Since my last weekend trip, she has started pooping on the rug once a day even when I am home (usually at night when I am asleep).

Her litter is cleaned every day; she gets plenty of food and drinks plenty of water; she get s a great deal of play time. I need some advice on how to stop this new bad habit, or some advice as to why she is doing this.  If it was just when I am out of town, I would say it is because she does not like to be left alone at night; but now that it is happening when I am in the house, I am at a loss.Please help me to help her — she is a very sweet, very playful cat.
Paula J. Garber, Sterling, Virginia

 - A - Paula,  Has she had any type of surgery or have you changed the type of litter you are using? I would:

1. Make sure the spot she is using on the rug is completely clean and deodorized to remove her scent from the area (they sell these products at Petsmart)
2. Put her in a Tokyo cage with food, water and a litterbox for 3 or 4 days to retrain her, or confine her to a smaller room such as a bathroom for the same reason. Let her out to play with you but put her up when you go to work or at night for those few days.
3. Try a different litter; if you are using clay try clumping, etc.You need to nip this quickly as the longer she continues the harder it will be to break her of this new habit. Please read the article at the following URL as it deals with litterbox problems.

Although it is aimed at the multi-cat household the methods for correction are the same.  

http://www.cfainc.org/articles/litter-box-problems.html
Hope this helps.   Pete

- A -  You might try spraying the boxes with a hot pepper spray or a cheap cologne/perfume. It will only take a few tastes for him to associate cardboard with a bad experience. I would also look at the food you are feeding; is it a quality food or a bargain brand? He may not be getting the supplements he needs if the food is loaded with fillers such as ground corn rather than meat, vitamins, etc. There are also cat toys with leather laces you could provide to steer his chewing toward a more acceptable manner. All else failing, I would have your Vet take a look at him for his recommendations.

The problem that we’re having is that in the past two months, she has started licking things around the house. Her favorite targets seem to be a fossilized clamshell, a flowerpot coated with some sort of pebbly clay-like coating, and a ceramic tile. She will sit and lick them for several minutes at a time, and if I take them away, she tries to get back at them. Does this sound like OCD, or could she have a vitamin deficiency? Or is it something else entirely? Thank you, Janie

Janie V, Mobile, Alabama, USA

- A – Janie, My guess would be her diet. A Light blend is usually for older pets with different nutritional requirements than a growing young adult. My suggestion would be to consult with your Vet about the diet and start feeding her a blend more suited to her needs.

As for the weight, may I suggest getting a laser pointer? They project a red dot and cats love to chase the dot as you move it around the room.

Not only will this provide exercise for the cat but will reward you with some amusing quality time with her as you enjoy watching her acrobatics in pursuing this elusive “prey.” Our cats love this toy and come running as soon as they hear me pick it up (it’s on a key ring that jingles). Pete

Karl, Toledo, OH

- A – Is he a whole male or has he been neutered? It sounds more like marking than normal peeing. Have you tried caging him with food, water and a litter box as a retraining method? If he is whole, you might try neutering which helps most of the time. You might also want to read the article at:

http://www.cfainc.org/articles/litter-box-problems.html

Throwing him outside will solve your immediate problem, but then you will have your conscience to live with. Have you taken him to a Vet to see if there is a medical reason? Please explore these alternatives before you do anything drastic; after all, if he has been doing it for years what’s another few weeks or months to try and correct the situation?

Raul was a very special, loving kitty, and they had a very close relationship, so we were wondering if we should try to get another kitten for her to play with. …We thing that maybe she needs a playmate, but a friend suggested that she may reject the kitten and only further frustrate her emotional state. Please let us know what we should do! Thanks so much!

Claire Meadows, Austin, TX

- A – Claire, Lupe is probably grieving the loss of her playmate (yes, pets do grieve) but will soon forget Raul as she is so young. Just play with her and enjoy her to get her through this loss and she will soon be fine. As for getting another kitten, I have mixed emotions here.

It is my firm belief that pets enjoy life more, are happier, better socialized and live longer if they have a playmate of the same species to share their life. On the other hand, unless you are willing to keep the kittens inside to prevent another possible tragedy I would say no, do not get another kitten.

It’s not safe, or fair, to subject another kitten to the possibility of a similar fate. If you are not willing to accept that responsibility please do not get another kitten.

 - A -  “Feline immunodeficiency virus is fairly unstable outside the cat and will not survive for more than a few hours in most environments. In addition, transmission of FIV occurs primarily through bites, so a waiting period between cats is not required to prevent FIV infection.

However, FIV–positive cats are frequently infected with other infectious agents which may pose some threat to a newcomer, so precautions should be taken. Thoroughly clean and disinfect or replace food and water dishes, bedding, litter pans and toys. A dilute solution of household bleach (4 oz. bleach in 1 gal. water) makes an excellent disinfectant.

Vacuum carpets and mop floors with an appropriate cleanser. Any new cats or kittens should be properly vaccinated against other infectious agents before entering the household.”

The above was from the Cornell Institute website in an article concerning FIV; the entire article may be read by going to  http://web.vet.cornell.edu/Public/FHC/fiv.html

I know it is always hard to lose a cat that has been a member of your family and our hearts go out to you. I hope you find solace knowing your cat will be in no more pain or suffering from this debilitating disease. Also, understand this is a very sneaky disease, masking it’s symptoms until it is usually too late for treatment. Hope this helps.