At My Wit's End...............

[dohertyswissy]

I know I've been MIA for awhile.  To catch everyone up, I .. uh... rather abruptly quit my last job.  Long story extremely short, my boss was a complete jerk who singled me out because I was FEMALE even though I was the only one making my objectives.  He started "measuring" me on things that none of my male coworkers (who were the rest of the team, 4 of us total) were measured on.  I reached my breaking point, went to HIS boss with all the paper documentation and said that my resignation was effective immediately.  That was about 4 weeks ago.  So, all my plans to get the house ready, car ready, etc. for another big paw went out the window. 

While I know that the decision I made was the right one, it has still been hard.  I'm sitting here at 30 years old wondering what in the HECK am I going to do with my life.  I could get another crappy ol' job, but I'd like to figure out what I'd like to do and do that!  Maybe I'd have to go back to school to get it, but it is better than coming home every night crying b/c works sucks THAT BAD.  I am stressed.  Don't know what I'm gonna do next...

...which leads me to my predicament.  I know that this is not a cat board, but I know many of you have cats and dogs, so I'm hoping someone...anyo ne can help me.  I have a 10 year old rescue cat named Tigger.  I've had him since he was 4 weeks old and I found him on the side of the road.  When Ranger came home, he was 8 and was not too pleased, but he managed.

Flash forward to about 6 months ago and Tigger starting having major behavioral issues... meaning peeing and pooping anywhere besides his litter box.  It got so bad when I would leave to go anywhere over a day, that he has to be boarded and I cannot have a pet sitter instead because he WILL NOT go in his litter box.  This morning, I am on the computer job hunting and that little SPAWN OF SATAN is taking a poo right here in front of me!!!  I COULDN'T BELIEVE IT!  So, I tell him "NO!"  Then, I proceed to go get the Nature's Miracle and stuff to clean it up with.  As I'm walking by my bedroom, that little focker is setting up to PEE in the corner of my bedroom.  Well, I LOSE IT.  Yell, NOOOOOOOOO, and then chase him to his litter box, which is CLEAN.  Not ONE DAMN THING IN IT. 

I am getting ready to leave for a friend's bachelorette party tomorrow for the weekend.  I'm the Maid of Honor, so I have to go, but I am not happy about what I am going to find when I get home.  I figured it was really only 2 days, so I'd give it a shot, so I have no arrangements for him to be boarded.

I am at my wit's end with him.  I love him, but I cannot take a 10 year old cat (who by the way is in perfect health, already had the vet check it out) who is crapping and peeing all over the house.

Mom says I should give him to a non-dog, cat-only house because he'd probably be happier.  I told her absolutely not!  He is my baby and I believe that once you have a pet, it is a lifetime commitment (of course there are circumstances to prevent that, but I don't think that this is one of those times).

Any ideas on how to curb the behavior, cause at this rate I'm not sure that both of us are gonna make it out of this sane....

[Winslow 151]

Hi,

Did you change his litter material? Maybe try a different onr or even get a new litter box, something has turned the guy off to using it so start over with new materials.

Pick a room for Tigger put food, water and litter box and toys in the chosen room and close the door for the weekend. Preferably linoleum or wood and you'll just have one room to clean instead of the house. (bathroom may be a good place)

Good Luck!

[kathryn]

I sympathize with the whole work and what to do with your life thing.  I'm right there with you and I'm 36.  Now on to the kitty question.

I have a cat who is close to 16 and she has always been very particular about her litter box.  It has to be clean.  I have 2 boxes for her to use and she will only use certain litter.  I have to keep her separated from the rest of the tribe because they pick on her too badly.  I also change out litter boxes every year or so and then break them down and bleach and clean them every so often.  I also started using the large storage tote boxes you can find at Target instead of a regular litter box.  They have different sizes so if getting in is an issue for an older cat it will be easier. 

I would definitely move Tigger into one easily cleanable room for the weekend.  It will make things much nicer for you and for him too.  Sorry this is so long and hope it helps.

Kat

[Gracie Belle]

