Tabbytudes Cat Behavior Column - August 2003

August 2003

Dear Readers,

We've a theme column this month, with much to discuss regarding improper elimination and marking behavior. Other questions concerned late night shenanigans, and unwelcome homecoming "urps." This month's Tabby Tip at the end of the column offers some suggestions about stovetop urination-Ewwwwwwww!!! - and suggests ways to address that. I'm also pleased that so many folks like my latest book "Complete Care for Your Aging Cat." For folks with more youthful furry friends, "Complete Kitten Care" is available to answer your questions.

Purrs,
Amy

My Cat Sprays Urine

QUESTION: Hi Amy, This has been ongoing for us for over a year now. Cody was left at the car dealer… We decided to take him since nobody there wanted him. We took him directly to the our Vet, got him checked over and vaccinated (he was already neutered), she checked him for a microchip, found none, so home he came. We had six kitties already with no problems; well that changed immediately!

Cody started marking right away. He also really wanted to go out and would scratch the door to let us know. I take part blame, because I just put him in with the other kitties without the slow introductions they say should be observed. I've always introduced my kitties this way and never had a problem-well not this time. None of the cats went after Cody, they were just curious about him.

He acted like he wanted to play and interact, but when one of the other cats tried to play with him, he saw it as an attack, and would go on the defensive. The other cats were getting confused because even when Cody would initiate play, when they took him up on it, he would suddenly get defensive.

After a few minor squabbles, and Cody marking two or three times a day we decided to try medication to try and build up Cody's confidence. It definitely helped and the marking was greatly reduced (now he was marking once every week or so, better but still not acceptable). He was on Buspar, the mildest of the medications on the body according to my Vet.

After him being on the meds for over six months, I wanted to try something else. I took him off first and for awhile things stayed the same (marking every couple of weeks or so), then the marking started getting more frequent. I noticed Cody and Fred (our 12-year-old, very mellow cat who gets along with everyone), started getting into slight squabbles, with Cody initiating. I figured Fred being mellow would give in and maybe this would help boost Cody's confidence. Well one day Fred got tired of Cody trying to assert himself and decided to fight back. Cody didn't know how to handle that and now Fred realizes Cody is afraid of him and goes after Cody. He doesn't hurt him, does get a paw full of Cody fur occasionally, but mainly just backs him into a corner and keeps him there until he's bored with it. He does this several times a day and Cody's marking has escalated accordingly.

I tried the animal communicator routine way back when Cody and Fred were just starting to have their problems. I used some flower remedies she mixed specifically for our problem. Nothing has changed except the marking has increased and now is going on in more than one room.