POZ Community Forums
Off Topic Forums => Off Topic Forum => Topic started by: bocker3 on June 10, 2013, 08:01:13 pm
-
We just adopted a cat on Saturday and he seems to be having a hard time with the transition. I'm hoping someone (or a few someones) have had experience with re-homing an adult cat.
Background:
Stanford (yes, that is his name) is 8 years old and was with the same family since he was a kitten. He, apparently, wasn't adapting well to the newborn that came home a few months ago, so his owners decided to find a new home for him.
He is known as a loving cat -- a lap cat, I'm told, but since he got here all he does is hide. We actually could not find him for about 8 hours on Sunday -- he was hiding in the fireplace, behind the gas logs.
He has not eaten anything, it's hard to tell if he's drinking, but he did finally pee last night -- twice. He's a fat cat and his owners said they had to ration out his food, as he would eat whatever was in his dish all at once.
Since the fireplace episode - we have confined him to our guest room, to give him a "safe" space, without much traffic. He started out sitting in a chair, looking out the window, but has since moved to under the bed. Now that he has finally gone to the bathroom, I feel a little better (that took 36 hrs and was really getting my worried for his health), but the not eating can't be good -- 2+ days now.
So..... any suggestions? Is it just a case of more patience and he'll come around? I'm spending some time just sitting on the bed in the room, talking softly to him and just reading. Hoping this will help him see I'm not a threat to him. I feel so badly for the little guy (well, he's really a big guy, but I don't know if he's sensitive about his weight......).
Thanks for any advice you may have.
Mike
-
Hi Mike . I had a similar thing with my cat when I lived in Chicago but our thing was we brought a new cat in and our cat hated us for it for awhile . She pretty much stayed in the bedroom closet for over a week until she got over her mad , she became besties with the new cat and forgave us too .
I bet she just needs time and she will love you guys all the more for your patience .
-
Hey Mike,
Cats do not like change and they especially don't like being dumped by their family of eight years. Right now, he's pissed and scared and he needs some time to just settle in and get comfortable. I just got a kitten and my Ramses absolutely hates me right now, but he'll get over it. What I do with any new animal is give them something you have worn, so they get used to your scent and keep doing what you are doing.
He'll come around, as you rarely find cat skeletons under the bed.
Joe
-
Hey Mike,
Cats do not like change and they especially don't like being dumped by their family of eight years. Right now, he's pissed and scared and he needs some time to just settle in and get comfortable. I just got a kitten and my Ramses absolutely hates me right now, but he'll get over it. What I do with any new animal is give them something you have worn, so they get used to your scent and keep doing what you are doing.
He'll come around, as you rarely find cat skeletons under the bed.
Joe
Thanks Joe -- you actually made me chuckle about this situation for the first time...... "cat skeletons".
I guess I am really just thrown as this is the first real "tough" adoption we've had. Our first two went very easily -- even though both cats were completely different in temperament -- one loved "alone time" and the other needed attention on demand (even at 3:00am), so this is a new experience for me. and the not eating or drinking (at least, I don't think he is drinking) is scaring me.
Jeff -- thank you also! Hearing of other's successes will help keep me sane.
Hugs,
M
-
The not eating and drinking scared me too but then I noticed a bit of food gone from her dish one morning after a week of eating nothing , she had been sneaking out at night for a snack and then back to the closet to keep appearances up for her hunger strike .
A can of tuna is a hard thing for a hungry cat to ignore .
-
Mike; While I am not necessarily a cat person (nothing against them, just haven't had one for quite a few years) a colleague of mine just got a new cat and he was explaining his integration process into the house. By the way - he is very, very much a cat person.
His process was to bring the cat home and put the cat in one room (bedroom, living room, etc.) that can be "screened off" off with lattice. Put all the necessary stuff in the room of course, including some personal clothes so he gets used to your scent - and yes visit with him (just be in the room) as often as possible. That process can take a few days to a week. If there are other animals, the lattice allows the other animals to sniff each other while being protected from each other and get used to each other. After he is used to one room, then open him up to the next room/section of the house (for a few days to a week) and then the next section (for a few days to a week)....you get the idea.
