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won't go in litter on her own - Page 2

post #31 of 54
2/22/12 at 8:12am
Thread Starter 

Got her another litter box--same type (she wasn't having problems getting in), same litter and even same type of little rug under it.

 

I left for work and my husband said she jumped in it and scratched around.  BUT guess what she did......went back to the laundry room one. UGH>>>>I sure hope I dont' confuse her.  But is is worth a try. I will try with this for a while.  As long as she does in one I'll be happy.  Then after a while once she get adjusted and grows I gradually move it back into the laundry a little at a time like someone suggested on a previous post.

 

I better not keep her in the laundry room.......I think it is too much at one time---new home, different envioroment etc etc and then being locked in a room........    Having 2 litter I think will work I PRAY and HOPE. She has had a run of the house---AND LOVES IT.  She jumps, runs up and down the hall, plays, chases me and we just has a blast.  I think she is so happy to be out of that dam dog cage. 

 

When we are home we can kinda tell when she has to go so we will encourage her to go.....now the QUESTION is.....when we encourage her to go should we take her to the laundry like we have been or the closer one to her now?  Again, I don't want to get confused!!!!!  I guess location really doesn't matter-----it is getting her to the box that is important.  We can gradually move it later.

 

She has been eating AND drinking on her own without me putting it inf ront of her.  She actually goes to it.  And that makes me happy. 

 

I get so upset and I hope she can't tell.  I love her and don't want to give up on her like her previous owner who didn't even give her room to run around. How can you cage a set of kittens---they want to run, hop, play, jump and explore.  This kitten has learned so much in the last couple days with us.  I see her doing stuff that she couldn't when she was caged. 

 

Thank you for you advice.  If you didn't notice.....I have never had children so I'm very impatient!  And I'm so angry at this girl for giving her away too early and lieing to me that she was litter trained.  Well, I guess she didnt'......she was trained.  Trained to go in her litter in a cage.

 

 

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post #32 of 54
2/22/12 at 8:52am

It is common for kittens to "play" in litterboxes.  In a way, it's how they practice and learn.  They learn boundaries in play, too.  From their siblings and mom about how biting is a no no and scratching is too.  So, you'll have to calmly and patiently show her that, too.  I don't want to overwhelm you.  Again, it's just part of having a very young kitten. 

 

I had many growing up.  So I thought I was an expert. When King Arthur and Morgan La Fay's mom, Genevieve had her litter and they were all going through this at first, I thought something was wrong with them?  But, then I realized just like human infants, they have to learn from experience and they have to develop the long term memories to remember to do so.  She is scratching in the litter.  This is good.  Let her do so.  Praise her for it, too.  As much positive reinforcement as she can get will go a long long way!! 

 

She can tell you are upset.  They know.  But, just try to stay calm and remember that this will all pass soon enough... And she'll grow up fast and this will all seem so silly to you.  Give her love and praise and she will be fine. 

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post #33 of 54
2/22/12 at 2:31pm
Thread Starter 

Question for anyone who can answer.....

 

So we put out the 2nd litter box this morning.  She got in it, played and then went straight for the other box to pee.  Nothing in the 2nd litter box today.  Tonight will be the test I guess.   I'm still considering keeping her in the laundry room for a night. 

 

My question is this.......later in the day she came to my husband and meowed and meowed so he thought he'd be safe and take her to the laundry and the litter box.  She followed him and into the litter box she went to poop.  Why is she meowing before having to go #2?   She has done this a couple times before.....the first time she had a #2 accident and a couple other times.  Is that what they do when they are with their momma and have to go to the bathroom?

 

 

 

 

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post #34 of 54
2/22/12 at 3:51pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by mariaanddonnie View Post

Question for anyone who can answer.....

 

So we put out the 2nd litter box this morning.  She got in it, played and then went straight for the other box to pee.  Nothing in the 2nd litter box today.  Tonight will be the test I guess.   I'm still considering keeping her in the laundry room for a night. 

 

My question is this.......later in the day she came to my husband and meowed and meowed so he thought he'd be safe and take her to the laundry and the litter box.  She followed him and into the litter box she went to poop.  Why is she meowing before having to go #2?   She has done this a couple times before.....the first time she had a #2 accident and a couple other times.  Is that what they do when they are with their momma and have to go to the bathroom?