I FEEL your pain.  Unfortunately cats are extremely sensitive to their environments and who knows what it is that is triggering your guy to do this.  Since he's had a vet check him out then you can for sure rule out the possibility of him having any medical issues.  So, the next step is to consider completely changing his box if you haven't already.  Try not to get one with a cover.  There is a litter you can use called Cat Attract that helps too.  But that too is a slippery slope as some cats don't like a change in the litter they use.  Avoid a little with deodorizers.  Also, get a second or even a third box and place in another part of the house.  Some cats actually like to use one box for the number 1's and another for the number 2's.  A friend of mine has had experience with this and swears by a product called Feliway which is suppose to help keep your cat calm.  I haven't tried it yet because so far I've managed to keep my pi*$er of a cat comfortable without it but I'm really considering it.  We had in issue this week which was a set back.  He has been very good for about 3 months and then ruined our hideaway sofa mattress.  I'll attach a link to the Feliway product below.  Now, this is the most important and difficult part of this.  Shower him with attention and affection and more play.  I know how hard that can be as you are really frustrated with him but usually if you are a bit more attentive that can make all the difference.  This is too assuming that he's acting out due to whatever it is that's making him uncomfortable.  It honestly can be as simple as adding a new end table to your living room.  Maybe limit the areas of your house he can have access to.  Make the places he released on or around undesirable.  For example, I use a vinyl carpet protector with the little pointy nubs facing upwards for my sofa.  I can't leave the house without placing that on my sofa or he will pee on it. But truly the  best advice I can give is just really pay very close attention to him.  Keep his routine as ROUTINE and consistent as possible.  I wish you much luck.  I truly do know how frustrating this situation is.  Be patient and keep us posted.  Here is the link to the Feliway.  Good luck.
 http://entirelypets.com/feliwayanddap1.html?gclid=CKLMtral-o0CFRIXZAodgz_YKw   

[Nicole]

Hey Heather,
Hon, the job thing and the life thing will work out! Don't worry, girl! You are a rockin' chick and it won't take long for you to get your groove back.

Kitty-ok. You  have to start litter box training all over. You just have to. Put Tigger in the bathroom for the weekend, like everyone said, but keep doing it when you get back until he re-learns how to use the box. Sometimes, I think you just need to re-train.

Also, if you make any changes that anyone suggested, make them ONE AT A TIME. That way you know what the heck works and doesn't work. Don't go changing the box, location and litter all at once. Change one thing, give it some time to evaluate, then try something else.

Another thing, have you been spending less time at home? Sometimes cats will start going in places that they percieve as "un-used" space. And if you aren't home as much, they start to think that there is more un-used space.

Put an extra box somewhere else. I found that I have to have more boxes than cats to keep them using them consistently.

These are just some things that I've found. Also, if Ranger is um, snacking at the litter box, it might intimidate Tigger. I know when Bo was doing that, I had to start keeping him crated (well, for so many reasons, eating the couch among them) so that the cats would keep using the box.

Good luck, hon. If I come up with anything else, I'll post more. I've spent a LOT of time dealing with this issue, so I'll keep trying to remember what solved it for me.

Of course, the first thing you want to do is get Tigger to the vet to make sure he's healthy. Duh.I should have mentioned that first.

[dohertyswissy]

Thank you SOOO much guys for all your ideas, support, and love for me and my little meow!   

Melissa - He is fixed.  I feel your pain about the laundry basket.  Anytime I leave that thing on the floor, Tigger sees it as a prime potty location.   

Kat - I didn't even think about the litter boxes breaking down and him needing a new one.  Duh on that one for me.

GracieBelle - Girl, I didn't even think about change in environment.  I got new furniture in March, including a new (and most fabulous) purple couch.  I got a special throw for Tigger and have been training him to stay on the throw or my lap, but nowhere else on the couch.  I'm pretty sure he's totally cranky about that.  Never crossed my mind that that could be a possibility.

Nicole - Already took him to the vet and he got a stellar bill of health.  In fact, the vet said he was in "super" condition for a cat of his age.  Dang, I'm a good Mama!  lol!     Anyway, I'm at home all the time now because of the ol' lack-of-job thing, so maybe he's getting overkill of moi? 

Jenn/Winslow - Glad to hear that retraining can stick.  I think little Mr. Tigger Meow will be spending some QT in the el bano this weekend.

Julie - Thanks for all the ideas - I will be trying them.   

So.. IN CONCLUSION... to stop the Tigger Meow Bathroom Tour of '07 -

I'm gonna buy him a new litter box and put him in the bathroom for the weekend.  Fingers crossed that this puts us on the right path.  Oh - and we've made up.  I loved on Tigger, gave him a treat, and told him that we would figure out what would work best for him.  Jeez - I'm a pushover!   

[zchic]

Our cat Beuford was given to us by my mother-in-law. He wa peeing and pooping all over her house.I did the bathroom thing as soon as he came here...for about 2 weeks. Then I started leaving the door open while we were home/awake. Still locking him in at night etc. Then he was allowed out all the time. I have 2 other litter boxes in the house for the other cats and as soon as he started using them, I moved the one out of the bathroom into the laundry room. I haven't had a problem with him at all.

[2Criminals]

So...I used to live with a roomate who had two Rotties who were not cat friendly. If the dogs were out the cats were in my room and vice versa. My little demon cat (Tierarzt) would tear up the carpet just by the door and since we were renting it was really bad news. So....we crate trained her!! She had a large puppy sized crate with her bed and toys and food. The carpet stayed safe. A dog crate is definately big enough for your kitty, a kitty bed, toys and a small litter pan. It will definately keep your house safe and you may find that Tigger likes it and it is a safe place away from Ranger.

