Cat Issue

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Author Message   Geri Fletcher Citizen Username: Gerif Post Number: 28 Registered: 10-2005 Posted on Tuesday, April 25, 2006 - 10:28 pm:        We have 2 great cats who will be turning three in October. We adopted them when they were 8 weeks old and have never had a problem with them until now. I am 7 months pregnant with our 2nd child and for the past week and a half, the cats have defecated/urinated around our home totally out of the blue. We spoke to some shelters and behaviorists and they have all said that I am emitting a hormone that causes the cats to know that I am pregnant. So their behavior is territorial. This was something that we tried to tolerate UNTIL I was feeding my 17 month old son breakfast one morning and the 2 cats urinated on one of his toys, in front of us. We do not want to put them in a 'kill' situation but have decided that we can no longer keep them. The shelters in the area who we contacted are all full. We also don't think they should go to a family with young babies or a couple who wants to start a family. Anyone out there have any suggestions or help for us?   FlyingSpaghettiMonst Citizen Username: Noodlyappendage Post Number: 73 Registered: 11-2005 Posted on Tuesday, April 25, 2006 - 10:30 pm:        Get rid of the kids. instead.   Calliope Citizen Username: Calliope Post Number: 142 Registered: 3-2006 Posted on Tuesday, April 25, 2006 - 10:52 pm:        Hi Geri, Elimination issues are always problematic, and while you state you have spoken to shelters and behaviorists, did you have your vet check them out? It may be territorial behavior, but it could also be any of a number of medical problems. You might want to do a google search on Carole Wilbourne, she touts herself as a "cat therapist" and there is a lot of useful information about these sort of problems on her website. This is kitten season, so shelters are overwhelmed. Chances are that 2 cats who sound like they have to be placed together, will wait a long time in a no kill shelter,if there is room for them. Owner surrenders are the first animals euthanized in overcrowded kill shelters. Please do not put them up on freecycle, or place a "Free to good home"ad, because your pets could easily fall into unscrupulous hands, and wind up bait for illegal dog fighting rings. Please try to place them with a rescue group who will put them in foster care. Be advised that most responsible rescues are full to the rafters with adoptable cats. You might try going on Petfinder.org to locate a rescue and post a message asking for a rescue to take them in. If you have them checked out by a vet, and there are no medical problems, PL me, and I will try to help you. Calli   Geri Fletcher Citizen Username: Gerif Post Number: 29 Registered: 10-2005 Posted on Tuesday, April 25, 2006 - 10:58 pm:        Calli, Thank you for all of your info! We don't think there's a physical issue but we're going to schedule an appt with their vet (just to be safe) I agree with you on the 'free cats' posting, you never know who would take them and why. Again, thanks! I'll keep you posted -Geri   Just The Aunt Supporter Username: Auntof13 Post Number: 4798 Registered: 1-2004 Posted on Wednesday, April 26, 2006 - 12:55 am:        Do you have family members or friends who could take them in until after the baby is born? I'm sure having to give them up is a diffiuclt decision. Maybe someone else ho has gone through a similar situaitn will read this and have an answer. Good Luck. BTW Have you checked with Mount Pleasant Animal Shelter on Mount Pleasant Ave in East Hanover? I was just in there last week with a friend's daughter to play with the cats and kittens. My friend's child was disappointed there weren't that many there. When I explaine that was a good thing because it meant they've found homes, she was really happy! I can't imagine they've gotten dozens of cats and kittens since we've been there.   