Tabbytudes Cat Behavior Column - June 2003

June 2003

Dear Readers,

This month we return to litter-ary issues, one of the most common challenges cat owners must face. In addition, readers wondered how to accommodate cats when owners are away, dealing with cat demands, and helping resident cats accept newcomers to the house. This month's Tabby Tip at the end of the column suggests ways to handle hand-gnawing cats. Of course, many more issues are addressed in my books-I hope you'll watch for the latest title, "Complete Care for Your Aging Cat" available early next month.

Purrs,
Amy

Amy Shojai's Reply:

Dear Denise, I'm very sorry you and Megan are going through such troubling times. After spending ten years together, I'm sure this kitty is very much a part of your family - and it hurts us when a family member feels bad. First of all, I commend you for seeking veterinary care so quickly. That's the best thing you could do! There are several things going on here I'd like to address.

First, you should know that cats who have always been "faithful" to their box often will announce urinary discomfort by squatting right in front of us. They can't say, "Mom, I feel bad," so they do the next best thing-make it obvious by going to the bathroom outside the box.

Megan is not being bad out of spite or to get back at you for confining her. Yes, she may be stressed from being separated from her people -and stress can actually cause a relapse of cystitis (bladder inflammation). When she urinates in front of you, though, it's a cry for help, and a sign of trust that you'll somehow fix her problem.

Understand that every time Megan urinated, it HURTS her. Cystitis is very painful-think of poor Megan needing to "go" so badly, but experiencing severe burning/pain when she does urinate. Oftentimes, cats that suffer from painful elimination end up blaming discomfort on the box. That's why they refuse to use it any more, and seek other places to relieve themselves.

Therefore, I'd suggest you get rid of the old litter box, and replace it with two brand new ones. Give Megan a fresh start for bathroom facilities that are not associated with the pain she remembers from past cystitis episodes. It's amazing how often this simple solution seems to help.

Also get rid of the bath mats. It is nearly impossible to eliminate urine odor with simple laundering, and the urine smell will draw Megan back again and again, even after she's recovered and feeling well. It's cheaper and more effective to just buy a new mat. Avoid bath mats that have rubber backing, though. The rubber smells like urine to cats and tricks them into using mats as a bathroom.

I'm not familiar with "Simple Green" cleaner. Generally I recommend an odor neutralizer that "eats" the urine scent molecules and eliminates the smell entirely. The product I really like, called Tuff Oxi, can be used on the wall-to-wall carpet as well. Tuff Oxi comes as a crystal granule that's mixed in very hot water, and is soaked into the stain-then is blotted up and allowed to dry. It works great!

Depending on the makeup of the urinary stones, certain therapeutic diets can help prevent their formation or even dissolve existing stones. Any change in diet, though, must be made gradually or you can upset the digestion and end up with diarrhea or vomiting. If a diet change is needed in the future, try mixing the old food with the new in a 50/50 split for the first several days, then gradually increase the new food until Megan is eating only the prescribed diet.

You can try placing Megan's food bowls directly on top of the cleaned carpet places, to dissuade her from using those spots again. Cats won't go to the bathroom on top of where they are eating. In fact, it may be that Megan has now decided she doesn't want to use the bathroom next to her food bowls any longer-so she makes a made dash out of the laundry room to get relief.