 

 

 

 


Yes, kittens announce when they have to go just like little kids.  It's their way of saying "OH OK, I have to go now... Take me to the potty, please!"  If she starts meowing like that just go with her to the litterbox and let her do her business.  Praise her of course!!  A couple of mine still announce to me when they have to go! laughing02.gif

 

The 2nd litterbox is really there as a safety net so she has another option.  Don't remove it just yet because she may get confused when she can't see it.  Leave it there until you are confident she is completely potty trained.
 

 

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post #35 of 54
2/22/12 at 4:57pm

Also, don't be surprised if she also makes a lot of noise and runs around after going to the litter box. Cats often find it rather invigorating and get super excited after defecating.

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post #36 of 54
2/22/12 at 6:25pm
Thread Starter 

YES, she does run around when she goes. lol  It is so funny.

 

I'm driving myself NUTS with this. I'm actually thinking about sleeping in the laundry with her tonight. Is this CRAZY or what!  I'm worrying myself to death about this tonight.  WHY?  It is just poop, it can be cleaned up right.

 

I guess I've recieved 2nd litter box and putting her in the laundry as adivce to help with this and I have a terrible time deciding which one to do. ugh.......This poor cat has a nutball for an owner......worry about whether a cat will use the litter box or not. 

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post #37 of 54
2/22/12 at 6:36pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by mariaanddonnie View Post

YES, she does run around when she goes. lol  It is so funny.

 

I'm driving myself NUTS with this. I'm actually thinking about sleeping in the laundry with her tonight. Is this CRAZY or what!  I'm worrying myself to death about this tonight.  WHY?  It is just poop, it can be cleaned up right.

 

I guess I've recieved 2nd litter box and putting her in the laundry as adivce to help with this and I have a terrible time deciding which one to do. ugh.......This poor cat has a nutball for an owner......worry about whether a cat will use the litter box or not. 

 

 

Just one more thing to remember-- locking a cat up for the night is not really that cruel. You can leave a radio on in the room, too, so that she's not as lonely. A lot of cats feel more secure in a small place. It can sometimes become their safe area.

 

 

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post #38 of 54
2/22/12 at 8:08pm
Thread Starter 

It is me AGAIN......

 

My husband was playing with the kitten.  I went to bed.  He came back to say goodbye to me because he work night shift.  When he went back out to the living room she had gone to the bathroom in the same place she went before.  And we had just taken her to the litter box.  And there was no warning this time.  I feel like we just took 2 steps backwards.

 

So I'm sitting here crying my eyes out because we put her in the laundry room and put a rug at the bottom of the door and she meowed and meowed.  My heart is BREAKING.  I can't deal with this.

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post #39 of 54
2/22/12 at 8:20pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by mariaanddonnie View Post

It is me AGAIN......

 

My husband was playing with the kitten.  I went to bed.  He came back to say goodbye to me because he work night shift.  When he went back out to the living room she had gone to the bathroom in the same place she went before.  And we had just taken her to the litter box.  And there was no warning this time.  I feel like we just took 2 steps backwards.

 

So I'm sitting here crying my eyes out because we put her in the laundry room and put a rug at the bottom of the door and she meowed and meowed.  My heart is BREAKING.  I can't deal with this.


It's ok for her to cry-- honestly! She is ok. Sometimes something like a radio in the room with her helps. It also covers your movements so she doesn't hear you. However, just make sure you aren't doing it to punish her. Can you put a temporary litter box where she has had the two accidents?

 

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post #40 of 54
2/22/12 at 8:38pm
Thread Starter 

I dont know if she thinks it is punishing or not.  I didn't yell at her or anything.  When I saw the accident I picked it up brought it to the litter box and put her in the box.  Is this wrong?  This is what many people said to do.  Again I didn't yell, put her nose in it or anything like that.  I just brought her to the litter box along with some of the accident. 

 

I put her blanket, scratching toy, mice, rope hangy thing and food and water.  I also left a wind up clock in there along with a dusk to dawn candle for light.  I should have put a radio but didn't. 

 

Everyone said to do this at night or when we aren't home but we are home and she had the accident.  And we had just taken her to the litter box.  And she usually meows and gives us a warning but nothing this time. 