All new relationships take work, but are well worth it in the long run.
Best
JM
-
I'm with the others. Just give her time to get over being mad.
-W
PS- That's a lucky cat to have you as her owner. ;)
-
I think you've gotten some great advice. I will echo that cats don't like change, and I can only imagine what Stanford is going through after being kicked out of his "forever" home...that is longer than any relationship I've had other than with my family! (Oh except my last boss...still hoping to get back together with her one day.)
My baby boy Simon (separated in a separation) was a loving guy, except when he or one of the other cats would go to the vet. Then he would get on top of the fridge, would NOT come down for 2 or 3 days, and would hiss and swat at anyone who came near. Near-Satanic. On.The.Fridge. Then he'd be fine.
-
A can of tuna is a hard thing for a hungry cat to ignore .
If the tuna does not work, I suggest you use the nuclear option... catnip.
Joe
-
If the tuna does not work, I suggest you use the nuclear option... catnip.
Joe
LOL & hahaha Joe! If all else fails, drug 'em!
-
Thanks guys - patience ain't my strong point!!! Guess I will have to breathe and let him do what he will do, when he is ready. I will throw the shirt I am wearing over by where he is under the bed and have Sid do the same.
Oh ... Already tried the tuna AND catnip, to no avail! Will try tuna again tomorrow or Wed.
Hugs to all
Mike
-
Oh ... Already tried the tuna AND catnip, to no avail! Will try tuna again tomorrow or Wed.
Hugs to all
Mike
No No , its for the cat not you .
-
No No , its for the cat not you .
Maybe Mike should try the catnip it may help him calm down a bit. :D
You have been given some great advise Mike. Cat's have the most amazing sense of smell so he can probably still smell the other cat, he just doesn't know where it is, so hiding could be a form of keeping himself safe.
Where ever he is sleeping put in one of your old sweat shirt or an old sock even so he can get used to your smell, eventually it will over power the other smells...oh and keep him inside for a couple of weeks, don't let him roam just now.
Aroha
Jan :-*
-
Maybe Mike should try the catnip it may help him calm down a bit. :D
You have been given some great advise Mike. Cat's have the most amazing sense of smell so he can probably still smell the other cat, he just doesn't know where it is, so hiding could be a form of keeping himself safe.
Where ever he is sleeping put in one of your old sweat shirt or an old sock even so he can get used to your smell, eventually it will over power the other smells...oh and keep him inside for a couple of weeks, don't let him roam just now.
Aroha
Jan :-*
Thanks Jan -- well, except for the comment about my socks "overpowering other smells"..... ;)
Not to worry -- my cats are all indoor cats. I adopt declawed kitties. Would never have one declawed, but seeing as so many others do and I don't like my cat to be an outdoor one - it just makes sense to adopt them.
Hugs,
M
-
You know the old line about herding cats, right?
You didn't adopt Stanford, he's in the process of adopting you. You cannot dictate the terms of the adoption, he will - and on his own time schedule.
That fact that you're so concerned about him shows that Stanford has found a good home. Lucky him :)
Be patient, he'll come around, when he is ready.
-
Mike,
You may be aware of it, but just in case, there is a show on Animal Planet called 'My Cat From Hell (http://animal.discovery.com/tv-shows/my-cat-from-hell)' that deals with these sort if situations. I believe that they had a case just like yours some time during the first season (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/My_Cat_from_Hell) (I think it was episode 1.3). You may find some tips that help with your situation in that episode.
Stanford will eventually get used to you and the new environment. one day he will come to you asking for affection. I had a similar situation a few years back with my cat Benito (he was a bit of a dictator --may he rest in peace in kitteh heaven).
-
There is a product you can spray in areas of your home that will help you cat adjust. I used it when I moved because my cat would hide for weeks when we moved into a new house. It's supposed to trick the cat in thinking his new home is familiar territory. It worked (albeit with limited success, they are cats after all). You can buy it at pet smart or petco. Here is a ink.
http://www.petco.com/product/100221/Comfort-Zone-Spray-with-Feliway-for-Cats.aspx?cm_mmc=CSEMGoogleAdExtProd-_-Cat-_-Comfort%20Zone-_-646911&mr:trackingCode=4804EC15-8381-DE11-B7F3-0019B9C043EB&mr:referralID=NA&mr:adType=pla&mr:ad=28820597395&mr:keyword=&mr:match=&mr:filter=51515420755
-
Good luck with the kitty :)
It took our kitty a few months to adjust when we moved from
Las Vegas to Missouri .
