Added new kitten, nervous older cat now having litterbox issues

photogirl843

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In August, I adopted a new kitten. While I had been toying with the idea off and on for a while, bringing him home at that moment was a bit of an impulse. I knew there would need to be some adjustments with my two existing cats, but 2 months later I'm starting to worry about my older cat.

Bowie is 8 and he is a VERY sensitive and nervous cat. He has always been that way, but it has gotten more obvious over the years. Now, 2 months in to having the new guy, Bowie is having litter box issues. He's pooped outside the box a few times and has peed outside it as well. (Note: he was fine until the past few days.) I am going to try to get him in to the vet tomorrow or Wednesday, but I'm going out of town on Thursday and may not be able to before I go. I'm fairly sure that his issues are stress related, but I will be ruling out medical issues as well.

Bowie is not a fan of Calvin (the kitten) at all. He doesn't like to spend much time in the same room with him. Sable, my 5 year old cat, is okay with him and plays sometimes, but he's not thrilled with Calvin's energy. I admit to having been lax on playing with Calvin as much as I should be. Between work and personal factors, finding it in me to do that has been more difficult than I thought. I'm trying to improve that though.

I did buy a Feliway diffuser refill and have it in one room. I want another one to put in the main living room, so hopefully those will help. I just put the first one out this weekend.

After that preamble, can anyone give me some suggestions for how to help Bowie? I thought maybe Calvin was cornering him in the laundry room where the litter boxes are, so I moved one out in to the living room where there is no walls near it so Bowie would have an escape and would not feel trapped. I'm going to probably close off the den (aka the cat room) for a while and let Bowie have some time alone to just relax. I want to sit down and just have a little time with him myself. I miss having him snuggle with me.

I admit that I am kind of regretting bringing Calvin home. He's very sweet and loving, but I feel so bad for Bowie and Sable. Everyone tells me it will work out and give them time, but I guess I need to hear it again... I know that multi cat situations can work, but I guess I am extra sensitive to my boys being so upset. They mean everything to me, and I haven't truly bonded with Calvin yet, so if nothing gets better, then Calvin is the one who would go back. I don't want to do that, so any and all help will be greatly appreciated!!!
 

Draco

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Sounds like you are doing everything! Keeping Calvin busy is a good idea, keeps his mind off of Bowie.

Is the litter box covered? Maybe try uncovering it- this way Bowie can see his surroundings.

I hope someone can offer greater advice! I know with time Bowie will adjust!
 
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photogirl843

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I do have some good news to report! Last night, I was wearing Calvin out with my Da Bird toy and while I had him occupied, I saw Bowie get into the litter box I placed in the living room and he used it! I think he used it again this morning, but I don't know 100%. I am very glad that there was some change though. 

It also occurred to me that Bowie hasn't been totally thrilled with changing litter that I did a while back. He's been okay with it, but with everything else, he might do better if I put a box or two back on the old litter... 

I do have to take him in to the vet today, as he must have gotten a claw near the eye yesterday as it is weepy and he's holding it mostly closed. No discharge or blood, but I'll get him looked at just to be sure. May as well take Sable in as well to get them their shots since I'm due for them soon anyway. 
 

Draco

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Thats great he used the litter box! a good sign :)

Let us know what the vet says. 
 

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Ok...

I'm so sorry you didn't have more replies sooner. Sometimes threads get missed, despite our best intentions.

I don't think this is a hopeless case at all. It's simply that youthful exuberance has got a little out of control!

I understand that time is an issue, but you really do need to give daily interactive playtime - and not just with Calvin. It sounds like both older cats have lost confidence thanks to Calvin's play drive, and interactive play followed by a meaty treat is a great way to build confidence and help Bowie and Sable reclaim their territory. It doesn't have to be much - just 3-5mins for the older guys would be enough to help build confidence and release stress.

For Calvin - have you considered harness training him? Getting him out of the house could help in so many ways. First of all, it's a ton of extra mental stimulation. That can be tiring by itself for a youngster. It's also getting him moving, and maybe even giving him the opportunity to hunt a bug or two. Daily playtime is still really important in addition to this though. If you could get up, say, 10 mins earlier and give him a quick play session before you leave for work, it could really help him settle and quit bugging the older guys while you're out.

If you have to go away for a few days, the cat sitter will need to play with Calvin as well as feed him. Daily playtime is the only way to get him to leave the others alone.

With the litterbox - this is a bit of a weird idea, but it might work: have you thought of keeping the laundry room door closed and fitting a microchip cat flap, and programming it to let Bowie and Sable through, but not Calvin? That could give Bowie a little security. Just a though.

Bowie might also really benefit from Composure. He sounds like he's a stress-head by nature, and something to chill him out might be part of the solution (at least, until Calvin learns a little self control ;) ). Spirit Essences could be worth a go too - both to help balance Calvin's exuberance and boots Bowie's and Sable's confidence.

