Archive through October 17, 2002
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TV ClubHouse: Archives: Cats (ARCHIVE): Archive through October 17, 2002

Scootersmom

Friday, October 11, 2002 - 08:34 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Morning Aunt_Bob! I thought about suggesting that Twinkie contact you because I remember you saying you would be happy to help with pics...

Can't wait to see Angel and Squirt!

Twinkie

Friday, October 11, 2002 - 03:17 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Thanks so much Aunt_Bob! Its on the way!

Gadzooks

Monday, October 14, 2002 - 11:20 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
I've adopted a little stray kitten and it turns out to be a female. I would like to have her fixed. Can someone tell me how much such an operation will cost me? Also, what will the vet do to her? How long is the operation, etc?

I live in Canada so I'm sure the pricing will be different. Any Canadians out there are welcome to answer. I don't want to spend a fortune.

Twinkie

Tuesday, October 15, 2002 - 04:09 am EditMoveDeleteIP
I have a problem that i hope someone out there knows how to solve it. My youngest cat, Squirt(named that cause he is small but whose name now takes on a whole new meaning) had recently started peeing everywhere but his litter box. He just started this a few months ago. He does #2 in the litter box but not pee. We keep the litter box clean but it makes no difference. I don't know why this behavior started but I'm not going to stand for it. So far he hasn't peed on any carpet so it hasn't been too hard to clean up. But it has to stop. I'm at my wits end and need to know how to stop him from doing this. Any ideas or suggestions?? BTW he's a little over a year old and very healthy and rambuctious. HELP!!

Curiouscat

Tuesday, October 15, 2002 - 04:26 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Twinkie, I'd suggest having him checked by the vet. It's very unusual for a cat to go outside the litterbox unless he's not well. By chance, have you changed litter brands recently?

Gadzooks, I've always had boy kitties so getting them fixed was a less expensive and simple procedure in comparison to spaying girl kittens. Just call your vet to find out the cost, but if you want to as well, call the local Humane Society to see if they know of any spay/neuter clinic in your area that have the operations at a reduced fee.

Twinkie

Tuesday, October 15, 2002 - 04:44 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Curiouscat, I don't remember if we have switched litter since he started doing this but i will certainly try a different litter. But i don't understand why he will use the litter box for #2 but not #1. I have to take him in for booster shots soon so will talk to the vet about it then.

Sia

Tuesday, October 15, 2002 - 04:53 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Twinkie, when I lived in the city, the vet we saw there prescribed "Ova-ban" (a mood-altering drug, as he described it) to calm my kitties down when they exhibited the bad-litterbox-etiquette behavior you describe. He also gave me Ova-ban pills for the same two (spayed female adult) cats when they began fighting one another after being BADLY spooked by a tomcat who appeared at our patio screen door one day. They freaked OUT over that! clawingcatSeveral days of this medication seemed to straighten them out and make them pleasant again.

I use plastic liners in the litterbox, but over time, the plastic can become scratched. I've replaced the litterbox (I prefer the covered one, but if that is something you've changed lately--going from an open box to a covered one, that is--that can put the cat off.

If there is a cat-pee-odor on the floor near the box, can you relocate the litterbox? This makes the litterbox the new target and your cat won't smell his old spot, which would make it tempting to him to wet again.

My best advice: NEUTER THE CAT, if he isn't already altered. I've always heard that a tomcat should be neutered very young before he ever starts the spraying behavior, and that will make it far less likely that he will urinate where he's not supposed to do so. Good luck! silver

Twinkie

Tuesday, October 15, 2002 - 05:13 am EditMoveDeleteIP
He was neutered by the ASPCA before we got him at 2 months old. We have never changed the litterbox from the one we got for our 2.5 year old girl that we have had since we got her at 2 weeks old. So he has always had the same litterbox. They both have. And its always been in the same place. He doesn't pee on the floor anywhere near the littebox. Not even in the same room.

