To anyone who takes in rescues

[AbbyMom]

My little RB girl Quasar used to prefer the carpeting, presumably because she hated the litter feel on her paws. Eventually we just cut up carpet squares and put them in a separate litter box. Once we did that, she always used the litter box. She loved the feel of her paws on the carpeting while trying to cover it up.

So, old carpeting is a thought.

THe other suggestions about newspapers might work, too. There's a brand called Yesterday's News that might be helpful.

Good luck. He sounds very precious to you.

[ShylanHal]

Why not try paper products? Like... NOT litter. That would be a lot harder to clean, since you'd have to change it every couple of times he went to the bathroom (it's paper, think about it o.O) but it doesn't and wouldn't feel anythign like litter.
Do you think that would work?

[Karen]

If your yard is fenced, perhaps he could safely be an indoor/outdoor kitty? Or even outdoor-and-kitchen-only as now you are in Texas, the weather is milder in the winter than Chicago ever was ... would that work?

[AdoreMyDogs]

If your yard is fenced, perhaps he could safely be an indoor/outdoor kitty? Or even outdoor-and-kitchen-only as now you are in Texas, the weather is milder in the winter than Chicago ever was ... would that work?

Problem is, even though the entire back fence is privacy fenced in, he learned quite some time ago to jump it. He doesn't stay in the yard for long, as I stated before, he 'explores' the neighborhood and makes friends with the neighbor cats. And we have no way to keep him in the kitchen, and becides, I don't want him in there because that's the only room that's carpeted and we don't have enough $$ to get the carpet pulled. We are trying to save up some money to buy baby furniture, so home renovation is not on our list for now.

Minion's never peed on paper. He's only peed on carpet and rugs, and I'm not putting carpet in his litter box. I don't want to smell cat pee and poop throughout my house, and I have no idea how you'd hide the smell from a box of carpet pieces. I also have no idea how you'd clean something like that. For me that's not going to work but I really appreciate the suggestion. Please keep them coming, and please let me know if you know of anyone who takes in 'special needs' cats.

He's spending his first night outside tonight. He usually sleeps plastered next to me in bed becide my head. I'll miss him. I hope he is safe out there and I'm sure I'll be sleeping very little due to worrying about him. I'll let him in in the morning to spend a few hours with me before I have to leave for work.

I appreciate everyone's advice. Please keep the suggestions coming if you have any.

[Catty1]

The outdoor idea...would be like a dog run, only for cats. There are commercial ones available... he could get in and out by means of a cat door into the house. I would think he will pee and poop outside as opposed to inside?

Maybe some people here could post pics of theirs?

Or maybe just check out a dog run with a warm "house" inside it.

I wish the psychic could tell him about the trouble and pain he is causing, and what might happen to him...and tell him to just "suck it up". I mean - so what if he doesn't like the feel of the litter?

Maybe she could ask him WHAT would make him use the box.

Might be worth one more try with the psychic.

If you DO have to rehome him - how about a farm or rural place? They might have to keep him inside for a bit til he socializes, but he would have free roam.

My heart just aches for you. My Oscar plants his purring bod all against my ear in the morning...if I were in your shoes, I don't know what I would do.

PT Prayers headed your way!

hugs!

[shais_mom]

I'm so sorry to hear this Leslie - I know this isn't a decision you take lightly.
I probably wouldn't use the carpet or towels either - but the whole time I was reading this thread I was thinking of the puppy wee wee pads you might be able to layer them rather thickly and then just peel them off after he uses them. I can't imagine being in the position you are in.
Another thought - what about installing a kitty door so he can go outside - and maybe another conversation with Nancy - telling him to use the outside as his potty.
I'm not sure if you have used the Yesterday's news litter or not - I imagine you have or what about buying a paper shredder and letting him pee on your credit card statements!?!? Make your own yesterday's news!

My only other suggestion is teaching him to use the toilet like the cat on "Meet the Parents!" :P

[shais_mom]

My only other suggestion is teaching him to use the toilet like the cat on "Meet the Parents!" :P

http://www.karawynn.net/mishacat/toilet.html
http://www.birdbrainpress.com/
http://www.sniksnak.com/cathealth/toilet.html
http://clhill.com/cats/toilet_training_cats.htm
http://www.museumofhoaxes.com/hoax/w...comments/3632/

[catnapper]

I know you said you've tried other litters, but have your tried Arm & Hammer? Its great for kitties who don't like the feel of regular litter because its very sandlike, with very fine grains of litter. Thats what the rescue recommends to people who have declaw litterbox issues. Have you tried sand? Maybe mix in some baking soda to help hide the odor.