Increasing available vertical space is another trick worth trying - its amazing how much energy can be run off by climbing. You could even lead Calvin up and down the different levels in play sessions. I did this with my girl, and it wore her out much faster.

Self play interactive toys can be helpful too, as can puzzle toys. Anything to get Calvin's brain working and distract him from bugging the others.

I know this is a lot to throw at you. I just hope some of it helps
[article="32366"][/article][article="30316"][/article][article="0"][/article][article="0"][/article][article="22430"][/article][article="22537"][/article][article="22426"][/article][thread="297074"][/thread]
Hang in there. I'm sure there'll be a way through this :vibes:
 
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photogirl843

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Thank you very much! 

I just got a new toy the other day to go along with their Da Bird toy and both Calvin and Sable love it! Bowie wants to play, but the other two are so exuberant that Bowie rarely gets a chance to join in. I'm definitely working to make sure they all get daily play time. 

I have had Spirit Essences before (still have a few bottles of different kinds) but I never saw much improvement. I had Feliway as well (3 diffusers) and didn't see much change there either. Not sure if I just didn't have enough time with them or not. 

Funny you should mention harness training!! I have been thinking about it and actually bought a harness and lead the other day. So that is definitely on the list. It's been raining SOOOO much in the past week or so that taking him out will be a bit touch and go for a while. We've had between 3-5 inches of rain in the past week and my yard is a swamp. 

I bought another cat tree today and some more enzyme spray. Hopefully I can clean up the area where they peed and then work to keep them from going back. I have thought about trying to find a box or something that will only let Sable and Bowie in, but haven't really looked much to be honest. I'll look in to it more if things don't get better. 

One way that I redirect Calvin if he is starting to stalk or chase Bowie is the laser pointer. He LOVES it and he knows what sound it makes when I rattle it (it has a little clip on the end and it rattles when you pick it up) and he instantly comes running when he hears it. So I redirect him and play with him for a while to get his focus off of Bowie. 

Your suggestions are great and I appreciate them very much! I do think that it can work too. As I type this, we're all 3 sitting on the couch together. Bowie is on the back of it and Sable and Calvin are sitting on either side of me. I just really hate to see Bowie stressed, since he can give himself a UTI easily when stressed. Thankfully that's not the issue here, just stressed enough when he's being harassed in the litter box. 
 

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It sounds like you're doing great with them all. It can just be hard to manage such different personalities :rolleyes: Trust yourself and what you're doing. It's clearly working.

A tip with the laser pointer - end each session by making it land on a toy. That way, Calvin will get to 'catch' his 'prey' after the hunt...and probably give it a good kicking! It'll just stop him getting frustrated by the laser not being a physical presence ;)

Do give Composure a go with Bowie. It sounds like he could use a little extra help right now, and it should help with retraining him back to the litterbox.

It sounds like you have a well integrated cat family, where the baby has slightly bratty moments :lol3: Perfectly normal to me...my one year old was (and still sometimes is) the same, but with one difference - she respects my old boy too much to go after him, so she beats up on and generally torments the dogs. We now have a full grown labrador who's scared of an 8lb cat! :rolleyes:
 
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photogirl843

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Cat tree hasn't shipped yet. Dang stuff I ordered hasn't gotten here.

Okay, the past few days have been pretty stressful. I was very sick this weekend so I slept the vast majority of it. The cats got fed but had little else. I've been fighting Calvin peeing on things a lot in the past few days. He's peeing on the guest bed, and then Bowie peed in the bedroom so Calvin peed there and despite me treated them with Nature's Miracle, he continues to pee in places. I'm starting to really stress out. He's been such a brat the past few days, even after I play with him and try to wear him out. I play and play until he doesn't want to, then 2 minutes later, he's chasing everyone around the house. 

About the harness training - we tried that once, he went out and seemed okay. Came back inside and 2 seconds later, he sprayed on a bookcase. >.< I... I just don't know what to do anymore. I'm really feeling overwhelmed and I don't know what to do. 
 

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:hugs: I'm so sorry things are so stressful. Getting sick can feel like the final straw sometimes. I hope you're well on the way to recovery now :vibes:

This peeing behaviour is new with Calvin, isn't it? It's definitely worth getting him checked by a vet to rule out a physical cause.

Has Calvin been neutered yet? The spraying could be linked to his becoming sexually mature. I've not heard of a cat spraying after going outside, but it's possible that he was feeling threatened/intimidated by the scents of other cats when he was out, and felt the need to mark out the house as his in response.

Older kittens do sometimes go through a really bratty stage. It can be so hard to wear them out. A good rule for a truly energy draining play session is to take him to panting/exhaustion two or three times. This can take a while, but he should be truly tired afterwards.

Really hope all your new furniture comes soon. I'm sure that'll make a difference too.