Greenwave

Tuesday, October 15, 2002 - 09:30 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Twinkie! I am having the same problem with one of my babies and it is making me crazy! I have four cats and three litter boxes. Two boxes have crystals and one has clumping litter. I have made no changes to the litter or boxes in over a year, and I clean the boxes religiously, yet over the last month one of my cats has started urinating outside of the box. She is just under two years old, neutered, and quite healthy otherwise. I was told that it could be a medical issue, so I am going to make an appointment with the vet. In the meantime, since she only urinates in one of two places when she doesn't use the box, I have put aluminum foil on the floor in those spots. It hasn't solved the problem completely, but it has helped. Good luck!

Curiouscat

Tuesday, October 15, 2002 - 01:22 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Twinkie, I mentioned the litter because a recent change may put off a cat from using it. Something as simple as buying scented litter if kitty is not used to the perfumed smell may turn him off. But my gut feeling is telling me it's not this, especially if he will #2 in the box. I am surprised he was neutered at only two months of age - I've not heard of them doing it that young before. Do mention to the vet about the age he was neutered.

Other questions your vet may ask when you bring him in are: Does he appear to have to urinate urgently/have discomfort/is straining to go? What is the frequency of his urination/amount of urine each time? Is he drinking more frequently? What kind of cat food does he eat/has there been a change in diet?

If kitty does #2 before he goes to the vet, might as well baggie it and take it with you to save yourself the trip of delivering a sample later on. I don't want to alarm you but getting him looked at as soon as you can is wise.

Twinkie and Greenwave, please keep us posted on how things go, okay. Good luck with both of your babies.

Sia

Tuesday, October 15, 2002 - 02:22 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Having a cat pee outside the box is one of the most aggravating problems you can have as a cat-owner. The others are wise in suggesting that your kitties might have a kidney or bladder infection. This is sometimes a cat's way of drawing our attention to the fact that a health problem exists. The aluminum foil is a good suggestion, too; I've read that if you crinkle it slightly so it will make a crackly sound when the cat steps on it, it's effective--the cat apparently doesn't like the noise. Hope you figure out what's wrong.

When cleaning up cat odors, don't clean with bleach, as it makes a chemical reaction with the ammonia in the cat urine, and the fumes can just overwhelm you and make you faint, especially in an enclosed space. White vinegar can help to cut the smell, if you're scrubbing with a bucket of hot sudsy water and vinegar. When the carpet is dry, baking soda sprinkled on it seems to absorb some of the odor. Honestly, nothing really removes the smell entirely. Febreze can help, air fresheners can help mask the odor, but that nasty cat-pee smell really hangs on for a long, long time. I've tried sprays that are available at the vet's office, too, but nothing really totally removes the odor.

Lobster

Tuesday, October 15, 2002 - 05:32 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Twinkie, I can't really add too much to what Curiouscat and Sia have said, except one question. Is he peeing near a window? Cats spray to mark their territory. If he sees another cat near the house, he may be peeing to mark his territory. Even a neutered cat will sometimes do this. I'd definitely speak to your vet, though. It could be so many things.

Twinkie

Tuesday, October 15, 2002 - 06:12 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Thanks so much for all of the suggestions. He usually pees in the living room on the parquet floor but the other night i caught him peeing in the kitchen sink!!! I really threw a fit over that!!! He's not peeing near a window. He has no problem peeing and eats and drinks normally. I guess a trip to the vet is in order. <sigh>

Lobster

Tuesday, October 15, 2002 - 06:35 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
In the kitchen sink!?!?!? OMG!

I just thought of something--I heard of a cat who had something wrong with his paw pads, and wouldn't pee in the box, cuz trying to cover I guess irritated his paws. Maybe the combination of urine and the litter is why he won't use the box for that, but will still poop in it. Either way, you'll still have to go to the vet. Good luck, Twinkie, and Squirt. Keep us posted.

Sia

Tuesday, October 15, 2002 - 06:55 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
My cat peed in the bathtub for a while. I was so appreciative that it was a place that was easy to clean! Whenever she's about to yakk up a hairball, I scoop her up and FLY to the bathtub--porcelain, easy to clean. Call me lazy, but I hate to scrub cat-yuk out of the carpet!

Curiouscat

Wednesday, October 16, 2002 - 04:13 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Since we're on the subject of litter and such, what kind of kitty litter do you use? There are so many different kinds out now.