I have found the kitty toys work well for new Meowers ;)
Also ignoring the kitty , or pretending to is the sure way to get him
up on your lap .
You have a Lucky Kitty ,
Carl
-
He ate half is bowl of food and drank a good deal of his water today!!! Woo Hoo.....
Hey Bug -- I actually used some of that spray yesterday -- and today got a diffuser of it. Did it work? I don't know -- but I sprayed it yesterday and he ate today.
He's still under the bed, but I'm ever so much more hopeful.
Mike,
You may be aware of it, but just in case, there is a show on Animal Planet called 'My Cat From Hell (http://animal.discovery.com/tv-shows/my-cat-from-hell)' that deals with these sort if situations. I believe that they had a case just like yours some time during the first season (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/My_Cat_from_Hell) (I think it was episode 1.3). You may find some tips that help with your situation in that episode.
Stanford will eventually get used to you and the new environment. one day he will come to you asking for affection. I had a similar situation a few years back with my cat Benito (he was a bit of a dictator --may he rest in peace in kitteh heaven).
I will try and track this episode down -- thanks! And sorry for the loss of your beloved dictator kitty.
Again -- thank you all. It's funny how we find support for so much more than HIV on this site!
Hugs and :-* :-* to you all.
Mike
-
Great news Mike! :)
-
He ate half is bowl of food and drank a good deal of his water today!!! Woo Hoo.....
Good news!Hey I may be asking a bit much given the circumstances but can you snap a pic of him for us?
-
We promise not to judge you for not vacuuming under the bed .
-
We promise not to judge you for not vacuuming under the bed .
LOL! ok well maybe wait till he starts getting out more.
-
Well, he was out from under the bed for a while today. He was sitting on a chair in front of the window. He was there when we went out to the store and was still there when we returned.
After seeing the pic request, I went into the room to snap one, but he was back under the bed. Not the best picture, but it's all I can get today.......
(http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h324/bocker3/Stanford_zps8b514ce7.jpg) (http://s1104.photobucket.com/user/bocker3/media/Stanford_zps8b514ce7.jpg.html)
Do his eyes look funny to you?? ;D
We are so happy that he has pee'd (repeatedly), drank, ate and NOW -- even spent some time admiring the weeds growing in our front yard.
Hugs,
M
-
Do his eyes look funny to you?? ;D
Not really. Most cats eyes look like that as they are contemplating sucking the life out of someone. You or Sid may want to keep one eye open tonight.
Joe
-
Poor Stanford will come around. Watch how much tuna you give him as you may be cleaning up messes. (It gives my cat diarrhea).
If he likes to hide in bags give him a brown paper grocery bag, and shower him with toys. They make mice that are made of real mouse fur (supposedly) he would probably just adore, you can get them at petsmart. When he decides where he likes to sleep you can get him a cat bed for that spot.
What do you feed him?
Have fun.
Michelle 8)
-
Do his eyes look funny to you?? ;D
I agree with Joe, I'm pretty sure Stephen King wrote a screenplay detailing the way cats steal souls, you may want to watch it to find useful information about when they are going to suck the life right out of you.
-
When I get stressed I take a bath.... perhaps a nice bubble bath with his new owner will help get things acclimated. A bonding experience if you will...
-
Continued progress.........
He's still eating, although much less than his current "waistline" suggests is his norm. His litter box habits seem back to normal though. He is roaming all around the room now -- I've left some treats in different spots and they are all disappearing, so he is exploring.
The big news -- he's taken to hiding in the closet now (cue gay jokes......). The good part of that is I can reach in and pet him. He's actually allowed me to do so twice today -- he tolerates it without slinking away and even lifts his head so that I can get under his chin. Of course, both times I found him in the closet and gave him some scratches, he left right after I walked away and went back under the bed. Still..... progress is progress.
