Cat Advice » Cat Behaviour Advice http://www.catadvice.co.uk Expert cat care tips, cat behaviour advice and cat owner guide Fri, 07 May 2010 10:12:18 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 en hourly 1 Litter Box Problems With My Cat http://www.catadvice.co.uk/litter-box-problems-with-my-cat/ http://www.catadvice.co.uk/litter-box-problems-with-my-cat/#comments Mon, 03 Sep 2007 11:06:39 +0000 Pete Meisinger http://www.catadvice.co.uk/litter-box-problems-with-my-cat/ Cat litter box- Q – I have had Musette for five years, and during that time traveled considerably with my job. Musette and I moved to Virginia in June 2002.  I do not travel as much, but must go hom to check on my Mother periodically in North Carolina.  Now when I travel, even though she has a pet sitter, she has started pooping on the rug once a day instead of the litter box (still pees in the litter box).

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

]]> http://www.catadvice.co.uk/litter-box-problems-with-my-cat/feed/ 1 How to Stop My Cat Chewing http://www.catadvice.co.uk/how-to-stop-my-cat-chewing/ http://www.catadvice.co.uk/how-to-stop-my-cat-chewing/#comments Mon, 03 Sep 2007 10:59:47 +0000 Pete Meisinger http://www.catadvice.co.uk/how-to-stop-my-cat-chewing/ - Q – My husband and I adopted a cat from a local shelter 8 months ago. For 8 months we have been trying to curb his bad behavior of chewing on cardboard boxes. He has ruined many in our basement. We have no other room in the house for the litter box, other than the basement, so we cannot keep him out of there. What can we do to stop this behavior? We have tried all of the traditional means we can think of, and my husband is really losing patience with him!
Danielle,

- 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.

]]> http://www.catadvice.co.uk/how-to-stop-my-cat-chewing/feed/ 1 Why Does My Cat Lick? http://www.catadvice.co.uk/why-does-my-cat-lick/ http://www.catadvice.co.uk/why-does-my-cat-lick/#comments Thu, 23 Aug 2007 15:48:52 +0000 Pete Meisinger http://www.catadvice.co.uk/why-does-my-cat-lick/ - Q – I adopted a domestic shorthair kitten about a year ago that had been abandoned near my sister’s house. She’s now a healthy, happy adult neutered cat, with a bit of a weight problem. We recently changed her diet to Science Diet Feline Maintenance Light, and she’s slimming down nicely already.

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

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