las Citizen Username: Las Post Number: 1669 Registered: 10-2003 Posted on Wednesday, April 26, 2006 - 12:52 pm:        Geri, did you have your vet appointment yet? What's the news?   janeste Citizen Username: Janeste Post Number: 98 Registered: 6-2001 Posted on Wednesday, April 26, 2006 - 2:39 pm:        Hi, Geri, I didn't have any problem with my cat when I was pregnant, but after my baby and I came home from the hospital the cat, then eleven years old, defacated or urniated in the suitcase I'd taken to the hospital, the baby's laundry basket, the (borrowed!) Moses basket, etc. We had never had issues like that with the cat before. My vet at the time (Westfield Veterinary Group) sent me some literature about how to handle it, and eventually the cat stopped doing it. She even came around to loving that baby, perhaps the most of any of us. I remember at the time freaking out, but when all was said and done, it probably didn't go on for very long. If I still had the handout I'd send it to you, but perhaps your vet has something like it (or call over to Westfield). I frankly don't remember the literature being so helpful specifically, but it did help to know that it was a problem that could (possibly, anyway) be solved. It would be lovely if you could get through this without parting with your kitties. And it would be great if they get through this phase before the baby's born, rather than after!   Pippi Supporter Username: Pippi Post Number: 2141 Registered: 8-2003 Posted on Wednesday, April 26, 2006 - 2:42 pm:        geri - have you had any trouble with your first born child and the cats? I presume you had your first child before you got the cats? just wondering if they all get along....   Royce Citizen Username: Royce Post Number: 9 Registered: 1-2004 Posted on Wednesday, April 26, 2006 - 2:52 pm:        My cat stopped using the litterbox when we changed brands of litter, is there any chance that could be the problem with your cats?   ess Citizen Username: Ess Post Number: 1827 Registered: 11-2001 Posted on Wednesday, April 26, 2006 - 3:01 pm:        Before my first child was born, we strapped a teddy bear into the car seat and left it around. Our cat would circle it, sniff it, but never attack it. He also didn't do anything strange. When the baby was brought home from the hospital, he was very careful around her. He never harmed her or hissed at her in any way, even when she pulled his ears or tail (when she did that, the cat bit her father). With the second child, the cat was already conditioned, so there was no problem. The litter-change issue seems legitimate. Did that happen? Have you been paying any less attention to the cats lately? It seems heartbreaking to have to give the cats to a shelter; I do hope there is a solution that would allow you to keep them.   Pippi Supporter Username: Pippi Post Number: 2143 Registered: 8-2003 Posted on Wednesday, April 26, 2006 - 3:06 pm:        "even when she pulled his ears or tail (when she did that, the cat bit her father)"   las Citizen Username: Las Post Number: 1670 Registered: 10-2003 Posted on Wednesday, April 26, 2006 - 3:10 pm:        smart cat!   mjc Citizen Username: Mjc Post Number: 1093 Registered: 10-2004 Posted on Wednesday, April 26, 2006 - 3:16 pm:        Someone (was it las?) had a similar problem a while ago, and it seemed the cat was reacting to something new outside the home (construction nearby?). Is there anything new at/around your house that might be upsetting them? Paint? Nursery prep? Landscaping? Any chance there's a mouse or other interloper? When my own cat did "demonstrations" like this, it was either a UTI/kidney infection or a response to vacation prep. You almost hope it's something an antibiotic can cure. If the cats (3 years old) were with you before your child (17 months?), maybe it's not the pregnancy after all. I hope things have improved at your house. It's really annoying when they shun the litter box.   las Citizen Username: Las Post Number: 1672 Registered: 10-2003 Posted on Wednesday, April 26, 2006 - 3:40 pm:        (was it las?) That's right, mjc - my usually anxious cat was having issues a bit worse than the norm. Turns out there had been construction crews on my building that week scaring him to the point he sh*t his pants each day. As a result of that incident, I now remind my nancy-boy each morning that he is always safe inside, no matter what noises he hears, etc. It either works or is coincidence that his bowel has been a bit calmer. They really are so sensitive.   mjc Citizen Username: Mjc Post Number: 1094 Registered: 10-2004 Posted on Wednesday, April 26, 2006 - 3:55 pm:        las, between imagining his "pants" and "nancy boy" I'm laughing out loud at work. Please keep it down.   las Citizen Username: Las Post Number: 1673 Registered: 10-2003 Posted on Wednesday, April 26, 2006 - 4:04 pm:        mjc, you laugh because you had a 'curable' cat - I have one for whom I must make 'accommodations'!   