Mike
-
When I adopted my cat from the local no kill shelter, she hid under the bed for almost a month. She did seem to venture out when I was sleeping. I remember waking up one night, stirring in the bed, and her jumping off and running back under the bed.
That was about seven years ago. Now she's laying by me. I'm sure your cat will be fine. You're doing many things to help the kitty adjust, and I'm sure he will be most grateful at some point.
-
Great progress. I'm not a cat person really, but I did have a similar experience. A friend had to leave for a 3 week training course for work and I agreed to watch his long haired Persian. I had been around this cat forever and we were quite comfortable with each.
Almost immediately upon staying with me, she started acting all freaky and wouldn't come out from under the bed. I finally stopped fussing over her and she slowly came around and eventually enjoyed the adventure.
Wolfie
-
If your are going to watch Stephen King animal movies don't forget Pet Cemetary where the cat comes back to life from the grave, and Cujo, although that is about the ultimate dog from from hell. ;D
Michelle
-
Big progress today!! I coaxed him out from under the bed with a treat and some catnip (the HELL with "just say no" to kitty drugs).
He was out rolling around, rubbing all over me and PURRING (the first purr's I've heard from him in this house) for a good 15-20 mins. He'd run and take a piece of food or two and then come back to me. Of course I'm completely covered in orange furr now -- but it was so worth it. Hopefully, Sid can have this same breakthrough with him soon -- I have to fly down to Tampa tomorrow for work -- will be there until Thursday. I'd hate for any backward movement.
My mom arrives on 7/3, so I am hoping to get him out of "nesting" completely in the guest room, as I suspect this "new stranger" may cause him to revert a bit. Sid and I are going on a 6 day getaway and mom had been scheduled to come and watch Charlie -- now she gets Stanford instead. Oh, she also gets to sit by the pool and read -- so don't feel badly for her.
I posted a full pic of Stanford in the "Pets" thread by mistake, so if you haven't seen him yet, you can go there.
Thanks again for all the kind words and encouragement.
M
-
ok Mike. it's been another whole week. i'm looking forward to hearing a progress report. :)
-
ok Mike. it's been another whole week. i'm looking forward to hearing a progress report. :)
Well, typing this update is a little difficult as I have a fairly large cat on my lap!!
He still stays mainly under the guest bed, but he comes out whenever called -- even from another room. Although, he has only ventured downstairs, on his own, once -- and would not leave the living room. He peered into the kitchen and the dining room, but that was it. I am carrying him downstairs at least once a day, hoping he will start to feel safer down there.
We moved his litter box out of the guest room and into the hallway on the bedroom level (we have a 4 level split home). This forces him out of the guest room. Next week, we are going to move the litter box down to the living room (just temporarily, of course) and move his food & water into the hall. this will make him leave the bedroom even more. Given that Mom arrives on 7/3, he will want his stuff out of there by then anyway.
Last night, he actually jumped into bed with us twice. Never lasted more than a few seconds -- and jumped on me each time as he exited.
All in all -- he continues to progress, but he is still incredibly skittish. Anything can send him flying back under that bed.
Thanks for asking Mitch!!!
Hugs,
Mike
-
Thanks Mike!
8)
So fun to hear of adaptation stories.
In your lap! Quite the accomplishment. :)
Keep it up. :)
-
How's Stanford doing mike?
Here's how I woke up this morning, and usually every morning. On my back with a cat between my legs, you can see my leg under the covers on the right and Matty has his head resting on it. He is so spoiled that I will try not to wake him as I pull my leg out.
Btw, if y'all remember this is the cat I "rescued" out of my tree 4 years ago and got scratched and infected and had to go on Antibiotics. LOL.
But we are all good now. I love my Matty Kitty.
(http://i1018.photobucket.com/albums/af308/IwuvPhilly/matt_zps0df7b3e4.jpg)
-
Aw Will, he's so adorable. See how kitty's initial fear turns into total gratitude for rescuing? Very nice.
-
How's Stanford doing mike?
