fourcatmom Posted November 18, 2012 Share Posted November 18, 2012 I posted before we moved that I was considering putting a diaper on my 6 yo male cat due to peeing issues. We moved three days ago and we are making progress. I received a lot of great suggestions fromt that thread and I have been able to try some of them and they are working! I threw out the old cat boxes and bought new one's and bought the Cat Attrack litter that someone mentioned. (thank you :thumbup1: whoever it was) When we first got to the place and let everyone out, Rocky was very interested in the litter. He climbed in and scrated at it (never seen him stay in the cat box longer then he had to) and in general seemed very relaxed. He did use the box (to pee - I witnessed it! :willy_nilly: ) and that was the first time in a long time (yes, I am embarresed to admit that) and was so cuddly and loveable all night long. I slept on the couch that night and closed all the bedroom doors so he didn't have access to the carpets. He ended up making it the whole night and at about 10 the next morning he wandered into the bathroom and used it all by himself! You can image my JOY! :hurray: Things were going really well until Saturday morning and I had to leave the house. He did go in one location, possibly two while I was gone. The people that I left in charge who shall remain nameless (DH) didn't do such a great job monitoring him. Last night he woke me up at 2am and I stayed up with him for about an hour. He seemed like he wanted to go but wouldn't do it even with me sitting in the bathroom with him. I ended up putting him in the bathroom from 3 to 7am this morning and he still did not go. Let him out and he wandered around the house until 8:30 trying every corner. I was right behind him and told him no. He did end up beating me to a corner and quickly tried to pee but I was right on top of him. I took him into the bathroom, again and waited but he did not go. I finally let him out figuring he was done and got out what he needed to. I started doing the dishes and ignored him. All the bedroom doors were closed again. At 9am I noticed him in the corner of the living room licking himself and that he had used the catbox all by himself! So, I am still a bit confused. Sometimes I think I am causing too much stress but then I see him walking around the house looking for a place and I know if I am not on top of him that he will do it. Locking him in the bathroom doesn't seem to work either. I can't stay awake all night either. So, the litter seems to be playing a big role in his willingness to use it but also my persistence that anything else is unacceptable. I also don't think he likes the fan in the bathroom as the fan is attached to the light. Each time he has used the boxes the light/fan has been off. I am also thinking of adding another box to the laundry room area just for an extra. Any more ideas, we are getting there! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Candid Posted November 18, 2012 Share Posted November 18, 2012 I did not see your first thread, but I assume you've gone to the vet and eliminated any physical health problems. Personally, I'd be tempted to limit his overall access to rooms with no carpet. It will mean learning to close doors, etc. I lived like this for several years when my elderly cat did not want the dog near her, we divided the house into dog and cat spaces. Once you are used to it, it is not difficult. I'd also learn to ignore him if he isn't happy about this. Some of what he is doing could be for a bit of reward for having you stay with him; remember sometimes any attention is better than no attention. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fourcatmom Posted November 18, 2012 Author Share Posted November 18, 2012 double post, sorry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fourcatmom Posted November 18, 2012 Author Share Posted November 18, 2012 I did not see your first thread, but I assume you've gone to the vet and eliminated any physical health problems. Personally, I'd be tempted to limit his overall access to rooms with no carpet. It will mean learning to close doors, etc. I lived like this for several years when my elderly cat did not want the dog near her, we divided the house into dog and cat spaces. Once you are used to it, it is not difficult. I'd also learn to ignore him if he isn't happy about this. Some of what he is doing could be for a bit of reward for having you stay with him; remember sometimes any attention is better than no attention. He had several blockages about two years ago, it was after surgery to eliminate the blocking that the urinating outside of the box started. I have been pretty convinced that it is a mental problem associated with the pain from that time and then probably just turned into a bad habit. He medically is fine as long as he stays on his prescription food - which incidentally makes him urinate more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pawz4me Posted November 18, 2012 Share Posted November 18, 2012 The acting like he wanted to go kind of worries me. What kind of surgery did he have before? Was it the kind that permanently fixed him so it's impossible for him to get blocked again? I'd defnitely add another box or two. And get a nightlight for the bathroom so you don't have to turn on the light/fan. But if at all possible, I think confining him to a small, carpet free room for a week or so is the thing to do. And you might try putting something in the corners to discourage him. Aluminum foil should work, but you'd have to weight it down. What I'd do is buy an inexpensive carpet runner with the "nubbies" and cut it in corner-sized pieces and place the pieces upside down in each corner. The little "nubbies" hurt kitty paws and so they won't walk on it. You could even do something as simple as put loops of packing tape on the floor in the corners. I admire your dedication to him. But for your stress level and his, I'd consider getting him on some medication. There are some anti-depressant type medicines that can help cats with litterbox issues. I think they'd definitely be worth a try. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fourcatmom Posted November 18, 2012 Author Share Posted November 18, 2012 The acting like he wanted to go kind of worries me. What kind of surgery did he have before? Was it the kind that permanently fixed him so it's impossible for him to get blocked again? I'd defnitely add another box or two. And get a nightlight for the bathroom so you don't have to turn on the light/fan. But if at all possible, I think confining him to a small, carpet free room for a week or so is the thing to do. And you might try putting something in the corners to discourage him. Aluminum foil should work, but you'd have to weight it down. What I'd do is buy an inexpensive carpet runner with the "nubbies" and cut it in corner-sized pieces and place the pieces upside down in each corner. The little "nubbies" hurt kitty paws and so they won't walk on it. You could even do something as simple as put loops of packing tape on the floor in the corners. I admire your dedication to him. But for your stress level and his, I'd consider getting him on some medication. There are some anti-depressant type medicines that can help cats with litterbox issues. I think they'd definitely be worth a try. Yes, he had the Perineal urethrostomy surgery and other then the litterbox issue, he has been great. He had problems once but I had changed his food and I will never do that again. Within days of switching the food he had blood in his urine. It's not just corners that he goes to, he will back up to any wall. We also have learned not to leave any towels or blankets on the floor either because he will get those too. Is the anti-depressant meds for depression or more of anxiety? I would be willing to look into that. I just don't know of a way to keep him contained (would require a very large gate and he could still jump it) except in the bathroom. I can't imagine him living in the bathroom for a week? That seems like it would stress him out more. I don't know. I know that I will need to contain him when I leave the house though until I can trust him. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Candid Posted November 18, 2012 Share Posted November 18, 2012 I had thought about anti-depression meds, too. It's really for anxiety, although, truth be told, he's a cat, we don't really know. He sounds very anxious wandering around. Confining him to a smaller space will also help with that anxiousness as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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