> Hi. We recently had a disastrous experience with adopting 2 cats. They
> peed
[quoted text clipped - 15 lines]
>
> -Maxine
It wasn't a physical problem because the cats didn't have the behavior
before or after we had them. I don't want to try to dig too deeply into
the psychology of THOSE cats, but to understand the best strategy for
the next ones.
Thanks,
Maxine
> Did you ever figure out what went wrong with the previous cats? Were
> they checked out by the vet (with urine testing) to see if there was a
[quoted text clipped - 21 lines]
>>
>> -Maxine
bookie - 05 Dec 2006 19:08 GMT
> It wasn't a physical problem because the cats didn't have the behavior
> before or after we had them. I don't want to try to dig too deeply into
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
> Thanks,
> Maxine
you could try reading the excellent books by Vicky Halls, either Cat
Confidential or The Dat Detective, both of which are excellent at
describing behavioural problems in cats and thus helping you to
identify them in your own felines and sort any problems out with
minimal fuss. She describes a lot of case studies she has worked with
(she is an animal behaviourist or something) which have involved cats
spraying or eliminating in unsuitable places other than their litter
trays and these problems seem to be caused by stress in the cat, either
because the cat is in a new place and is unsettled or because there has
been a newcomer introduced to the house or whatever. Anyway, in the
books she not only describes the problem behaviours but also explains
why they occur and most importantly what you can do in order to prevent
it, without having to hand back your new feline friends to wherever
they came from which i think should really be a last resort.
Remember; cat's cannot speak for themselves so they cannot tell us or
express in ways which we may automatically understand that they are
stressed, scared, insecure or just unhappy. You have to look for signs
of this in any abnormal or unusual behaviour which they may undertake
which, despite being thoroughly antisocial and unpleasant to us, are
possibly the only coping mechanisms left to a very unhappy and stressed
out cat trying to come to terms with his new surroundings.
please read these books asap and give your new cats a chance
bookie - 05 Dec 2006 19:09 GMT
> It wasn't a physical problem because the cats didn't have the behavior
> before or after we had them. I don't want to try to dig too deeply into
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
> Thanks,
> Maxine
you could try reading the excellent books by Vicky Halls, either Cat
Confidential or The Dat Detective, both of which are excellent at
describing behavioural problems in cats and thus helping you to
identify them in your own felines and sort any problems out with
minimal fuss. She describes a lot of case studies she has worked with
(she is an animal behaviourist or something) which have involved cats
spraying or eliminating in unsuitable places other than their litter
trays and these problems seem to be caused by stress in the cat, either
because the cat is in a new place and is unsettled or because there has
been a newcomer introduced to the house or whatever. Anyway, in the
books she not only describes the problem behaviours but also explains
why they occur and most importantly what you can do in order to prevent
it, without having to hand back your new feline friends to wherever
they came from which i think should really be a last resort.
Remember; cat's cannot speak for themselves so they cannot tell us or
express in ways which we may automatically understand that they are
stressed, scared, insecure or just unhappy. You have to look for signs
of this in any abnormal or unusual behaviour which they may undertake
which, despite being thoroughly antisocial and unpleasant to us, are
possibly the only coping mechanisms left to a very unhappy and stressed
out cat trying to come to terms with his new surroundings.
please read these books asap and give your new cats a chance
Maxine - 05 Dec 2006 19:47 GMT
"bookie" <emily_booker@hotmail.com> wrote in news:1165345750.918737.160080@
16g2000cwy.googlegroups.com:
>> It wasn't a physical problem because the cats didn't have the behavior
>> before or after we had them. I don't want to try to dig too deeply into
[quoted text clipped - 26 lines]
> out cat trying to come to terms with his new surroundings.
> please read these books asap and give your new cats a chance
Thanks. I will look for these books right away.
bookie - 05 Dec 2006 19:58 GMT
> "bookie" <emily_booker@hotmail.com> wrote in news:1165345750.918737.160080@
> 16g2000cwy.googlegroups.com:
[quoted text clipped - 31 lines]
>
> Thanks. I will look for these books right away.
she has another one out at the minute called The Cat Counsellor or
similar, I have not read it (hoping santa will give it to me) but it is
probably written along similar lines. also if your cats' spraying
behaviour is down to stress then you could also try a feliway diffuser
which emits cat pheromones around the place and is thought to calm them
down a bit. I think you can get them from vets surgeries, bit like one
of those plug-in air freshener things, best of luck with it all
Lesley - 09 Dec 2006 23:36 GMT
> > Thanks. I will look for these books right away.
> she has another one out at the minute called The Cat Counsellor or
> similar,
Contains one of the funniest stories I've ever read (This year with
Dave in hospital I've made my own arrangements fro Xmas)
Spoiler warning...
She was called to deal with a cat who was no longer using her litter
box despite a previous unblemished record. The only thing she could
ascertain was that the family's dog had recently crossed the Bridge and
the family had rescued another dog they'd named "Ranger". They had
offered the dog a home as he had a previous history of interacting well
with cats but through at first dog and cat had existed happily the cat
had started to find odd corners to cr*p in all over the house.A vet
check revealed no problem to explain this...
Anyway she was taking the history and the slave had gone out to make a
cup of coffee and the little son of the slave informed her with great
solemnity that she shouldn't let Ranger lick her face because "He eats
the cats poo"
Sad fact. Dogs do this and what was happening was as the poor cat
(Sorry the books at work and I can't remember the name) was sitting
down to have a peaceful moment on the litter box and the dog was
standing there waiting for a warm, steaming treat! (UGH! Then again I
used to have rabbits and they produce two different turds. The first
one is partially digested and they eat that so they can extract
essential nutrients from it (I'd rather not think "Because they like
the taste") the second is as it were the final output). No wonder the
cat was trying not to use the box..
Apparently simple relocation of the box where the cat could have her
privacy and the dog couldn't reach her (I think they put the box in a
cupboard and fitted a cat flap and did have a couple of problems with
the dog still trying to get in and getting his head stuck)
Lesley
Slave of the Fabulous Furballs
Wendy - 05 Dec 2006 22:51 GMT
Well the reason I asked is if you had it confirmed at the vet (which
apparently you didn't) that it definitely wasn't a physical problem but a
behavioral one then you'd have to look to see if there was something in the
environment of your home that might have triggered the problem - an intact
stray hanging around outside for instance - and that might effect what you
need to do to bring in two more without having the same result.
W
> It wasn't a physical problem because the cats didn't have the behavior
> before or after we had them. I don't want to try to dig too deeply into
[quoted text clipped - 29 lines]
>>>
>>> -Maxine
Annie Wxill - 06 Dec 2006 00:42 GMT
> It wasn't a physical problem because the cats didn't have the behavior
> before or after we had them. I don't want to try to dig too deeply into
> the psychology of THOSE cats, but to understand the best strategy for
> the next ones.
Thanks,
> Maxine
It sounds to me like the cats are fine, but have a problem with something in
your environment. It could have been as simple as the placement of the
litter box, or the type of litter, or the number of litter boxes, or
something else.
There are any number of books and information on the Web about litter box
problems. Perhaps you will be able to figure out what it is in your
environment that caused the cats to react that way. Doing this detective
work on your part will help you be better prepared for any future cats you
may bring into your home.
Also, please understand that cats are individuals and there is no absolute
blanket formula that applies to them all. If you bring new cats into your
home, you may have not problems at all. But if you do, a little patience
and detective work to find out what the cats are telling you will help you
and your cats create the happy family you want.
You appear to be a caring person, and that is the most important thing. You
can find the information you seek.
Good luck.
Annie