Here's how I woke up this morning, and usually every morning. On my back with a cat between my legs, you can see my leg under the covers on the right and Matty has his head resting on it. He is so spoiled that I will try not to wake him as I pull my leg out.
Btw, if y'all remember this is the cat I "rescued" out of my tree 4 years ago and got scratched and infected and had to go on Antibiotics. LOL.
But we are all good now. I love my Matty Kitty.
(http://i1018.photobucket.com/albums/af308/IwuvPhilly/matt_zps0df7b3e4.jpg)
Oh -- how very cute -- and a little sad, as Charlie used to do the same thing (but between Sid's legs, not mine).
Stanford has definitely accepted us. He seems more taken with me than Sid, but........
He still rarely, if ever, leaves the bedroom level of the house. I can coax him down to the living room if I'm sitting in there reading, but he just roams around completely nervous and ANY sound sends him flying back upstairs. I tried moving his food down and he just didn't eat without my carrying or coaxing him down. When an obese cat fails to come to his food, I know it's too soon.........
This morning he woke me up, again, with a chin licking and some of the loudest purring I have ever heard.
thanks for asking,
M
-
Oh -- how very cute -- and a little sad, as Charlie used to do the same thing (but between Sid's legs, not mine).
Stanford has definitely accepted us. He seems more taken with me than Sid, but........
He still rarely, if ever, leaves the bedroom level of the house. I can coax him down to the living room if I'm sitting in there reading, but he just roams around completely nervous and ANY sound sends him flying back upstairs. I tried moving his food down and he just didn't eat without my carrying or coaxing him down. When an obese cat fails to come to his food, I know it's too soon.........
This morning he woke me up, again, with a chin licking and some of the loudest purring I have ever heard.
thanks for asking,
M
Have you tried using teasers in the space that he's comfortable in? Even older cats tend to find them irresistible. If you can get him into play mode it might open him up more to coming downstairs while using the teaser.
-
Have you tried using teasers in the space that he's comfortable in? Even older cats tend to find them irresistible. If you can get him into play mode it might open him up more to coming downstairs while using the teaser.
He does like to play and I have gotten him downstairs with one of his "wand" toys -- but anything sends him scurrying back up. Perhaps I'll have to look into buying one of those teasers. Although -- if food can't coax him down, I don't what will. Did I mention he is a FAT cat.... LOL
Although -- funny story -- Sid bought a new (used) bedroom set for the guest room yesterday (I'm not much for used furniture, prefer new -- but he's cheap, so --- we balance each other out -- but I digress).
Today, we were moving the dresser in and I said, "let's keep the front door open while we unload, Stanford isn't going to be down here trying to get out." --- You guessed it, once the dresser was off the truck, I look up and he's laying at the threshold of the door -- clearly contemplating an escape. I just said, "What are you doing, Stanford" and bam -- back up stairs he went. We laughed our heads off -- just when you think you've figured a cat out, he shows you better.
Mike
-
He does like to play and I have gotten him downstairs with one of his "wand" toys -- but anything sends him scurrying back up. Perhaps I'll have to look into buying one of those teasers. Although -- if food can't coax him down, I don't what will. Did I mention he is a FAT cat.... LOL
I saw the pics, he is a big fellow. He's a lucky cat too.
I would imagine part of his shyness to the rest of the house is from smelling Charlie's scent. Cats are very territorial. Years ago I heard something about a pheromone spray for cats that supposed to help with the territorial markings cats do. I'm not sure how it works, or if it does for that matter.
Although -- funny story -- Sid bought a new (used) bedroom set for the guest room yesterday (I'm not much for used furniture, prefer new -- but he's cheap, so --- we balance each other out -- but I digress).
Today, we were moving the dresser in and I said, "let's keep the front door open while we unload, Stanford isn't going to be down here trying to get out." --- You guessed it, once the dresser was off the truck, I look up and he's laying at the threshold of the door -- clearly contemplating an escape. I just said, "What are you doing, Stanford" and bam -- back up stairs he went. We laughed our heads off -- just when you think you've figured a cat out, he shows you better.
