Running out of options :(

Hey guys...posted a couple weeks ago about my cat soiling my bed. I read that it was separation anxiety--solo cat and is really only attached to me.

To make sure it was nothing medical--I paid for a blood exam for her...and all came back negative. The doc said to give her cat prozac for her anxiety--but now I think that it has become habitual as she is doing it while I am in the room (vs only when I was gone).

I've done the following to help alleviate the problem:

I made her a screen door on my window and a step that she uses--she knows how to step in and out so she can amuse herself while I am gone.

I cover my bed in a shower curtain and put her food on top of it. This worked for a little bit--but not anymore, she now poops/pees on the edges that will then fall off the edges of the bed.

I changed her kitty litter box back to the old traditional side-flapped ones (vs the top open one I just got).

I would make no fuss when I leave--and give her less attention when I am here--I try to encourage her to explore other parts of the house.

--

I am now running out of options--and I don't know how to get cats to break out of bad habits. The last resort is--giving her away to another home that will have multiple cats so she isn't so dependent on her new owner--or a new home in general so she won't have these bad habits.

Please let me know what you guys think--I feel like I am at the edge of my thread. She soiled my bed and I reprimanded her and put her on the outside ledge for now. She's just sitting there clawing at the door to get in.

At this point, I would try two things:

1) Retrain

Limit her to a very small room with a bare floor - a bathroom would
be ideal. Move in her litterbox, food and water and bedding. (Given
her desire for bedding as an elmination site, I would use the bottom
of a small box, just large enough for her to lie down, and put in some
towels for softness. That should be a comfortable bed, and the
towels are easily tossed into a washing machine.)

Visit her there, but don't let her leave. She can have her toys and
things -- the idea is not deprivation, but limiting the space. She will
be reluctant to use the bare floor surface, since she can't scratch it,
and she will be reluctant to mess near her bed and food. If the
space is limited enough, that leaves little room BUT her litter box.

Keep the box religiously clean; scoop/change daily. Give her no reason
to dislike the box. Praise her whenever she uses the box in your
presence, and maybe even reward her with a favored treat.

How long you need to keep her there will depend on her -- if she
uses the box religiously for a few days, then you can try letting
her out.

When you do let her out, you can try Feliway in your bedroom. It
leaves a smell to my nose, but it's not intolerable, and it relaxes
my semi-ferals beautifully. But I think at this point you have to break
the habit, first.

2) If retraining doesn't take, seek out an animal behaviorist/psychologist. This can be expensive, but it can also be effective. Ask your vet for one local to your area.

Best of luck!

Carol

Oh, I just thought of something else.

You don't say in your message if you've tried other litter types.
She may not like the one you're using. If so, then she found
another surface she likes better - i.e., your bed.

You can try experimenting with other kinds/brands and see
which she accepts the most.

But if this has become a regular habit, I think I'd start with
retraining. Maybe use different litters during the retraining?
You don't want to switch too much at a time, though. Small
steps, and patience. (don't we all wish we had more!)

Carol

What type of litter are you using? I use something called Cat Attract, it's a little more expensive than regular litter, but it worked for someone I know & my cats love it (although they have never gone outside the box)

I didn't see your original posts, so maybe this has already been tried... What about removing the bedding that she has soiled in the past and using entirely new bedding? Could it be the smell of the areas she has soiled in the past, because they persist after washing, attract her back to use that area again?

But the re-training idea sounds neat and seems pretty logical!

Originally Posted by rblaude

I didn't see your original posts, so maybe this has already been tried... What about removing the bedding that she has soiled in the past and using entirely new bedding? Could it be the smell of the areas she has soiled in the past, because they persist after washing, attract her back to use that area again?

But the re-training idea sounds neat and seems pretty logical!

Click to expand...

I agree with the restraining idea...but also making sure to clean the bedding (and mattress, as well as flipping it after it dries) with something enzyme-based (as well as your regular detergent) to completely rid it of any trace of her former soiling. I would recommend washing it in the enzyme-based cleaner first and then doing another cycle with regular detergent.

Make sure to get an enzyme-based cleaner that's ok for cats (should be available at any pet store).

Let us know how things go...I hope our ideas solve the problem!

Oh, and PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE don't go so far as to give your kitty prozac...it's something that can be solved otherwise...and you don't want a lethargic, non-active kitty in place of the one you so love.

Originally Posted by maherwoman

Oh, and PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE don't go so far as to give your kitty prozac...it's something that can be solved otherwise...and you don't want a lethargic, non-active kitty in place of the one you so love.

Click to expand...

If you DO have to go the drugging route (which I would do as a
last resort only) consider St. John's Wort instead of Prozac.
It's been used longer on cats, so there's more data, more vets
are aware of the proper dosages, and it's a milder, more natural
drug. Ask your vet.

But I'd try everything else, first!

Carol

Is she declawed? Some declawed cats develop litterbox issues, among many other things. I would first off, get some Feliway Plug ins. Multiple of them throughout your house but especially where the litterbox is and where she has the most accidents (your bed).

Originally Posted by cflynt

If you DO have to go the drugging route (which I would do as a
last resort only) consider St. John's Wort instead of Prozac.
It's been used longer on cats, so there's more data, more vets
are aware of the proper dosages, and it's a milder, more natural
drug. Ask your vet.

But I'd try everything else, first!

Carol

Click to expand...

I don't know much about meds and cats, but in humans St. Johns Wort has been shown to be less effective than prescription meds, and has more side effects. I would be very careful about giving herbals to an animal unless you have your vets ok.

As for giving this cat away...good luck finding someone who will take a cat that is eliminating on your bed. Seems like it would be easier to shut her out of your bedroom.

Try citris oils with the orange scent you should try that the cats don't like it but I find it smells beatiful you should get a natural one from a health food store.

Originally Posted by cflynt

If you DO have to go the drugging route (which I would do as a
last resort only) consider St. John's Wort instead of Prozac.
It's been used longer on cats, so there's more data, more vets
are aware of the proper dosages, and it's a milder, more natural
drug. Ask your vet.

But I'd try everything else, first!

Carol

Click to expand...

I completely agree.