Fish Tanks and Bathroom Habits

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JR - 13 Nov 2003 16:55 GMT

Hi. I have a kitten who attacks my fish tank every chance he has, and
now that I'm using a new chemical to keep the tank water clear, I'm
worried about him attacking the tank while I'm at work, and getting
the tank water on his fur (the chemical is fairly potent, and is
probably unhealthy for kittens). I thought about just covering the
tank, but that may not work, because he's likely to just pull off the
cover. If he does, the filter and heater may come with it, which
could spell disaster (water damage, and the good possibility of a
fire, if the heater makes extended contact with my carpet). I could
keep both he and my other kitten downstairs in my basement while I'm
at work, but I don't like that solution. The basement if fully
furnished, has litter boxes, a food and water dispenser, and toys, but
it just seems kind of cruel. I want him to be able to explore the
house, but just not attack the fish tank!

Also, the same kitten that attacks my fish tank has a tendency to pee
where he shouldn't be peeing (on my coat, couch, his kitty bed, etc.).
For some reason or another, he only does this while I'm watching him!
I get the feeling he's trying to tell me something, but what they may
be, I don't know. I keep his litter box perfectly clean. I have one
of those kitty litter liner systems that makes cleaning the litter box
a breeze (I clean both litter boxes every other day).

If anyone has any suggestions for either or both of these problems,
please share! I'd really like to hear other kitten/cat owner's
thoughts on keeping kittens confined to one area of the house for an
extended period of time (8 or 9 hours). Do you think this is cruel,
despite the rational for so doing? I sometimes keep both of my
kittens in the basement, when I really need a good night's sleep, for
example. They don't seem to mind, but sometimes I seem to mind for
them! I'd like to just confine them to the basement and the first
floor on those nights, but I can't keep them from getting to the
second floor (I'm working on creating a door that may do the trick).

Thanks.

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Mary - 13 Nov 2003 17:40 GMT

> Hi. I have a kitten who attacks my fish tank every chance he has, and
> now that I'm using a new chemical to keep the tank water clear, I'm
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
> could spell disaster (water damage, and the good possibility of a
> fire, if the heater makes extended contact with my carpet).

Secure the cover sothat removing it requires THUMBS. If you are really
worried about it, you can duct tape that bad boy all the way around.
Or use clear packing tape.

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zuzu22@webtv.net - 14 Nov 2003 03:43 GMT

Get a hood with a flourescent light for your tank. It is heavy and your
kitten won't be able to pull it off. I have 4 aquariums with such hoods
and 25 cats and have no problems.

>Also, the same kitten that attacks my fish
>tank has a tendency to pee where he
>shouldn't be peeing (on my coat, couch,
>his kitty bed, etc.).

> For some reason or another, he only

>does this while I'm watching him! I get the
>feeling he's trying to tell me something,
>but what they may
>be, I don't know.

It sounds like your kitty has a urinary tract infection. The behavior
you describe is classic for a kitty that suffers from a UTI. It is very
painful and they associate the pain with the litterbox, so they seek out
soft or cool surfaces to pee on thinking it will feel better. If he
develops crystals and blocks he can die. You need to get him to a vet
ASAP, no later than tomorrow.

Megan

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Jeannie - 14 Nov 2003 09:02 GMT

>Also, the same kitten that attacks my fish
>tank has a tendency to pee where he
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
>but what they may
>be, I don't know.

My dog does exactly the same thing. She gets down right in front of me and
pees on the carpet. I think it's attention seeking behaviour. The cat (or
dog in my case) does it because they KNOW you will react and even if you
react by shouting etc, it's still attention for them. Also, usually after
you have shouted at them you feel bad and give them loads of (guilt induced)
GOOD attention, which would seem to be the pay off.

I suppose you should get the cat checked by a vet to see if he does have a
UTI but I think that's more likely to be behavioural.

Jeannie

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JR - 15 Nov 2003 16:56 GMT

> >Also, the same kitten that attacks my fish
> >tank has a tendency to pee where he
[quoted text clipped - 17 lines]
>
> Jeannie

Thanks to everyone for your responses. I suppose my fish tank
attacking kitten really won't cause any problems, because I do have a
flourescent hood on my fish tank. I gladly accept that he is safe,
based on the advice of someone with four fish tanks, and 25 cats!
Wow! That sounds like quite a handful ;-)

Also, I don't think he has a URI, because he pees in both his litter
box, and elsewhere. He has no problem peeing in front of me in either
place, and doesn't appear to be in any pain when he's doing so.

Thanks again.

JR

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