Anyone?
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CatNap
Anyone?
Has anyone ever had to permanently confine a cat due to improper elimination? Looks like my last resort for my cat, Peanut, is to put her in the basement. I have spoken with my vet becasue I was worried of the emotional effect it would have on her but he says that is a fine option. This is the cat who sprays and pees everywhere now. I am having my carpets cleaning tomorrow because we are having a big gathering on Sunday. The basement is huge, there is about 1500 sq. ft. There is a finished area with a huge window and a ledge to sit on. The window is at ground level so they can see birds and things very well. I really HATE to do it, but I feel confining her is my last option rather than putting her to sleep which I just cannot do. They also have 5 litter boxes down there too. I just wondered if anyone has had to do this before. Thanks!
Re: Anyone?
Catnap, I haven't read all your posts, but have you ever sought a second opinion from another vet? What methods and measures have you already tried to curb the urinating behavior, and was urinary tract infection/bladder inflammation or other problems ruled out specifically? What testing and diagnostic procedures have been done thus far?
..........Traci
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CatNap
Re: Anyone?
My vet did rule out any urinary problems. He did a urinalysis back when I took her in and said everything was fine as he suspected. He said that the more cats you have in an area, the more likely it is to have one or more cats spraying and peeing. I have 5 indoor cats and NEVER had a problem with any of them up until about 3 months ago. He suggested that I call an animal behaviorist which I did, but cannot even speak with this vet without a consultation of $180 which I don't want to waste if he can't help me. My vet also suggested I try putting Peanut on Buspar or something similar but he said most cats have to remain on it for the rest of their lives. I have cleaned the areas with the cleaners with enzymes and such but it isn't making a bit of difference in the smell so I suspect she is still doing it.
Re: Anyone?
Well, try not to resort to behavioral modification drugs. One thing you might want to consider is looking deeper into the heirarchal formation of the cats, and ruling out the possibility of Peanut being intimidated by one or more of your other cats. Watch her closely and try to observe any of the following:
When she eats, does she wait until most or all of the others have eaten first?
When she 'attempts' to use the litterbox, is it during unusual hours of the day or night, and when the other cats are not around or are sleeping, etc?
What noticeable events take place directly before a spraying/marking incident? Was there an event caused by you, a family member, or another cat that caused her undue stress or anxiety?
Is she withdrawn at all, meaning, does she withdraw from playtime, activity, interaction from the other cats? Does she seek to hide or confine herself in out-of-the way areas of your home?
Is she active and playful, or is she inactive and fearful and stand-offish?
Any number of the above could indicate undue stress to a variety of issues, each of which should be monitored, investigated and corrected as you notice them. If she is perhaps intimidated by other cats, then focus on the intimidators for behavioral modification with THEM. If Peanut is agitated with environmental factors that may be associated with the other cats, try to find the underlying cause (or multiple causes) and deal with them directly at the first sign of a problem.
As for cleaning, try Woolite Oxy-Deep, may have to use more than one application. If Peanut urinated on rugs and carpets however, the padding will still contain the smell, so may need to resort to a professional cleaning or rental of a carpet steam cleaner.
I don't think it's necessary to confine her to the basement long term, you could of course try for a couple days, a week at the most and monitor her behavior and her actions, but the important thing is getting to the underlying cause of the spraying/marking, which in my best educated guess in Peanut's case would be a stress-induced problem.
When she eats, does she wait until most or all of the others have eaten first?
When she 'attempts' to use the litterbox, is it during unusual hours of the day or night, and when the other cats are not around or are sleeping, etc?
What noticeable events take place directly before a spraying/marking incident? Was there an event caused by you, a family member, or another cat that caused her undue stress or anxiety?
Is she withdrawn at all, meaning, does she withdraw from playtime, activity, interaction from the other cats? Does she seek to hide or confine herself in out-of-the way areas of your home?
Is she active and playful, or is she inactive and fearful and stand-offish?
Any number of the above could indicate undue stress to a variety of issues, each of which should be monitored, investigated and corrected as you notice them. If she is perhaps intimidated by other cats, then focus on the intimidators for behavioral modification with THEM. If Peanut is agitated with environmental factors that may be associated with the other cats, try to find the underlying cause (or multiple causes) and deal with them directly at the first sign of a problem.
As for cleaning, try Woolite Oxy-Deep, may have to use more than one application. If Peanut urinated on rugs and carpets however, the padding will still contain the smell, so may need to resort to a professional cleaning or rental of a carpet steam cleaner.
I don't think it's necessary to confine her to the basement long term, you could of course try for a couple days, a week at the most and monitor her behavior and her actions, but the important thing is getting to the underlying cause of the spraying/marking, which in my best educated guess in Peanut's case would be a stress-induced problem.
..........Traci
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CatNap
Re: Anyone?
Peanut has always been the "scaredy cat" of the bunch. She hides at the sounds of loud noises, when company comes, things like that. Some of my cats do not get along, true. Peanut and another cat, Skippy seem to snarl all the time at each other. This has made Peanut start to snarl at the youngest cat, Boo. Peanut doesn't seem to have a problem eating or drinking or using the litter boxes when she needs to. People keep telling me that once a cat starts "marking" their territory, they will never stop, no matter the situation. Is this true? Even if I found good homes for the OTHER cats, I'm worried that the spraying won't stop.