kriss Citizen Username: Kriss Post Number: 296 Registered: 6-2001 Posted on Wednesday, April 26, 2006 - 4:09 pm:        Geri, Over the years we've had some problems with one of our cats. He came into our bedroom one morning and looked at us and peed right on the floor. I tried to take him down to the litter box, but he freaked out and ran, and that's when I discovered that he was literally too scared to use the basement. (I later found some old boxes that were in disarray, so he probably knocked them over onto himself and freaked). We had to move the box upstairs for a day or two, and then slowly inch it back down the steps. Have you physically taken them to their litter boxes and put them in? If there's something that's making the boxes unappealing for whatever reason, maybe you'll be able to figure it out. I have two young kids, and after the birth of the second, we also had some accidents (same sensitive boy-cat). I can empathize with you because I truly believed I would go insane dealing with a toddler, a newborn, and a cat that shat and pissed everywhere. My vet said, as you increase the number of living beings in your household, you are increasing the probability that one of those beings is going to pee or poop somewhere inappropriate. He advised us to make the litter boxes as attractive as possible, keep them scrupulously clean, and have one more litter box than we had cats. So, that meant removing the lids from the covered boxes (people like them because they keep the stink in, but I imagine for cats it's like going in one of those nasty port-a-potties), switching to Everclear litter (can find at NJ Pets), cleaning out the boxes every single day, and adding two more litter boxes (we have 3 cats, so 4 boxes total). Have to tell you, it worked. My youngest child will turn two next month, and there have been no accidents since we took our vet's advice. Please feel free to PL me if you have any questions.   Lizziecat Citizen Username: Lizziecat Post Number: 1179 Registered: 5-2003 Posted on Wednesday, April 26, 2006 - 4:22 pm:        Whenever we got home from a vacation, my sweet cat Elizabeth would pee on our suitcases because those were the things that we took when we left her. She would also sleep in the hallway outside our bedroom door, where we would trip over her if we got up in the night--sort of a feline version of hall patrol. We weren't going anywhere without her if she could help it. She wasn't fond of our grandchildren. When they visited, Elizabeth would disappear for hours, but as soon as she heard us saying "Bye bye," she would come back. Long ago I had a male cat who hated computers and deliberatly peed on a box of letterhead computer stationary, ruining it.   bets Supporter Username: Bets Post Number: 22976 Registered: 6-2001 Posted on Wednesday, April 26, 2006 - 4:53 pm:        Geri - I PL'd you.   las Citizen Username: Las Post Number: 1674 Registered: 10-2003 Posted on Wednesday, April 26, 2006 - 7:28 pm:        Oh- oh - Bets!!! (nope not jumping to conclusions)   catmanjac Citizen Username: Catmanjac Post Number: 151 Registered: 2-2004 Posted on Wednesday, April 26, 2006 - 7:29 pm:        Your pregnancy may indeed be the cause of the problem, as your cats are able to sense the change in your hormones. My sister had this problem about twelve years ago. Barring any physical causes, you might try a pheromone based product such as Feliway, but my experience with it is poor. Your Veterinarian might prescribe a psychotropic medication, such as Buspar, Xanax, Elavil or Paxil in an attempt to alleviate the situation.   greenetree Supporter Username: Greenetree Post Number: 7428 Registered: 5-2001 Posted on Wednesday, April 26, 2006 - 7:39 pm:        I have my mom's cats on pheromone therapy. It's aromatherapy for cats. Plugs in like one of those Glade things. But more expensive.   bets Supporter Username: Bets Post Number: 22981 Registered: 6-2001 Posted on Wednesday, April 26, 2006 - 10:10 pm:        Temporarily at best las*, as I've committed to other circumstances. I can support 4 cats! Hopefully cat food and litter won't hit $5 a pound! GT, I have your back, always!   