I, myself, am happy I tried the new silica gel litter ... lately I've bought the crystal form which doesn't track as much as the round ball one. My one cat has very low tolerance of clumping litter because even if it is "no dust" he seems to dig to China and gets powder on his paws/face. I've tried everything under the sun - you name it, I've bought it. There's recycled newspaper, corncob, pine pellets ... I'm sure I've forgotten another. The silica by far does the best in keeping away the cat urine smell and lasts a long time. I just need to find a pooper scooper that allows these crystals to go through the sieve now.

Greenwave

Wednesday, October 16, 2002 - 06:37 am EditMoveDeleteIP
I really like the crystals best, too. I agree that it doesn't track as much and holds the odor better than other types of litter. Unfortunately, one of my kitties does not like crystals, so I keep clumping litter in one box. My favorite brand of litter is Fresh Step. It seems to clump best, and you can collect points to redeem for free stuff! I also use Arm & Hammer litter deodorizer to help control the odor.

Mystery

Wednesday, October 16, 2002 - 09:29 am EditMoveDeleteIP
We use the clumping stuff to keep track of how our cat's kidneys are doing. Since he's been on steroids (almost three years now) he doesn't bury anything--- apparently the steroids make him think he's the alpha cat at our house, and he's too GOOD to bury anything! Luckily he's our only cat.

Twinkie

Wednesday, October 16, 2002 - 04:20 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Hi guys! We've been using pine pellets for about 9 months now because its more "natural" than the others so i don't think its the litter because Squirt only started doing this about 5 or 6 months ago. In the last couple of days i haven't noticed him peeing anywhere in the house. At least not that i know of! I've started leaving a few things in the kitchen sink because he only goes in it when its clean and it was only the one time (I think) that he did that. He's quite an inquisitive and energetic little boy. He also has a thing for water. Turn on the water in a sink or bathtub and he's right there. And trust me they get fresh water in their bowl every day. He likes to play with the water using his paws to splash it. Put a glass of water anywhere he can get to it and it gets tipped over. DH brought home roses for our anniversary and i had to put the vase way up high. When i 1st put it on my desk so i could enjoy them he went straight for it. Yes, he's a nut job but i love him dearly even tho there are times I'd like to kill him! LOL

Aunt_Bob

Wednesday, October 16, 2002 - 04:22 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Here ya'go Twinkz ...

cataug27.3_Tan

Aunt_Bob

Wednesday, October 16, 2002 - 04:27 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Medicating Pet Cats and Dogs

HOW TO GIVE A CAT A PILL:

1. Pick cat up and cradle it in the crook of your left arm as if holding a baby. Position right forefinger and thumb on either side of cat's mouth and gently apply pressure to cheeks while holding pill in right hand. As cat opens mouth, pop pill into mouth. Allow cat to close mouth and swallow.


2. Retrieve pill from floor and cat from behind sofa. Cradle cat in left arm and repeat process.


3. Retrieve cat from bedroom, and throw soggy pill away.


4. Take new pill from foil wrap, cradle cat in left arm holding rear paws tightly with left hand. Force jaws open and push pill to back of mouth with right forefinger. Hold mouth shut for a count of ten.


5. Retrieve pill from goldfish bowl and cat from top of wardrobe. Call spouse from yard.


6. Kneel on floor with cat wedged firmly between knees, hold front and rear paws. Ignore low growls emitted by cat. Get spouse to hold head firmly with one hand while forcing wooden ruler into mouth. Drop pill down ruler and rub cat's throat vigorously.


7. Retrieve cat from curtain rail, get another pill from foil wrap. Make note to buy new ruler and repair curtains. Carefully sweep shattered
figurines and vases from hearth and set to one side for gluing later.


8. Wrap cat in large towel and get spouse to lie on cat with head just visible from below armpit. Put pill in end of drinking straw, force mouth
open with pencil and blow down drinking straw.


9. Check label to make sure pill not harmful to humans, drink 1 beer to take taste away. Apply Band-Aid to spouse's forearm and remove blood from carpet with cold water and soap.


