Need advice for a cat
I have a neutered male cat whom I have had for more than 4 years named Scooter. He has never been a problem before, but about a week ago, he stopped using the cat box. He is going to the bathroom upstairs in my mom and stepdad's room. Well, after catching the 3rd poop, I put him downstairs in the basement and closed the door so he is locked down there. He has been down there 2 days. I locked Sidra up with him (my other cat, who has been good) because they are used to being together, although, for the first day, Scooter was alone.
But not surprisingly, while he is locked in the basement, he is miraculously using the cat box again but I am hesitant to let him out of the basement for fear of him going back to his old ways. I think he is jealous because of the baby.
Putting a cat box upstairs in my mom and stepdad's room is gross, they don't want a cat box in their room and I don't blame them. And with the design of this house, it is impossible to block the way so he can't get up there. It is actually a loft, not a room. There is no door.
So how do I deal with this issue? I would just put him outside, but it is too cold. And he has never been an outside cat. I even considered taking him to the barn where my mom boards her horse so that he can become a barn cat, but again, he has lived too cushy of a life always an indoor cat. What should I do with him?
Inappropriate soiling is often a sign of anger/jealousy in cats. In some cases, they will urinate or defecate near or on objects belonging to the offending person, or in a place they know it will upset you. A friend of mine had a cat and an oboe (she was a professional oboist). She tended to leave her cat alone all day and not give it much attention when she was there; the cat urinated on her oboe...more than once.
If you are sure Scooter isn't unwell in any way, you might talk to your vet; here in Europe they sell drops to encourage young animals to use the correct place (like Dogzoff only the other way around!). And try to clean the soiled areas as well as poss, with diluted ammonia or vinegar to remove the smell from the place.
Also make sure he gets attention and praise when he does it right.
I agree with Yabbit. My Nelson (RIP) used to get very angry with me when I left on business trips and leave a big pile of poo right in the doorway of my bedroom every time. Closing the door didn't help, he would just poo in front of it. Then he would shun me when I returned to make sure I was aware of his displeasure. My Phantom does a similar thing. The first two times I went on business trips after Phantom was born he peed on my bed, but closing the door does work in his case, he doesn't pee anywhere else. I've never had a female cat behave this way, only males. Sorry I have no advice to offer. I just cleaned up and dealt with it.
I say def. do not put him outside...not int eh barn or the great outdoors...just too dangerous. Maybe you can try to let him out again but if he goes back to soiling, stick him back in the basement. How frustrating!
my cat gets (pardon the pun) pissy when the litterbox is dirty. It's more maintenance to keep it clean, but the house doesn't smell.
To help with cleanliness, I always stick the litterbox inside a large garbage bag, smooth it down and then put the litter in. When it becomes wet, just turn the bag "inside out" so the litter is inside and it's ready to toss. You don't even have to touch it and the box itself doesn't get smelly or require washing.
Personally I have a hard time being sympathetic anymore... you asked for advice and it was given to you, but judging by your newest thread, you didn't do any of the things that were suggested. Why even ask then?
Personally I have a hard time being sympathetic anymore... you asked for advice and it was given to you, but judging by your newest thread, you didn't do any of the things that were suggested. Why even ask then?
As I understand it, the first thread was regarding illness and lacking the means to treat it. This is about the behavioural issue, which I'd say is a different thing. Let's not throw stones.
This is the first thread, dated late November. The other thread is dated today. I don't know if that makes any difference. :-X
The point is, that this has been an issue for a while. A question was asked and several members gave some advice. This same topic also came up on another thread, where I and other members, strongly advised against locking a cat in a cage, as it will only make matters worse. I just don't understand why even ask a question and not try out any of the advice.
Poor little kitty. I wish I could take him. Killing a 4 year old cat because he has a UTI is absolutely ridiculous.
In any case, I won't comment on this anymore. I have drawn my own conclusions on the topic. :-X :-X :-X