Mike
LOL It figures.... kids and animals both, have a way of proving us wrong every time... especially in front of spouses. ;)
-
OK -- so, Stanford has adjusted well. He now seems to be part of the family. Of course, the flip side seems to be that now he is doing all he can to "claim" this house. In the last few weeks he has started "marking" our couch and loveseat in the living room. We don't use that room much and I'm sure he can still smell our last cat's scent all over it. Charlie loved to lay in the sun in that room.
We brought Stanford to the vet -- in case he had a UTI. Of course, they couldn't get any urine -- will be bringing him back. The doctor didn't think it would be a UTI though, because he's also shit on the couch twice.
This is very bad -- the one thing Sid and I have always said was that we couldn't have a cat that didn't use a litter box exclusively. If we don't find a way to stop this in the next couple weeks, at best -- we may need to give him up. I've grown quite attached to him and he to me, but I can't have my living room smelling of cat piss!!
Any tricks to try from you cat owners???
thanks,
M
-
Hey Mike,
Has Stanford been neutered? That will generally stop males from spraying.
Joe
-
Hey Mike,
Has Stanford been neutered? That will generally stop males from spraying.
Joe
Yes - he's been neutered.
Right now, I have put a small dish of his food on couch -- under the old, "cat's won't go to the bathroom where they eat" premise. We'll see if that helps. The doc thought it might be worth a try hoping that this will let him know that there is nothing to fear from the couch or any lingering scent from Charlie.
M
-
I suggest you get something that will remove the smell of urine and use it on the couch as well. It will remove the "reminder" of using the couch like a litter box. If he seems fixated on the couch, you could try covering the seating area with aluminum foil, as cat's hate the feel of it.
One other thought, get some quality catnip and sprinkle some on a towel, near the couch, to keep him busy.
Joe
-
Mike? do you and Sid socialize with him in the same or different way?
do you play with him to wear him down a bit?
also, it can help to have 2 litter boxes in different parts of the house
he needs to learn to go into the litter box and not anywhere else
we have 2 cats and both of them have their own litter box
and sleeping area's sometimes they like to sleep with each other
or us.....LOL I hope you can get to the bottom of this marking problem
as getting rid of him may not be the best option, beside he's your pal
I suspect he's trying to get rid of your old cat's smell
Good Luck
HUGS
DEN
-
Had a similar issues with an adopted cat. The vet that I go to (appropriately named "The Cat Doctor"), I've seen for over a decade and she only deals with cats. Nice cats, evil cats, stupid cats - any type of cat.
Her first response was the litter - "you always go back to the litter"!. Not all, but some cats are horribly fussy about their box and any changes can send some over the edge. Sure enough, I tried to be "Green" and got bio-pellets. The cat just groused at it but assumed he would come around. You would THINK I would have realized that if he's not using the box, then he's using something! Changed back and issues resolved! Saved the couch and the corner of the dining room.
Of course, the cat-genie might as well be used as a planter now. It provides free entertainment on the cleaning cycle and that's about it.
Later on, when it happened again, it was due to UTI issues with crystals in his bladder that 'blocked him up'. He decided that he was interested in the couch again. You would know if this were the case - continued licking, lethargy, not eating and finally they just 'lay there'. They look like they ARE spraying or peeing but nothing happens - and in the five times it happened, the couch was the proposed victim each time. It sneaks up on you but in the end it is a sure sign to run .... not walk..... to the vet immediately.
-
Too bad fixing him didn't stop him from spraying. It's possible it will continue no matter what you do. He might stop on his own though. I had a cat for a short while about 2 years ago. She started taking dumps in our bathroom sink. She became an outside cat and had lots of babies.
I know... I didn't handle that correctly.
-
Joe seems to have really great ideas. I was going to suggest covering the furniture with plastic after getting the smell out, to alleviate the scent of the other cat. Aluminum foil sounds very interesting.
I once had a male cat, when I was 16, who was jealous when I started dating my first husband. He started spraying and never stopped. I have had a couple female cats, and have one now, and not one of those sprayed.
I would definitely try anything and everything, and I know you will.
-
Good luck Mike!
No words of wisdom here.
Cats are more complicated than dogs. I grew up with both and could never figure them out. lol.
m.