[dohertyswissy]

Thank you so much to ALL of you for all your great advice, not only about Tigger, but also about me not TOTALLY freaking out about my career crisis. 

I am happy to report that I got Tigger a brand spanking new litter box and since then, we have had no accidents.  I have my fingers crossed that this will work.  Also, since I am at home, I've got more time to work with him on leaving Tigger alone.  I noticed one day that Ranger followed Tigger right into the room where his litter box is located.  Luckily, I was right there, corrected Ranger, and Tigger was allowed to pee in peace, which really, isn't that what we all want??     Who knows how many times the big guy has done that in the past.  So, fingers crossed that we've made a turn for the best.

Now onto how to get the smell out of the closet that the meow liked to pee in??

[angel101798]

I'm sorry I missed this when you first posted.  My friend is having the same exact problem only her kitty is much younger, about a year old I think.  I'm forwarding all the great advice everyone posted to her.  I've been lucky that Calisto is such a good kitty over her litter box, but we did have a problem with one of my other cats.  He was a rescue from a multi-cat home and we had to rehome him because he was having seperation anxiety.  Our vet told us to get another cat (loved that idea), but our landlord told us to find a new place to live (didn't like that so much).  He's much happier now, still get updates from time to time.  To get rid of the smell, try sprinkling the area with baking soda pet odor and let it sit for about 15mins.  Then vaccuum it up, that should take care of it.
Anywho... I know exactly how you feel about your job.  It will all work out.  I did the same thing in Feb.  I'm 29 with two little ones and can't afford to just quit, but my job was making my family miserable too.  Things happen for a reason, now I work from home and make better money.  Hang in there, we're pulling for you!

[RMSChloe]

hahaha, thats funny (well not for tigger) that ranger followed him to the potty, i have the opposite problem with my two. chloe will be in the yard trying to pee or poo, and toast will come over and start rubbing against her and chloe gets so upset she stops and tries to move away to pee. i feel bad, but its sort of funny that my cat likes her that much. but chloe is VERY private about doing her business. she wont go if you have her on a leash, or if youre too close to her... and she wont go infront of other dogs. one time we had her at my inlaws house with a few dogs in the backyard, and she got up (mind you she never does this) and walked into the front yard, i followed her, and she was doing her stuff. she just didnt want the other dogs around! when she was done, she came right back. it was cute. im glad to hear the potty problem is solved!!! (for now) hehe

[dohertyswissy]

ARGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Here we go AGAIN!!!!  I woke up this morning and went to put my coffee on and noticed the cabinet door underneath the kitchen sink was open.  I thought it was very strange and also worried me a bit, as that is where I keep dishwashing detergent and kitchen cleanser.  As I leaned down to close it, thinking I must have left it open last night after starting the dishwasher, I smelled it.  That horrible, HORRIFIC smell... CAT POOP!!!  The little hellion managed to open the door and take a nice big crap in the corner of the cabinet under the sink.  Now that I have managed to bang the crap out of my knee, elbow, and forehead cleaning it up, I am going to SCREAM.

I think at this point, I have to retrain him to the litter box.  The thing is, Tigger never really had to be trained.  He had an older brother at the time who showed him the ropes.

So..where do I start??  Is he locked in a room with a litter box and his bowls 24/7?  Or just when I leave??

HELP!!!

I'm gonna take hostages.....

[Ali]

Aw man...did you try the crate thing? When I foster cats and kittens, they are always crated to keep them separate from my resident crew. I let them out when I can watch them (supervised play!) then back in they go. Maybe with your kitty, you can crate him at night and when you go out, until he gets better. He'll probably not be too thrilled, so you may want to pick up some earplugs when you're out getting the crate...

[dohertyswissy]

Aw man...did you try the crate thing? When I foster cats and kittens, they are always crated to keep them separate from my resident crew. I let them out when I can watch them (supervised play!) then back in they go. Maybe with your kitty, you can crate him at night and when you go out, until he gets better. He'll probably not be too thrilled, so you may want to pick up some earplugs when you're out getting the crate...

I actually haven't ever crated him, except when traveling.  It is worth a shot I suppose.  The only thing that is even a slight concern is that he is 10 years old and I wonder if he would just rebel against it...

[Gracie Belle]

Awww CRAP!  Okay here is a site I went to and got a lot of good information from when my pi$ser, oh I mean my cat was doing his thing.  I really, really REALLY hope you can get to the bottom of this and fast.  I totally feel for you.  Hang in there and be patient. 
http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Pointe/9352/litterboxhelp.html

Keep us posted.