My cat woes

[jaykellogg]

My Maine Coon cat Calhoun recently started urinating outside the litter pan. Specifically, he urinated on the leather couch or the leather recliner in my living room. I took him to the vet and they gave him an antibiotic shot and some drops for me to give him. It cost me $73 at the vet. A week later he was still at it, so I called the vet and took him back. This time they told me that apparently he was feeling stressed. Recently I was away from home for a week, home for a week and gone for a week again. I had someone check on the cat while I was gone. At my vet's suggestion I bought some "calming spray" and urine odor eliminator. Since I had him at the vet he has only reoffended once. I no longer have to shut him up in the bathroom. That calming spray really works!. I spray a small burst first thing when I get up. So far with the vet and the pet store I have $105 in this problem.

 

[Fishslayer]

Are they road trips? Don't suppose there's any chance you could take the cat with you in a crate? I love being on the road with just my dog. I think it's probably some kind of primal roaming thing for both of us.

I assume your vet checked for a urinary tract infection? Cats get those.

Hope things work out for you & kitteh.

 

[jaykellogg]

Calhoun is the world's worst traveller. In the past I took him to Hendersonville, NC (26 miles) to Mom and Dad's place and he cries the whole time he is in the car.

His bladder is normal (small) and he is passing urine just fine.

 

[the ringo kid]

My Maine Coon cat Calhoun recently started urinating outside the litter pan. Specifically, he urinated on the leather couch or the leather recliner in my living room. I took him to the vet and they gave him an antibiotic shot and some drops for me to give him. It cost me $73 at the vet. A week later he was still at it, so I called the vet and took him back. This time they told me that apparently he was feeling stressed. Recently I was away from home for a week, home for a week and gone for a week again. I had someone check on the cat while I was gone. At my vet's suggestion I bought some "calming spray" and urine odor eliminator. Since I had him at the vet he has only reoffended once. I no longer have to shut him up in the bathroom. That calming spray really works!. I spray a small burst first thing when I get up. So far with the vet and the pet store I have $105 in this problem.

Shasta gets stressed some when im gone all day. However, she is good when soon as I sit down, she leaps into my lap for a few hrs of deep sleep. Yours will do the same, just play with the cat a bit more and such. You will see what I mean.

 

[the ringo kid]

Calhoun is the world's worst traveller. In the past I took him to Hendersonville, NC (26 miles) to Mom and Dad's place and he cries the whole time he is in the car.

His bladder is normal (small) and he is passing urine just fine.

Shasta does the same and this reminds me that I owe you a call.

 

[woodsltc]

I haven't heard of this "calming spray" before....what is it? And will it work on wives??? My wife can really get upset/mad at me sometimes and some "calming spray" would sure make life easier!!

Don

 

[UncaGrunny]

Sadly, the wife version is made from crystallized carbon.

 

[woodsltc]

Sadly, the wife version is made from crystallized carbon.

Well, that shoots down the "calming spray" idea.....that crystallized carbon is waaaay too expensive.

Don

 

[S&W45Colt]

Maine Coons are terrible travelers. We had the Vet prescribe some tranquilizers for ours. It mellowed him out and he slept most of the time as we traveled. After having done this a few times and having gotten used to traveling, he travels fine now. He cries a little bit for about 5 minutes, after that he's calm and sleeps. Just be sure they can see you and talk to them if they get nervous. Maine Coons are almost like a dog, in that they feed off of your moods and need reassurance everything is OK from you.

 

[truckemup97]

I have an ancient Turkish Angora that does similar things. The vet says it's because he's old. In fact, every time I take him in, she's surprised he's still alive. I'll have to look into the calming spray. Is there a brand?

 

[GaryS]

One of our cats started doing the same thing. In his case we just bought another litter box and put it in a room he liked. It's a bit more complex than that and involves me retiring and changing when I was home and when I was out. He's pretty introverted and won't come downstairs to use the litter box when I'm in my home office. Yeah, kind of weird.

We were using Feliway for one of our other cats because she was stressed when my daughter moved back in and brought her cat. I don't know if it worked, but they all seem to get along now.

Cats can be finicky when it comes to sharing litter boxes, although it seems like you only have the one.

The most common problems causing inappropriate urination are stress and UTIs. In your guys case it sounds like stress. Have you considered getting another cat to keep him company? Of course that has it's perils as well.

 

[Double-O-Dave]

You didn't mention how old your cat is, but it wouldn't hurt him, and it may help your situation if you switch him to a specially formulated "urinary diet" type of cat food. We use the Science Diet formula for my cat, and it stopped the peeing outside of the litter box problem. Also, make sure he has lots of clean, fresh water (we change our cat's water at least 5-6 times a day).

Best of luck,

Dave

 

[jaykellogg]

I'll have to look into the calming spray. Is there a brand?

I was amazed. When I finally found it at the pet store the display was probably 4 feet wide. The stuff I got is Sentry Calming Spray. It has pheromones in it. It cost about $20.

 

[jaykellogg]

Some cats are very finicky about litter, Calhoun is not one of them.

 

[gdnagle]

Get a different brand of litter and a water pistol. When they start to go on something they shouldn't pop them. I have a 17 year old that likes the cheaper litter since she got older.

OK after you hit him with the litter what do you do with the water gun?

I have an ancient Turkish Angora that does similar things. The vet says it's because he's old. In fact, every time I take him in, she's surprised he's still alive. I'll have to look into the calming spray. Is there a brand?

Yea same herewith a Persian. She won't go in the pan if she used it one time. Never did this before she hit 13YO.She's getting senile also ya, feed her and five minuets latter she's whining again for food, forgets she just ate. Funny when she lays on the back of the chair and while she is asleep she has a tendency to fall off. Persian cats are the only one's the little lady isn't allergic to.

 

[gaucho1]

This tread confirms I have many peers who cater to their cats.

True sign of a certain something...not sure what it is...but I like it.


Of course, I cater to my dogs also.....but that's somehow different.

 

[Steve in Vermont]

Must...resist...urge...to...comment. Must...resist...urge...to...comment.

There, that's better.

 

[amazingflapjack]

Our vet tells us that we are the whole world to our inside cats-so separation anxiety is a possibility. We have had two Maine Coon's-they are magnificent!

 

[J. R. WEEMS]

I haven't heard of this "calming spray" before....what is it? And will it work on wives??? My wife can really get upset/mad at me sometimes and some "calming spray" would sure make life easier!!

Don

Hmmm? Make it for dogs??????????????

 

[BLUEDOT37]

Told ya so

Must...resist...urge...to...comment. Must...resist...urge...to...comment.

There, that's better.

See... that calming spray works!