bets Supporter Username: Bets Post Number: 22983 Registered: 6-2001 Posted on Wednesday, April 26, 2006 - 10:42 pm:        I'm too late to edit post 22891, but I meant to say temporarily at worst. Hopefully, Geri and family can reunite after baby is born. Since compassion and life experience with animals in my childhood really affected me, I think it made me understand how to tolerate life, i.e. whatever happened to YOU today that pissed you off and made you react! Something did and you were human. Ideally you're past it now. If not, I'll be in touch tomorrow. I am human proof that •••• happens.   greenetree Supporter Username: Greenetree Post Number: 7430 Registered: 5-2001 Posted on Wednesday, April 26, 2006 - 11:11 pm:          las Citizen Username: Las Post Number: 1675 Registered: 10-2003 Posted on Wednesday, April 26, 2006 - 11:12 pm:        Cat •••• happens, too. (at least in this thread it does.)   flugermongers Citizen Username: Flugermongers Post Number: 567 Registered: 5-2001 Posted on Thursday, April 27, 2006 - 8:06 am:        If ya had a problem w/ the other child being jealous and territorial, would you get rid of it? Curious..   las Citizen Username: Las Post Number: 1680 Registered: 10-2003 Posted on Thursday, April 27, 2006 - 12:08 pm:        It's not fair that Geri hasn't posted. What about us? What about our need to know her business? Geez.   Geri Fletcher Citizen Username: Gerif Post Number: 30 Registered: 10-2005 Posted on Thursday, April 27, 2006 - 1:59 pm:        Las Give me a chance!! We have made an appt for the vet for this Sat. to make sure everything is updated (vaccine-wise) and to get them checked out. As promised, I will keep ya updated! Thanks for everyone's suggestions - it's all been very enlightening! As for those suggesting I get rid of my kids instead . . . not an option!! Wiseguys!   MeAndTheBoys Citizen Username: Meandtheboys Post Number: 3594 Registered: 12-2004 Posted on Thursday, April 27, 2006 - 2:00 pm:          las Citizen Username: Las Post Number: 1682 Registered: 10-2003 Posted on Thursday, April 27, 2006 - 2:27 pm:        As for those suggesting I get rid of my kids instead . . . not an option!! Indeed, you should give that thought some serious consideration, Geri. I did, and it's worked out swell!   cats Citizen Username: Cats Post Number: 53 Registered: 5-2003 Posted on Thursday, April 27, 2006 - 9:10 pm:        Geri, FYI - since I don't know when your cats were last vaccinated, I just wanted to make you aware of the latest research. Actually, it's a few years old. It has been shown that the Distemper vaccine may not be needed every year since the antibodies may still be present in their system for a few years. I'm sure your vet will know about this - ask. My vet gave me a handout and I was stunned because they are always looking to make a buck. Instead of over-vaccinating and stressing out your cats' immune systems, your vet can do a titer test (blood test) to detect the presence of antibodies. This particular test costs more than the vaccine, but if it is shown that they do not have antibodies, then the vaccine will be given at no charge (my vet's policy). Think about it, most of us have a series of vaccines when we are young and this is supposed to protect us for the rest of our lives! Why should it be any different for animals? Also, if your cats do not go outside, why do they need to be protected against the slim possibility they might be infected with rabies? I believe many of these vaccines actually stress their immune systems. If you choose to vaccinate, do yourself a favor and buy some homeopathic Thuja (Whole Foods has it) in case they should have a reaction (lethargy, loss of appetite). It has been shown to lessen any negative reactions. I agree that there may be an underlying health issue, but it's most likely a behavioral issue which may resolve itself on it's own, or not. Cats will be cats! Gotta love 'em.   flugermongers Citizen Username: Flugermongers Post Number: 569 Registered: 5-2001 Posted on Thursday, April 27, 2006 - 9:55 pm:        I didn't suggest getting rid of your kids, I simply asked if you would. I think too many people view animals as non-commital... if you adopt a child, you don't just give it back (well, some do). So in fact I'm saying the opposite. Keep this kids AND the cats. Unless your kids are in some kind of real danger, besides peepee danger.