 

 

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post #41 of 54
2/22/12 at 9:37pm
Please don't worry about confining her to a small space, even if just for the night. Cats usually feel more secure in small spaces. If it helps, you could put a cat carrier in there with another blanket, or a cardboard box. Cats just love something about cardboard boxes. I keep one in my living room, and both of my cats (1 fully grown, the other 7 months) use it as both a playground and nap space.

And don't worry about posting frequently with lots of details. We LIKE that. laughing02.gif

Good luck!!! vibes.gifvibes.gifvibes.gif
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post #42 of 54
2/23/12 at 1:03am

How do you clean where she has been?  A weak solution of biological washing powder is best.  And if there is a particular spot she 'favours' I would put a litter tray there - or rather another litter tray.

 

And it does sound like she is slowly getting there.  But, more and more I think she was nothing like 6 weeks old so it's not surprising she has 'issues' at present.

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post #43 of 54
2/23/12 at 3:06am
Thread Starter 

Sorry....another post.

 

She seemed ok when I got her out of the laundry this morning.  She was laying near toy.  Nothing in the litter except for pee that I could see.

 

So I got her fresh water and food at her kitchen location and gave it to her.  She ate and drank some.

 

I then went over and stood beside the new litter box in the dining area and she came right over to it, jumped in and peed and pooped.  Of course I praised and praised her. 

 

Couple of more questions......

 

She didn't cover it.  She went thru some of the motions but didnt'.  Is that normal?  I went ahead and covered it up for it.  It stunk. 

 

I kinda stood still and watched her as she went to the bathroom.  Her stool was very very mushy. 

1.  I know she is is just a kitten but is that usual.  When will it start forming.  Is that a sign of some type of digestinal trouble?  Is it the food?

2.  Also, she passed wind......my goodness-----------I've never heard of a cat do that-------------as she was going.  Normal??????

3.  One more thing, as she was going see seemed to ok.....how can I say this nicely......grunt and push.  Normal for mushy stool.

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post #44 of 54
2/23/12 at 4:58am

Kittens often are a bit mushy, she has been through a very stressful time of late and that can make it worse.

 

All the rest is normal, and it sounds like she is making progress.  :)

 

If her stools are liquid (can't do the proper spelling) I'd give your vet a ring.  It might be her, it might be her food, it might be the stress, it might be a bit of all of them.  I think you said she has been wormed?

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post #45 of 54
2/23/12 at 8:43am
Thread Starter 

No she hasn't been to the vet at all for being wormed.  No test either.  The vet said I should bring in a sample of her poop or they can get a sample.

 

And goodness, she is soooooo skinny.  I can feel her ribcage.  Is that normal for a 7week old kitten.

 

I'm still feeding her meow mix and regular fancy feast.  I'm switching to kitten fancy feast tonight and kitten chow.....of course gradually.

 

I sure wish I could learn some patience......I'm ready to give her up.  ugh.....I hate myself because she is the sweetest thing.

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post #46 of 54
2/23/12 at 10:10am
Quote:
Originally Posted by mariaanddonnie View Post

No she hasn't been to the vet at all for being wormed.  No test either.  The vet said I should bring in a sample of her poop or they can get a sample.

 

And goodness, she is soooooo skinny.  I can feel her ribcage.  Is that normal for a 7week old kitten.

 

I'm still feeding her meow mix and regular fancy feast.  I'm switching to kitten fancy feast tonight and kitten chow.....of course gradually.

 

I sure wish I could learn some patience......I'm ready to give her up.  ugh.....I hate myself because she is the sweetest thing.


If you feel you cannot do this, then by all means find her a home with someone who can.  But just don't give her to anyone.  Maybe ask the vet if they know of anyone.  Sometimes vets will take kittens and puppies and adopt them out themselves or a tech might like her and take her home.  So, start there.  Some people though they love animals are not pet people.  They like their home nice and tidy and hate to have things messed up.  Owning a kitten or a puppy is much like having a toddler in the house.  They are messy.  They break things.  Cute as they are, they are not an ornament, they are living beings with the need for hyper play and love.  Messes to them are fun. 
 

 

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post #47 of 54
2/23/12 at 10:41am

I would think about a vet visit to get her wormed and check to see how she's growing.  It's so hard as I don't know what 'feel her ribs' feels like - maybe she is the right weight for her size, maybe she really is very skinny.  What I have noticed with kittens is that the grow in spurts - a kitten grows longer and feels a bit thin, fills out, grows longer and get a bit thin again and so on.