-
Thanks all for the suggestions.
I'm not sure that he's actually "spraying", as most of the spots have been on the seat cushions -- not the back or arms. It's all quite odd and a new experience for us.
I will call the vet again on Thursday to get him in to have his urine tested -- even if they need to keep him for part of the day. I think that has to be ruled out first.
We haven't changed his litter type -- it's the same type he was using when we adopted, as we didn't want to change anything besides his house and owners -- but we may change the current bag (maybe there was something "funky" about this particular lot of it).
We put a bowl of food in the middle of the couch earlier, then went out. when we came back he had eaten the food and urinated in the far corner. for now, I've just pulled up the cushions. I'll resoak it with the "Nature's Miracle" spray that everyone raves about -- then, perhaps try the aluminum foil thing as an interim until we get his urine tested.
If his urine comes back OK, then we may need to try some drastic. I've been wanting new furniture for that room for a while now and Sid has wanted no part of buying new stuff. Maybe I'll get my way --- ;D. Of course, if he pisses on new furniture........................... :o
He's such a loving and fun guy, otherwise. I can't imagine actually giving him away -- he's such a nervous cat, that I am not sure I could do that to him. Plus, I've never given a pet away -- not sure I could.
At least it's only been on a couch that I am tired of anyway (17 years old).
Thanks again - -and Merry Christmas eve!!
Mike
-
Well, if you get a new couch, maybe you could put the one he urinates on in some room that you don't go into much, then he would still have his favorite pee spot, and you could keep him.
-
Mike, that sounds like a UTI to me (not spraying). Male cats are notoriously prone to it.
Cranberry tablets are a very good remedy (and prophylactic) for cats. One of my male cats kept getting a UTI and the antibiotics the vet gave sold me would work, only for the UTI to come back a few weeks later. I started giving him cranberry instead and it cleared up and stayed cleared up.
I also discovered a brand of cat food that actually has cranberry as one of the ingredients and it is also bladder-health-friendly. Many brands contain too much ash and that clogs males' pipes up, contributing to infections. The brand is James Wellbeloved - but there may be others out there that also have cranberry.
I always knew when Vester had a UTI because he'd start pissing in the bathtub. If it wasn't taken care of, it would quickly go from a dark yellow to obviously having blood in it. Poor kitty!
I've known when other of my cats had UTIs because they will pretty much always start peeing in places that will catch your attention - like a couch. In my experience, cats who are somehow emotionally distressed will pee in more out-of-the-way places.
Try some cranberry tablets asap - you may find you won't need to take him back to the vet. Just like with antibiotics, it can take a day or two for it to really kick in.
-
OK -- so we finally were able to get a urine sample from my BIG Stanford. They were unable to get any with the "normal" needle, because he carries most of his fat tissue around his bladder. Finally gave me some "non-absorbent" cat litter and I was able to collect a sample at home.
He does have crystals -- and a little blood, but no infection. Started him on a special diet. Hopefully this will help -- he hasn't peed on the couch in days now. Of course, I've been spraying it with something that is supposed to repel cats. I'll wait a couple days then stop with the spraying. If the couch remains "pee free" for a couple weeks after that -- I will then go out and buy new furniture.
Ann -- wasn't ignoring your advice -- just wanted to see if he did have crystals, and if so, were they due to acidic (oxalate crystals) or alkaline (struvite crystals) urine (yes, I've done thousands of urinalyses in my day.....). Not sure that cranberry tablets would help with acidic urine. Of course, his pH is high, so they would have been a possibility.
At any rate -- thanks all for your help. This poor little guy has had a tough couple of days and is sleeping in my lap as I type this......
Hugs,
M
-
And that is what I dealt with for over ten years with my cat....crystals and blockage. We switched to Royal Canin for Urinary Tract health and that helped....but the main goal was to get him to drink more water....so in with the canned food went the water. That helped but they still formed about every nine months to a year and back he would go. What finally did him in was when we didn't catch it in time and by the time we made it to the vet he was so stressed out that his heart gave out. So, in my mind, it was manageable. Maybe not in HIS mind...but he wasn't the brightest bulb on the tree, either. When you're pretty you don't have to be particularly smart (talking about cats, people!)