10. Retrieve cat from neighbor's shed. Get another pill. Open another beer. Place cat in cupboard and close door onto neck to leave head showing. Force mouth open with desert spoon. Flick pill down throat with rubber band.


11. Fetch screwdriver from garage and put cupboard door back on hinges. Drink beer. Fetch bottle of scotch. Pour shot, drink. Apply cold compress to cheek and check records for date of last tetanus shot. Apply whiskey compress to cheek to disinfect. Toss back another shot. Throw tee-shirt away and fetch new one from bedroom.


12. Call fire department to retrieve the stinkin' cat from tree across the road. Apologize to neighbor who crashed into fence while swerving to avoid cat. Take last pill from foil-wrap.


13. Tie the front paws to rear paws with twine and bind tightly to leg of dining room table, find heavy duty pruning gloves from shed. Push pill into mouth followed by large piece of steak. Be rough about it. Hold head vertically and pour 2 pints of water down throat to wash pill down.


14. Consume remainder of Scotch. Get spouse to drive you to emergency room, sit quietly while doctor stitches fingers and forearm and removes pill remnants from right eye. Call furniture shop on way home to order new table.


15. Arrange for Humane Society to collect demon cat and call local pet shop to see if they have any hamsters.


HOW TO GIVE A DOG A PILL:

1. Wrap it in bacon.

Grooch

Wednesday, October 16, 2002 - 05:41 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Twinkie, I really think you should take him to the vet as soon as possible to make sure he doesn't have a urinary tract infection or bladder or kidney stones, or any other type of serious problems.

This is not normal behavior and this might be the only way how he can tell you about it.

Twinkie

Wednesday, October 16, 2002 - 05:57 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Aunt_Bob! Thank you, Thank you, Thank you for showing my babies! Now you can all see Squirt ( whose name took on a whole new meaning lately)! Angel has never been a problem child. She's the regal princess and can't be bothered with any nonsense. They are sooooo different. She is Daddy's girl and he is Mommy's boy. Their choice, not our's. He's a nutjob....bonafide.

Aunt_Bob, you are a doll!!! Check your folder.

Sia

Wednesday, October 16, 2002 - 10:08 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Here's another gem, Aunt_Bob:

Diary of a Cat:

DAY 752 - My captors continue to taunt me with bizarre little
dangling objects. They dine lavishly on fresh meat, while I am
forced to eat dry cereal. The only thing that keeps me going is the
hope of escape, and the mild satisfaction I get from ruining the
occasional piece of furniture. Tomorrow I may eat another houseplant.

DAY 761 - Today my attempt to kill my captors by weaving around their
feet while they were walking almost succeeded, must try this at the
top of the stairs. In an attempt to disgust and repulse these vile
oppressors, I once again induced myself to vomit on their favorite
chair...must try this on their bed.

DAY 762 - Slept all day so that I could annoy my captors with sleep
depriving, incessant pleas for food at ungodly hours of the night.

DAY 765 - Decapitated a mouse and brought them the headless body, in
attempt to make them aware of what I am capable of, and to try to
strike fear into their hearts. They only cooed and condescended about
what a good little cat I was ...Hmmm. Not working according to plan
.....

DAY 768 - I am finally aware of how sadistic they are. For no good
reason I was chosen for the water torture. This time however it
included a burning foamy chemical called "shampoo." What sick minds
could invent such a liquid. My only consolation is the piece of
thumb still stuck between my teeth.

DAY 771 - There was some sort of gathering of their accomplices. I
was placed in solitary throughout the event. However, I could hear
the noise and smell the foul odor of the glass tubes they call
"beer." More importantly I overheard that my confinement was due to
MY power of "allergies." Must learn what this is and how to use it to
my advantage.

DAY 774 - I am convinced the other captives are flunkies and maybe
snitches. The dog is routinely released and seems more than happy to
return. He is obviously a half-wit. The Bird on the other hand has
got to be an informant. He has mastered their frightful tongue
something akin to mole speak) and speaks with them regularly. I am
certain he reports my every move. Due to his current placement in
the metal room his safety is assured. But I can wait, it is only a
matter of time.

Itsallgood

Thursday, October 17, 2002 - 04:28 am EditMoveDeleteIP
#400 LOL