i dont know what to do

**ashleycat** · 03-27-2005, 01:08 PM

ashley is 7 years old.. since we moved in to our house, over a year ago. she has been peein on the floor, purposely walking PAST the litter box.. sometimes she pooped, she has a litter box in 2 corners opposite of the house.. the vet did a urine test, said she was fine, OK, now its a behavioral problem.. i had my baby 5 months ago.. what is going on now? how do i get her to stop?

**MULTICATMOM** · 03-27-2005, 01:21 PM

EVERY SINGLE TIME IT HAPPENS, SQUIRT HER. IF YOU DON'T CATCH HER IN THE ACT, CARRY HER TO IT, SQUIRT HER, THEN PLACE HER IN THE LITTER. SHE'LL GET THE MESSAGE

HOPEFULLY, YOU'LL CATCH HER IN THE ACT!! SOMETIMES YA HAVE TO HAVE MORE 'TUDE THAN THE CAT!! GOOD LUCK!!

**kimlovescats** · 03-27-2005, 01:27 PM

I'd say she is trying hard to compete for some attention. Trust me, I know how much time a 5 month old takes, I practically am raising my 5 month old grandbaby. But just really try extra hard to find time each day for some one-on-one time with just the kitty too! I think that along with MCM's great water bottle idea, will work!

GOOD LUCK!

Kim

**ashleycat** · 03-27-2005, 01:40 PM

she dont get any less attention, this started before baby srrived, lol.. it started when we moved in to house. not apartment anymore. i never see her do it, since i put a box there and saw stuff in it, i thought she wasnt doin it anymore, till the place kept smelling bad, and i thought was paint on floor cus hubby painted with orange paint. till i sniffed it and was pee. 3 feet from box

**Cataholic** · 03-27-2005, 02:27 PM

I noticed that you said it started before your baby was here. So, my guess is it is the house. You first need to make triple sure there isn't any lingering odor in the spot she is urinating in. Is it just ONE spot? If so, scrub it good with some special product for the treatment of cat urine. NOT just soap and water. Then, I would place the litter box smack dab on that spot, EVEN if it is in the middle of the floor. This is just for training purposes. Keep it there for one month. Don't move it before that. AND, keep it very clean. Make sure she likes the type of litter you use, and I wouldn't switch litter brands, either.

After one month, move it 6 inches towards where you want it to evenutally be. Leave it there for one week. Then, the next week, move it one foot closer to where you want it to be. The next week, another couple of feet, and so on.

My guess is she kind of freaked out, and became insecure when you moved. AND then, there was the addition of the baby, which is further stress in the household.

And, keep in mind- just because there wasn't a physical problem back when you took her to the vets doesn't mean there isn't one now.

**catmandu** · 03-27-2005, 05:44 PM

Put some Odor Remover,there,you can get it from the Vets,then try,the water bottle.And put something aborbent around the box,as it will stain,the floors.I still have a few dark spots,on the wood floor,from Dog Urine,from the previous owner.

**ashleycat** · 03-28-2005, 07:16 AM

oh, i forgot to add, she claws A LOT MORE too, whats that mean? is she unhappy ? she dont get any less attention.

**catnapper** · 03-28-2005, 07:31 AM

Even if she doesn't get any less attention, she might feel she NEEDS more. She probably does feel left out and intimidated by the baby. Imagine yourself and how you feel in life -- say your best friend suddenly got another best friend. You like the new friend ok, and your best friend still calls and sees you as much as before, yet you still feel left out and lost. You then want MORE attention from your friend just so you feel secure knowing your friend isn't going to forget you and focus on the new friend. Does that make sense?

Try trimming Ashley's nails more often. As a rule the shorter the nail = the less they claw. But she could be clawing out of boredom.

**ashleycat** · 03-28-2005, 11:36 AM

i think it is boredom, she still does it after i cut. she has things to scratch, but she still scratches other things, ive givin up 2 suitcases she likes to scratch, but still will even right next to her things, like 2 suitcases and her post arent enough. since we moved into a house shes been this way, like now she has this room, shes a kitten again.plus, now that she goes outside, i think shes an outdoor kitty now, lol but now shes pillin fur off her hind paws. is this normal? i looked at them, they look ok.

**greendoor678** · 03-28-2005, 12:22 PM

If the topical cleansers don't curb the kitty from trying to urinate there, you may need to clean deeper.
Wetness that has settled into the carpet may have soaked through to the padding and even permeate the foundation/flooring beneath.

I think kitty was disturbed when she had to move and either kitty tried to mark her territory or was just upset about the stress of moving.

If the other recommendations don't help with kitty's behavior modification I would investigate a professional who can DEEP clean all of the above mentioned surfaces then perhaps put down some plastic sheeting to prevent urine/feces from getting on the carpet again.

GOOD LUCK!