Hang in there. I know it's really tough, but you will get him through this :hugs: [article="29684"][/article]
 
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photogirl843

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Calvin was neutered before I adopted him. His peeing is only because Bowie pees. He only pees where Bowie has peed, so he's following Bowie's lead. I just have to get that under control. I can still take him in to get a check up but I'm pretty certain that's the cause of his peeing. 

Not sure why he sprayed. It was very odd. I later saw what I think may be a spray mark from another cat on the front door, so I don't know if that might have been a factor. 

Yeah, I'm just really getting stressed over all this. I'm going to have to put Calvin away one evening (in the bathroom this time since the guest room is off limits right now for him) and go through the whole house with a blacklight, find where Bowie has peed and clean like a madwoman. Maybe once everything is okay there, I can start working on everything else. Heck, I need to clean the house anyway, so it will be a good reason for it. 

Fingers crossed. I am just really stressing right now over this and other things. It's moments like this that I really wish I had never gotten Calvin. No one's happy right now it seems, except him... 
 

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If there was a spray mark on the front door, that could definitely account for Calvin spraying as soon as he got in.

Going round with a black light to find all the pee spots is a great idea. Hopefully that will help with breaking the cycle :cross:

I understand how stressful and overwhelming this all is right now. I wish there was more I could do to help. Hang in there, hun :hugs:
 
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photogirl843

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The ups and downs continue... 

We've had okay times here and there, but Calvin is still harassing Bowie a ton. I've got Composure coming today, as well as some Feliway Multicat that should ship soon. I had a doctor's appointment yesterday at 5 in a town about 45 minutes away. Well, things were backed up, so I didn't get home until about 8:45. Calvin had been in the guest room yesterday to give the other two a day off. So when he was out, it was on. 

This morning, after feeding, I was sitting in the bedroom and Calvin came in and sprayed on my bookcase without warning (at least none that I could see.) I corrected him and removed him to the other room where I put him in a litter box, then cleaned the area with Nature's Miracle. The rest of the morning he spent bugging Bowie. 

So here's a question I had: At what point do I decide that Calvin is being a bully as opposed to just being a bratty kitten? He homes in on Bowie readily whenever he sees or hears him and then will generally go straight for him. I can distract him for a while, but it doesn't take much for him to refocus on him again. I know he's still young, but I don't want to just assume this is because he is a kitten, and not because he is becoming a bully. 

Sadly, the cat tree I ordered has not arrived. I have been fighting with the people I bought it from but I am just going to assume it won't be coming, so I need to figure out something else. Bowie just needs somewhere to be safe. I put him in the den last night and let him have it to himself. Not sure if he liked that or not, but he loves that room so I hope he was good. 

I'm trying not to go insane, but I'll admit it's not easy. I have never had so much trouble with cats, and I know it's because I got a 3rd. I really wish I had reconsidered it when I was thinking about it because we're all stressed. There are times when everyone is calm and can be near each other fine. I have a picture of all 3 of them on the couch with me at once, so it can be done. I just hate going from one extreme to another...
 
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photogirl843

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6 or 7 months I believe. My caffeine hasn't kicked in yet, so my brain isn't letting me remember much.
 

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'Bratty kitten' and 'bully' can be very hard to differenciate at this age. Calvin is naturally at the age when he's testing every boundary to breaking point. Not easy to live with, I know :(

I can't remember if he's neutered or not, but I am wondering if there's a hormonal element to this behaviour (particularly the spraying, but it'll obviously affect everything else too). If he has been neutered, it might be worth a vet visit to make sure that an undescended testicle wasn't missed. If he's not been neutered, then now is definitely the time.

It really sucks that the cat tree didn't arrive :( Do try to get one from somewhere, or even get some cheap 'floating' shelves, carpet them, and create a step series on the wall(s). Snick and jaspers wall-furniture thread (linked to in one of my earlier posts) is a great illustration - though obviously I'm not saying you need to go as all out as she did. I'm just thinking it might be cheaper than buying another cat tree.

Hopefully the Composure and Feliway multicat will help calm things down too. I wish there was more I could say to help :hugs:
 
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photogirl843

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Believe me, it's been a huge help just knowing there are people I can get ideas from. 

He was neutered when I adopted him, but I can check with the lady I got him from to make sure that there wasn't anything odd with it. 

I am planning on getting some shelves put together, mostly for Bowie, but I know Sable will like it as well. He was on top of the kitchen cabinets last night... No clue how he gets up there. Guess I need to make them a way up there so he can get up whenever he wants. 
 

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If a testicle was undescended at the point of neutering, the vet most likely wouldn't have picked up on it. The best way to work out if this is the problem is a simple blood test to check hormone levels.

Hang in there hun :vibes:
 

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I once took up a stray young cat who did the same thing. She started my older cat down the path to pooping not in the litter box. After I gave the cat to the shelter my cat didn't do much of pooping in the wrong places afterward. I think my older cat got stressed out. Maybe that is the problem with Bowie and Calvin.
 
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