Cat potty problems

posted by Jeff | Friday, April 4, 2008, 11:01 PM | comments: 5

Just before we left for Seattle, one of the cats peed on the rug (it really tied the room together) in the kitchen. No idea at the time who did it. We also found a small deuce when we got back from Vegas.

The first suspect was Gideon just because he has a history of infection issues. It still seemed like a horrible flash back of Luna's behavioral problems though, and I wanted to peg Oliver for it since he's got the same OCD and crazy eye tendencies as Luna. I don't think either one of us considered Emma because she's actually pretty laid back most of the time.

Well today, I caught Cosmo trying to bury something in the corner, went over and found that someone peed there. I didn't see anyone else there so I assume it was her. Then this evening, while I was down in the office, someone took a huge dump. Gideon I can rule out because he's been upstairs since I got home. Emma hasn't really moved. So Cosmo and Oliver have been running around, but it sure looks like orange fur in the excrement. Gross, I know, but I needed a clue.

On one hand, I don't want to believe it's her, because she's never done anything like that in her 11 years. On the other hand, "her" house has been rocked by the addition of three roommates who are all very used to each other and somewhat clique-ish. But why now, after three months?

I remember back in the day that the vet suggested multiple litter boxes in different places, as they tend to claim them as their own. We have two together, but honestly I don't know where else we can put one. There's just no convenient place.

This upsets me. I want them all to just get along. I don't want to revisit the Luna days of a trashed and soiled house because of a cat with emotional problems.


Comments

Jamie

April 5, 2008, 4:37 AM #

Really, I've heard that you need a separate litter box per cat plus one extra. I hope you can solve your kitty problems!

draegs

April 5, 2008, 9:04 PM #

My vet gave me the same formula (# of cats + 1), but my two seem to be doing alright without the extra box.

Perhaps it's her way of showing displeasure in being left alone with the other cats while you have been doing all your traveling recently?

Diana

April 7, 2008, 5:42 PM #

Before moving in with Jeff I had 4 litter boxes (and only 3 cats). We still have only 3 litterboxes but I clean them out daily, so it shouldn't be an issue.

Catherine

April 8, 2008, 4:38 AM #

Different locations are important. I know it's tough to find a place, but if you haven't replaced the carpet in the yellow room yet, what about in there? Cosmo might need a space to call her own and take a shit in peace. Also, make sure you're spending tons of time with her, making her feel special. Have you played brushie a lot? It may be as simple as her wanting cuddle time with you an coming around the corner to see another cat on your lap. I hope this helps. Let me know if you have continued problems and we can figure it out!

Jeff

April 8, 2008, 4:52 AM #

Yeah, we've been giving her a lot of individual attention, and I do think that helps. The yellow room is Diana's "office" now. She wasn't coming upstairs at all for awhile, but this weekend she came up a couple of times and we brush her whenever she makes an appearance.

You know how pissed she'd get when Cosmo wanted to play or even be her friend? Yeah, Oliver has assumed that role. He means well, but she's easily annoyed.


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