And the wee-wee pads didn't work? If he's declawed he shouldn't be shredding them. They do a good job of soaking up urine so you don't smell it - Nature's Miracle makes one where they have odor protection in it.

As for the carpet, you wouldn't have to clean it. Just toss it after they use it. I can order you a TON of carpet samples and send them to your house (ahhh, the power of being an interior designer! bwahahahaha). Just toss them every day. You can also pick out remants from the dumpster at the local carpet store. They always have large remnants left over from jobs. Often big pieces you can take out as a roll! Just cut it up as needed.

[jenluckenbach]

does Minion go OVER your privacy fence? If so, check this out.
http://www.catfencein.com/
and look through the brocure links, better photos and explainations.

[wolflady]

Gosh, I'm sorry to hear about these problems with Minion. I am in the same boat. Our cat Scooter will pee all over the house if left to his own devices, and it's going on 10 years now!
We tried everything too, and nothing works. I have to agree with it being a declaw issue. Scooter is also declawed, and I really believe his peeing issue is a result of the declaw.

Scooter is my husband's cat, and he just loves that cat to pieces. The only solution we've found that works (most of the time), is to keep Scooter caged during the day when nobody is home to watch him. The cage forces him to use his litter box, and he has shelves to lay on, and his food and water are in there also. Sure, it's an eyesore taking up a huge chunk of our kitchen, but it does give us piece of mind that Scooter isn't peeing all over the house while we're gone.

It's not a very good picture, but you can kind of see Scooter's cage in this picture:


For the longest time, we felt so bad about shutting him in this cage, and I even asked my vet about it. Considering cats sleep 18+ hours a day, the vet said that it's not harming him at all keeping him in there when we can't watch him. Even when we open the cage door to let him out after work, he sometimes just opts to hang out in his cage (just like he is in this picture). It's his safe haven, which is a good thing.

Perhaps this is something you could try? Take it from someone who's had a peeing cat for 10 years!

**hugs**

[buttercup132]

The outdoor idea...would be like a dog run, only for cats. There are commercial ones available... he could get in and out by means of a cat door into the house. I would think he will pee and poop outside as opposed to inside?

Maybe some people here could post pics of theirs?

Or maybe just check out a dog run with a warm "house" inside it.

I wish the psychic could tell him about the trouble and pain he is causing, and what might happen to him...and tell him to just "suck it up". I mean - so what if he doesn't like the feel of the litter?

Maybe she could ask him WHAT would make him use the box.

Might be worth one more try with the psychic.

If you DO have to rehome him - how about a farm or rural place? They might have to keep him inside for a bit til he socializes, but he would have free roam.

My heart just aches for you. My Oscar plants his purring bod all against my ear in the morning...if I were in your shoes, I don't know what I would do.

PT Prayers headed your way!

hugs!

I think a cat run sounds like it would be a good idea, but to but a top on it so he cant get out.

Also have you tried yestedays news?
Its a differnt form of litter but still helps block the odour and soak up the pee. And it looks like rabbit food

[Reachoutrescue]

I think the cage idea is smart. I also would try the outdoor housing too. Give him options....not a new home. He loves you as you love him too. Good luck.

[AdoreMyDogs]

does Minion go OVER your privacy fence? If so, check this out.
http://www.catfencein.com/
and look through the brocure links, better photos and explainations.

Thanks so much everyone. Sofar my sweet Minion has been sleeping outside for the past several nights and he's done OK. I miss him, and I know he misses me, but sofar it's working out.

This is very cool, Jenluckenbach! I have ordered a catalouge. That would certainlly work to keep him inside our yard! There's only one spot that he hops the fence, hopefully they don't charge a whole bunch, and you don't have to buy a huge amount since there's just a small area that he jumps.

Thanks everyone for the advice. And regarding the litter types, I've tried everything. I've tried Arm & Hammer, I've tried the bigger grain ones like Yesterdays News and that cedar stuff. We've tried all kinds of different textures and he just hates litter of every type it seems, but he has no problem pooping in it, he just won't pee in it.

Thanks so much everyone for the advice and for not being mean. This is not easy to go threw.

[jenluckenbach]

The next thing to consider are getting him used to diapers. Sure, 24/7 would be hard, especially when you will have a newborn soon. But for his visits inside! That way you would not have to watch him like a hawk, but he would still be able to join you in the house for the "daily visit". (or whatever you choose)