Re: Anyone?
No, those remarks said to you are not necessarily true. If a direct or ongoing health problem has been ruled out, then the majority of cases such as this are usually related to some sort of stress in the environment.
Since she is skittish, maybe think about providing a box in an area that only she frequents the most, or in an area she feels most secure in. It may take alittle time to train the other cats not to use this box, but it's certainly worth a try. You might also change the litter type, in the event she doesn't like the one you're currently using. The litter is like food to some cats, they can be happy for the most part with one type, but it's always possible they will develop a dislike at any time for reasons unbeknownst to us.
It does sound like there is some intimidation going on, and it could have been a learned behavior, depending on how long you've had her and the other cats combined in her presence. But, it's never too late to try to make changes and correct the problems. The sooner you start, the more receptive to the changes she will be.
Try relocating just one box, just for her, preferrably in a room you can confine her in should she continue the marking behavior.
If any of the others seem to intimidate her for whatever the reason, seperate the suspect cats for short periods of time (time-outs) until the behavior is less severe.
Spend more time with Peanut, and be observant to the times of day/evening when she seems to appreciate affection and attention most.
Restrict the areas she has marked previoiusly and try to steer her attentions to her new box location and other interesting diversions. Keep doing this until she learns that the previous areas are off limits, or until she no longer shows interest in marking those areas.
Always use enzymatic cleaners where possible, don't use products not intended for pet messes, as they can contain perfumes and scents that will cause a cat to naturally mark in that area (to mask the smell to them)
Try providing her with toys, favorite items that she feels secure with, like a favorite blanket, favorite toy, in an area she has not marked before.
Do reward her with a special toy or treat when she does use her litterbox.
Lastly, don't assume she may be the only cat marking in your home. Just like the "snarling" attitudes, marking can cause a domino effect with the other cats. One will mark, another may mark in the same area or another area as a terrotorial instinct. Watch all the cats and try to determine if another one may indeed be marking as well.
Again, you can try to keep her in the basement for a few days or a week, but if you do, start out fresh, preferrably with a newly-bought litterbox, new litter, include her favorite toys or blanket nearby, etc, and do pay her attention as if she were still upstairs with you. She will still need your attention and devotion.
If confining her in the basement works, without accidents or mishaps, you can then gradually re-introduce her to other areas of the home again, but it's best to get all the previously marked areas on your rugs really clean first so that she's not likely to repeat the behavior. Then, use the same litterbox you gave her in the basement, and locate it to an area she is most comfortable in upstairs.
Don't give up, ....there's no need to take drastic measures, it just takes alittle time and comittment.
Since she is skittish, maybe think about providing a box in an area that only she frequents the most, or in an area she feels most secure in. It may take alittle time to train the other cats not to use this box, but it's certainly worth a try. You might also change the litter type, in the event she doesn't like the one you're currently using. The litter is like food to some cats, they can be happy for the most part with one type, but it's always possible they will develop a dislike at any time for reasons unbeknownst to us.
It does sound like there is some intimidation going on, and it could have been a learned behavior, depending on how long you've had her and the other cats combined in her presence. But, it's never too late to try to make changes and correct the problems. The sooner you start, the more receptive to the changes she will be.
Try relocating just one box, just for her, preferrably in a room you can confine her in should she continue the marking behavior.
If any of the others seem to intimidate her for whatever the reason, seperate the suspect cats for short periods of time (time-outs) until the behavior is less severe.
Spend more time with Peanut, and be observant to the times of day/evening when she seems to appreciate affection and attention most.
Restrict the areas she has marked previoiusly and try to steer her attentions to her new box location and other interesting diversions. Keep doing this until she learns that the previous areas are off limits, or until she no longer shows interest in marking those areas.
Always use enzymatic cleaners where possible, don't use products not intended for pet messes, as they can contain perfumes and scents that will cause a cat to naturally mark in that area (to mask the smell to them)
Try providing her with toys, favorite items that she feels secure with, like a favorite blanket, favorite toy, in an area she has not marked before.
Do reward her with a special toy or treat when she does use her litterbox.
Lastly, don't assume she may be the only cat marking in your home. Just like the "snarling" attitudes, marking can cause a domino effect with the other cats. One will mark, another may mark in the same area or another area as a terrotorial instinct. Watch all the cats and try to determine if another one may indeed be marking as well.
Again, you can try to keep her in the basement for a few days or a week, but if you do, start out fresh, preferrably with a newly-bought litterbox, new litter, include her favorite toys or blanket nearby, etc, and do pay her attention as if she were still upstairs with you. She will still need your attention and devotion.
If confining her in the basement works, without accidents or mishaps, you can then gradually re-introduce her to other areas of the home again, but it's best to get all the previously marked areas on your rugs really clean first so that she's not likely to repeat the behavior. Then, use the same litterbox you gave her in the basement, and locate it to an area she is most comfortable in upstairs.
Don't give up, ....there's no need to take drastic measures, it just takes alittle time and comittment.
..........Traci