Problems Problems Problems!

I have two cats.

Sam and Frodo.

They are indoor cats, Frodo is just over 2 years of age, and Sam is a little over a year old.


When Frodo was about nine months old, he got this stopper lodged in his intestines, and had to have emergency surgery to get it out. Ever since then he will not go into a carrier, even when you put him in with the whole towel covering him method, he thrashes it so hard that he can flip the thing over.....anyone who tries to go near the carrier will either be scratched or bitten.

My boyfriend had a chunk taken out of his arm while trying to help me put him the carrier while we were moving. He still has a scar from it.

So since we've moved, he hasn't gotten along with the other Cat, Sam. I don't understand its a much bigger place...

he refuses to use the litterbox and will only use it, if he's the first to have to go after I've cleaned it. Instead he poops on the floor outside of the box, and urinates in showers and sinks, or on rugs.....thankfully it hasn't been on the carpet yet.

If that ever happens I will have to give him up....because replacing the carpet will cost nearly $2 Grand.

So I can't even get him to the vet to see if there is anything wrong with him?

He hasn't had his updated vaccinations yet, because of this problem. The last time he was at the vet, they had to gas him due to his unruliness.

So I'm in quite a predicament. As my vet said she never had to deal with such an unruly animal before...

Why this odd behavior?

When cats go to the bathroom outside the box it can usually be the sign of a medical problem, like a UTI.

For getting him in the carrier. You should look into getting a cat blindfold, some sites sell them. They also act as a muzzle but the blindfold is the part you need. A cat will usually not fight if you blindfold them and they become completely at your mercy. Then you tip the carrier on end and lower them straight down inside back end first. I can usually makeshift this by setting the carrier straight up in a place they can't see. Then grabbing them and putting my hand over their eyes. They never see the carrier coming until they are pleasantly inside with the door shut.

Does the litter box have a cover? That could cause an aversion. Do you only have one litter box? He might have decided he dosen't like wherever Sam goes so he might require his own. You might scatter a bunch of small ones through the house. He might establish a certain location as his alone without the other cat to use that box.

Edit: If you think it might be a UTI you can get a sample yourself. Once a cat starts peeing they don't like to stop so you can easily stick a dixie cup under them and take the sample in for a urine analysis.

Maybe I'll try the urine sample thing...

I've tried separate litter boxes, but Sam will use both of them and it doesn't help the problem.

Yes there is a cover on the box because litter gets everywhere otherwise.

I've taken it off for a period of time, and that didn't help either.

Can UTI's go on for months at a time?

This odd behavior has been going on for six months.....?

Maybe the best thing to do right now is get a urine sample.

Thanx!

I agree that you cat needs to go to the vet right away to be tested for urinary tract problems.

In addition to the ideas posted above, you can talk to the vet about a getting a tranquilizer to give to the cat about an hour before the appointment. Once the cat is woozey enough, he will be easy to load into the carrier.

Good luck!

Originally Posted by lotsocats

In addition to the ideas posted above, you can talk to the vet about a getting a tranquilizer to give to the cat about an hour before the appointment. Once the cat is woozey enough, he will be easy to load into the carrier.

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Thats a good idea!

Vets are doing more and more home-visits now too. We have a home-visit vet in our area that advertises on the radio. Haven't needed to use it but that is helpful in this kind of situation.

I think he's trying to mark territory everywhere (giving Sam a message!) and may not have a UTI (tho' of course check into it). One way to try and fix this is to bring both cats out of the place entirely for a while (few hrs, a day somewhere neutral), try your hardest to eliminate any odors that might be in your place and provide three (may only need to be temp.) clean boxes in new places entirely. Before returning cats to the house dab a drop or two of vanilla between each of their shoulder blades, and under their chins. Then bring Frodo in first, followed by Sam 1/2 hr. later. Cross your fingers! If Frodo feels it's his place now (being there first) you may get lucky. And always put cats into carriers backwards!

Originally Posted by Heathersfs

Yes there is a cover on the box because litter gets everywhere otherwise.

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Cats often don't like the strong smell thats trapped from a hood. I'd try the multiple litter boxes, none with hoods. You said he uses them, but he will only use them once before they are too dirty? If its not medical related I think its just a matter of breaking a habit he's formed. You would have to keep on top of cleaning after he goes, probably on a weekend when your home. See if you can reform a habit.

Originally Posted by Larke

I think he's trying to mark territory everywhere (giving Sam a message!) and may not have a UTI (tho' of course check into it). One way to try and fix this is to bring both cats out of the place entirely for a while (few hrs, a day somewhere neutral), try your hardest to eliminate any odors that might be in your place and provide three (may only need to be temp.) clean boxes in new places entirely. Before returning cats to the house dab a drop or two of vanilla between each of their shoulder blades, and under their chins. Then bring Frodo in first, followed by Sam 1/2 hr. later. Cross your fingers! If Frodo feels it's his place now (being there first) you may get lucky. And always put cats into carriers backwards!

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But I don't even have a friend's place up here where I live that could take them for a few days, while I try that.

Sounds like a good idea though.

What are you using to clean the pee?

Originally Posted by SolarityBengals

What are you using to clean the pee?

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I'm using this thing called "Enzyme", its supposed to dessolve the odor of cat urine and stains.

Thats probably it. I don't think a UTI is what the problem is, but I'm not ruling it out.

I think there are territory issues.

Originally Posted by Heathersfs

I'm using this thing called "Enzyme", its supposed to dessolve the odor of cat urine and stains.

Click to expand...

Ok well thats good. If you suspect territory issues then I would seperate Frodo into a seperate room, give him his own space and get him to use the litter box on his own without Sam around. He'll be even more ticked off when Sam comes back from teh vet and smells even stranger. So I'd take the opportunity of him being gone to seperate him and give him some only kitty time until he is using the litter box normally. Then I'd use vanilla and play sessions as a slow re-introduction.

Board them at the vet's for a day only.

So Sam has been at the vet, and all day today, Frodo used the litter box without problems. I think I know my answer now...but still in question of how to solve the problem....

Try one more litterbox (right now) in a different place, and if it helps, you may find that things smooth out over time and one of the boxes may become unnecessary.

I have to take the litter away from Sam because he's only supposed to use newspaper for two weeks.

So Frodo will have his own litter box up in the second bathroom, and hopefully we can go back to one litter box in a month or so.


Thanks everyone for all your suggestions!!!

Actually, there are always supposed to be 1 more boxes than cats, not one less - for untroublesome situations.

Hi!
It seems as though Frodo has some issues with Sam, but it might be helpful to try the Feliway plug in to help calm everyone's nerves. I am not sure if you are familiar with the product but it is all natural pheramones to help keep kitties calm. It comes in various forms, the best being the plug in diffuser. I can also suggest that you get the spray form and try it in the carrier to help make it less traumatic. I had a very sick kitty for a while and after having her left kidney removed she is still reluctant to go into a carrier, but I found that buying a whole new carrier, style and all seemed to help relieve the stress. Now she is fine going into a carrier-it was almost as if she knew that the old carrier meant trouble.?????? You may also want to talk to your vet about some behavior altering drugs to help eas the stress on Frodo. I am a vet tech of 6 yrs and I have seen some kitties highly benefit from some of the drugs that are available both through your vet as well as some holistic remedies you can get at smaller pet stores. I have 5 kitties and sometimes the stress runs high in our house between them all and I have tied Rescue Remedy and it seems to help. Please let me know if there is anything else I can d to help.