cleaned. Don't use other heavy cleaners or disinfectants, these will only mask the odor temporarily and your kitten will mark in the area again.
He's only 8 weeks old, you've only had him for two weeks. Ideally, kittens should not be removed from their mother and siblings until they are at least 12 weeks of age, so that they can develop properly and develop skills normally learned from the mother and siblings, including socialization.
I suspect he is enduring a fair amount of stress, so you need to take steps to reduce stress for him at all times. Are you spending quality time with him? Is he on a high quality kitten food? Does he have toys to play with and do you actively engage in his playtime and activity? Do you have other pets in the home? Have you kitten-proofed the home?
Again, get him to your vet for an exam TODAY.
..........Traci
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LuckyGinger
- Posts: 9
- Joined: Sat May 20, 2006 12:45 am
- Location: Ontario, Canada
Re: Why would kitten pee there?
He eats Royal Canin BABYCAT 34 and seems to enjoy it. He always heads straight to the dish up on waking and eats most of the food before taking a good, long drink of water.
His first vet appointment is on Friday. I phoned the Cat Clinic immediately after receiving Ginger but was told to bring him in at 8 weeks, so I will.
Ginger does seem quite content, is very friendly and affectionate and plays well with all of the toys we provide. He really appears to enjoy stalking and hunting the rabbit fur mouse! Any time he swats at us, we redirect him with the mouse and he now seems to head to it on his own shortly after fueling up at his bowl. And the cat doesn't go anywhere near the orange peels, which is kind of the point.
I do want to report that Ginger has been accident-free for the past two days now, so I probably don't have anything to worry about. I've always had female cats, and we're pretty sure Ginger is a boy so I wondered if this kitten might be different.
His first vet appointment is on Friday. I phoned the Cat Clinic immediately after receiving Ginger but was told to bring him in at 8 weeks, so I will.
Ginger does seem quite content, is very friendly and affectionate and plays well with all of the toys we provide. He really appears to enjoy stalking and hunting the rabbit fur mouse! Any time he swats at us, we redirect him with the mouse and he now seems to head to it on his own shortly after fueling up at his bowl. And the cat doesn't go anywhere near the orange peels, which is kind of the point.
I do want to report that Ginger has been accident-free for the past two days now, so I probably don't have anything to worry about. I've always had female cats, and we're pretty sure Ginger is a boy so I wondered if this kitten might be different.
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LuckyGinger
- Posts: 9
- Joined: Sat May 20, 2006 12:45 am
- Location: Ontario, Canada
Re: Why would kitten pee there?
I will get an enzymatic cleaner, thank you for that advice btw!Traci wrote:
Use only enzymatic cleaners, like Petastic (formerly Nature's Miracle), since they will break down the enzymes and leave the area cleaned. Don't use other heavy cleaners or disinfectants, these will only mask the odor temporarily and your kitten will mark in the area again.
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LuckyGinger
- Posts: 9
- Joined: Sat May 20, 2006 12:45 am
- Location: Ontario, Canada
Re: Why would kitten pee there?
Is there somewhere that I can read up on this? None of the toxic plant databases list Orange as a danger to cats.Traci wrote:
Don't put orange peels around for him to get to, they are toxic to cats.
Re: Why would kitten pee there?
This page http://www.cathelp-online.com/emergency ... plants.php has a list of poisonous plants as well as links to other sources (scroll to bottom)LuckyGinger wrote:Is there somewhere that I can read up on this? None of the toxic plant databases list Orange as a danger to cats.
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LuckyGinger
- Posts: 9
- Joined: Sat May 20, 2006 12:45 am
- Location: Ontario, Canada
Re: Why would kitten pee there?
Thanks, Cleo. I did check out your link, but I still can't find a source that cites orange as toxic for cats. Most do list Orange Day Lily though, good to know!
Re: Why would kitten pee there?
Anything citrus is toxic to kitties. Also in answer to your poll about Ginger being too feminine of a name for a boy cat, my opinion is no. My sister has a boy cat named Bella and a girl dog named JoBear -- go figure. If the name fits the kitty, be it in appearance or in personality, who's to judge. 
Re: Why would kitten pee there?
If you're not sure about the gender, see here.
I want to point out, that most causes to inappropriate elimination are due to a urinary tract infection, which in male cats, can be life threatening in a matter of hours if there is an obstruction, since the male urethra is longer than that of the female's, making it difficult for the cat to pass an obstruction or urinary crystals on their own, this requires immediate veterinary attention. Urinary tract infections may or may not precipitate crystals, but anytime there is inappropriate elimination, demands an immediate vet visit and urinalysis to ensure that infection and obstruction are ruled out. It is ALWAYS better to play it safe than be sorry. Perhaps your vet didn't make the connection when you talked to him on the phone, but please try getting your kitten seen earlier than Friday, especially if he is also developing the following signs: straining in the litterbox, squatting or urinating in unusual places (urgency to urinate), blood in the urine, painful in the abdomen when held or touched, fever, lethargy, decreased appetite or drinking.
Is his litterbox too tall for him? If so, get a smaller litterbox. What type of litter are you using? If using scoopable litter, use clay litter only, clay litter should always be used for young kittens because they have a tendency to eat or ingest scoopable litter when grooming or when caught on the fur or paw pads.
Please ensure you are free-feeding your kitten. Kittens need to have food available to them at all times, since they expend alot of energy, and need vital nutrients for growth and development.
Here is more information on citrus products ...scroll to near the bottom of the page. While the page is mainly intended to warn against over-the-counter products, it contains information about the harmful effects of citruses. So, throw the orange peels away immediately and don't use them again. If you use an appropriate enzymatic cleaner like Petastic, it will both clean and sanitize the area, and most often, will not leave a residue of urine scent for the cat to mark on again (providing you clean it right away and use it appropriately).
I want to point out, that most causes to inappropriate elimination are due to a urinary tract infection, which in male cats, can be life threatening in a matter of hours if there is an obstruction, since the male urethra is longer than that of the female's, making it difficult for the cat to pass an obstruction or urinary crystals on their own, this requires immediate veterinary attention. Urinary tract infections may or may not precipitate crystals, but anytime there is inappropriate elimination, demands an immediate vet visit and urinalysis to ensure that infection and obstruction are ruled out. It is ALWAYS better to play it safe than be sorry. Perhaps your vet didn't make the connection when you talked to him on the phone, but please try getting your kitten seen earlier than Friday, especially if he is also developing the following signs: straining in the litterbox, squatting or urinating in unusual places (urgency to urinate), blood in the urine, painful in the abdomen when held or touched, fever, lethargy, decreased appetite or drinking.
Is his litterbox too tall for him? If so, get a smaller litterbox. What type of litter are you using? If using scoopable litter, use clay litter only, clay litter should always be used for young kittens because they have a tendency to eat or ingest scoopable litter when grooming or when caught on the fur or paw pads.
Please ensure you are free-feeding your kitten. Kittens need to have food available to them at all times, since they expend alot of energy, and need vital nutrients for growth and development.
Here is more information on citrus products ...scroll to near the bottom of the page. While the page is mainly intended to warn against over-the-counter products, it contains information about the harmful effects of citruses. So, throw the orange peels away immediately and don't use them again. If you use an appropriate enzymatic cleaner like Petastic, it will both clean and sanitize the area, and most often, will not leave a residue of urine scent for the cat to mark on again (providing you clean it right away and use it appropriately).
..........Traci