Best of luck!!
-
So glad he's doing better, Mike!
-
Mike sorry to hear about Stanford, Hope he gets well soon. He's lucky to hvae such a caring owner ;)
Meanwhile my cat just annoys me with his pretend pirate reenactments...
(http://i1018.photobucket.com/albums/af308/IwuvPhilly/imagesqtbnANd9GcS_0ehDAq-yipFXX8Sb9_zpsa6496aa6.jpg)
-
I'm glad to hear things seem to be working out, Mike.
It wouldn't hurt to see if you can't find a cat food that includes cranberry. It's not so much the acidity of cranberry that works for bladder problems, it's another ingredient that I can't bring to mind right now (and don't have time to google).
While Vester would always allow me to give him the pills (he trusts me implicitly), my other cats weren't so easily duped treated. I used to have to wrap his mother up in a throw-rug and wear heavy gardening gloves to get a pill down her! The food-route is so much easier - and less dangerous.
-
Those cranberry pills are a winner . My mom endured years of bladder and kidney infections and those cranberry pills stopped it in its tracks .
-
I'm glad to hear things seem to be working out, Mike.
It wouldn't hurt to see if you can't find a cat food that includes cranberry. It's not so much the acidity of cranberry that works for bladder problems, it's another ingredient that I can't bring to mind right now (and don't have time to google).
While Vester would always allow me to give him the pills (he trusts me implicitly), my other cats weren't so easily duped treated. I used to have to wrap his mother up in a throw-rug and wear heavy gardening gloves to get a pill down her! The food-route is so much easier - and less dangerous.
Pill Pockets -- the best invention EVER for pilling a cat. I would have lost my mind without these when my last cat, Charlie, was taking as many pills a day as I was!!
http://www.swansonvitamins.com/greenies-pill-pockets-cats-chicken-1-6-oz-ct?SourceCode=INTL405&CAWELAID=499559913&catargetid=530002460000000567&cadevice=c&mkwid=tajrpZ3o&pcrid=18953397607&cagpspn=pla&gclid=CNzroYiR1rsCFYl9OgodtngAyQ (http://www.swansonvitamins.com/greenies-pill-pockets-cats-chicken-1-6-oz-ct?SourceCode=INTL405&CAWELAID=499559913&catargetid=530002460000000567&cadevice=c&mkwid=tajrpZ3o&pcrid=18953397607&cagpspn=pla&gclid=CNzroYiR1rsCFYl9OgodtngAyQ)
I will look into the cranberry pills too.
M
-
Re Pill pockets for cats.Just shown your post to my sister.She has a 16 yr old cat who keeps pretending to take the pill, hold it in her mouth, then hides it, when my bro in law or anyone apart from my sis tries to give the med.So my sister is googling this right now to see if we can get the pockets here in the Uk
britchickx
-
Pill Pockets -- the best invention EVER for pilling a cat. I would have lost my mind without these when my last cat, Charlie, was taking as many pills a day as I was!!
HA! I tried the same type of product (just different brand) with Phylis (Vester's mum, RIP) and she'd eat it alright, but only the treat went down, the pill always got spat out on the floor. Then she'd look at me with that look cats get in their eyes when you know they're laughing at you. She'd even ask for another! She was one crafty little minx!
Re Pill pockets for cats.Just shown your post to my sister.She has a 16 yr old cat who keeps pretending to take the pill, hold it in her mouth, then hides it, when my bro in law or anyone apart from my sis tries to give the med.So my sister is googling this right now to see if we can get the pockets here in the Uk
britchickx
You posted when I was typing.... I got them in the UK (well, on the Rock) but I can't for the life of me remember what they were called. I want to say "Pill Poppers" but don't hold me to it. Like I said, it was a different brand. I think my vet carried them, or it may have been a pet shop. My memory is playing with me again. (sorry lol)
-
Ok, Greenies are now selling the pil pockets in the Uk through Amazon, so we will order some.Cant stop smiling, just had a pop up for a book about Yoga for cats!!!
britchickx