Home | Contact Us | FAQ | Search & Site Map | Link to Us
Sign In | Join | Other 45 Sites in Network
Home
Discussion GroupsGeneral TopicsCat AnecdotesHealth and BehaviorRescue
CatKB.com
Contact UsLink To UsSearch & Site Map

Cat Forum / General Topics / January 2004

Tip: Looking for answers? Try searching our database.

Carpets and kittens

Thread view: 
Enable EMail Alerts  Start New Thread
Thread rating: 
Andy Sanson - 08 Jan 2004 08:24 GMT
We have two kittens about six months old, both healthy and happy but are not
being allowed outside until they have been speyed and had feline leukaemia
protection both of which will be done soon. Both were house trained by
previous "owner". Trouble is, they've started wetting on the carpets (in
corners) and ripping the carpet edges up, usually when doors are shut which
is easy enough to solve by leaving door open, but lately one of them has
begun clawing at the carpet edge when the door is open for no apparent
reason. We're wondering if it's them trying to tell us they're ready to go
out into the big wide world even though they don't meow at the doors or
windows to be let out. How can we stop them doing this? They are beautiful
cats and we love them. This is just a shame. Hoping they'll grow out of it
but it's a pain at the moment.

Thanks
~*Connie*~ - 08 Jan 2004 12:18 GMT
the kitties don't need to go outside, they are however probably bored.  you
should get them some toys, and a tall (taller than your hip, preferably
something as tall as you) scratching post.  Cats often claw at the carpet to
help their claws shed the outer sheaths.

> We have two kittens about six months old, both healthy and happy but are not
> being allowed outside until they have been speyed and had feline leukaemia
[quoted text clipped - 10 lines]
>
> Thanks
Andy Sanson - 08 Jan 2004 15:08 GMT
Thanks for that but we already have scratching posts and hundreds of toys,
or so it seems. Possibly they still get bored even so. Further comments and
thoughts very welcome.

> the kitties don't need to go outside, they are however probably bored.  you
> should get them some toys, and a tall (taller than your hip, preferably
[quoted text clipped - 17 lines]
> >
> > Thanks
Sabrina's Mom - 08 Jan 2004 15:20 GMT
>Thanks for that but we already have scratching posts and hundreds of toys,
>or so it seems. Possibly they still get bored even so. Further comments and
>thoughts very welcome.

Try the catnip on the scratching post idea that has been posted here -
to get them to switch from the carpet and use the scratching post
instead.

Also, something I've seen suggested (but never used myself) is the
watergun theory.   keep a water gun handy and when you see them
scratching on the carpet then squirt w/ water.  

They also make a spray that is supposed to deter the cats from
scratching - get that and try to spray that on the areas they are
pulling up.

As for the urinating - please have them checked for UTI problems.
Then some tips here are 1.  clean the area very well w/ a enzymatic
cleaner (natures Miracle if you are in the US, or a enzymatic laundry
soap if you are in the UK).  
2.  Clean again  :-)
3.  Cover the area w/ furniture, or tinfoil or tinfoil w/ balled up
masking tape on it.
4.  If they continue, place a small bowl of dry cat food on each spot.
Cats won't urine where they eat - they are too clean for that.

Finally, I'd suggests that you get multiple litter pans and place in
different areas.   2 cats need 2 litter pans, maybe even 3 litter
pans.   Clean often.   Try to make sure the litter pan is in an out of
the way place (give your babies privacy to go potty).
Sunflower - 10 Jan 2004 14:35 GMT
> We have two kittens about six months old, both healthy and happy but are not
> being allowed outside until they have been speyed and had feline leukaemia
[quoted text clipped - 10 lines]
>
> Thanks

Have them checked for a urinary infection, clean the litterbox twice a day,
make sure you have some *horizontal* scratching posts, and go ahead and have
them fixed NOW.  Female kittens can become preggers as early as 4-5 months,
and with spring coming, you are probably seeing a surge in the hormone
production that is contributing to their restlessnes.  What you don't want
to end up with is a "oops" litter! Kittens can be safely altered as young as
6 weeks if the vet is experienced enough to do it.
 
Sign In
Join
My Latest Posts
My Monitored Threads
My Blog
My Photo Gallery
My Profile
My Homepage

Start New Thread
Enable EMail Alerts
Rate this Thread



©2008 Advenet LLC   Privacy Policy - Terms of Use
This website includes both content owned or controlled by Advenet as well as content owned or controlled by third parties.