 

But - you can't feel the vertebra on her spine?  She might be OK.  If her ribs are hidden under fat she's fat.

 

Interesting all that poo testing - it's rarely done in the UK.  Maybe we have different worms?  The usual drug in the UK now is Milbemax:

 

http://www.ah.novartis.com/products/en/milbemax_cat.shtml

 

However she might be a bit light for it - 500g is the minimum weight that can be treated.

 

We also use Panacur liquid which is squirted slowly into the side of the kitten's mouth, as you measure the dose according to weight it can be used earlier but it treats fewer worms.

 

I believe you that she is the sweetest thing - kittens almost always are!  It's being so hard because she was far, far too young to be away from her mum.  The more I hear the more I'd be astonished if she was actually 6 weeks old when you got her.

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post #48 of 54
2/23/12 at 10:52am

So you had NOT  had any deworming?  So you must count she has worms. Probably round worms, maybe also tape worms.

 

The watery stool and smells AND difficulties to keep tight are more than well explained by that. It doesnt even need to be the natural stress she has.

 

I know you talked about an appointment with the vet, I though he did already gave you advices on the basic deworming.   Sorry if I wasnt clear enough in my earlier post.

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post #49 of 54
2/23/12 at 11:09am
Thread Starter 

I don't understand myself.  When I lived at home through college I've had cats--and I remember the messes, hair and heartbreak.  I want to keep her.  She and I have bonded and I'm so calm when she is with me.  IF I decide to not keep her I will not just give her to anyone and I will make sure she is vaccinated an fixed.

 

Vet visit is tomorrow.  The dam owners before didn't even take them.  I'd like to punch them right in the face.  Hopefully the vet can tell me more. 

 

It's interesting....when I told the girl I got her from that she wasn't going in her litter she responded "oh, she went to the litter here, I don't know what's going on."  And that is a bunch of BS.  And of course she gave some of the other kittens away and according to one of their new owners "the kitten is just find--no accidents or anything".  Well, lucky  you I say to them. 

 

 

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post #50 of 54
2/23/12 at 12:11pm
Quote:
Originallaccording to one of their new owners "the kitten is just find--no accidents or anything".  Well, lucky  you I say to them. 

 

 

Just fine?  so prob no diarrhea either?


Prob your girl got the most severe worm infection of them all who went to new home,

with diarrhea etc...  As said, having diarrhea, or even rare stool, it is difficult to keep tight.

 

Your little girl is a real heroine, who although having diarrhea, do tries to find the litter before it is too late...  Her not always succesful is just fate.

 

 

 

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post #51 of 54
2/23/12 at 2:00pm
Thread Starter 
This little dear just went to the bathroom and she meowed and had the squirts......I heard her. It looks like mush or pudding. I'm crying for her.

Do you all think it is worms?

Question......vet visit is tomorrow. If they give her medicine how long will it take to help her?

Also what can I get to get the Oder out of my carpets where she went before?
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post #52 of 54
2/23/12 at 6:40pm
Thread Starter 
Dear friends.......

The kitty just peed where she pooped a couple days ago. I thought I cleaned it but obviously not.

So. Is this normal?
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post #53 of 54
2/23/12 at 11:13pm

Biological washing powder is best for cleaning up where she has been, and since she has used the same place twice I'd put a litter tray there.  Think worms get cleared pretty quickly.  When I was giving kittens Panacur they had to have it three days running, Milbemax is a one-shot dose.  I'm not sure if the side effects go quite as quickly.

 

Yes, take her to the vet, worms can cause the runs, and whilst kittens often produce soft stools, the runs are not normal.  Worms might or might not be the cause but a vet check is well worth doing.

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post #54 of 54
2/24/12 at 12:08am
Quote:
Originally Posted by OrientalSlave View Post

Biological washing powder is best for cleaning up where she has been,



There are also enzyme-based sprays. Easier to use for quickies.  Or for places you dont want soaked with lotsa of liquid, sofas for example.

 

Both are better than the old home remedies,  mild soap-solution and or vinegar-solution.

 

Vinegar/vinegar essence solution is of course still useful in some variations, as it neutralises and breaks down the ammonia in pee.

 

 

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