Purrs In Our Hearts - Cat Forum UK
Cat Health & Behaviour => Health & Behaviour General => Topic started by: fluffybunny on February 12, 2011, 12:55:38 PM
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*Waves* Hello! I saw an old friend of mine this week who has an ongoing problem with her cat. The cat is a spayed female, approx 3-4 years old I think, they have had her since she was a kitten. The household consists of 2 adults and no children or other animals. They don't have a cat flap but their kitty does go into the garden for a bit of a mooch around, but usually stays in the house after a couple of years ago, she got badly beaten up by another cat. Kitty has been to a vet and as far as they can tell, there are no medical reasons for kitty's problems.
Anyhoo, onto these problems. There are two. The main one is that kitty is mostly very loving and comes for lap time, cuddles etc, but will suddenly lash out for no reason. I'm not talking about the normal 'lashing out' that kitties do sometimes if they've had enough of the fuss etc. The other week, kitty was sat with her daddy, resting her chin on his lap, when he went to just move slightly and she launched herself onto his arm, grabbed his shoulder with both hands and bit him - the bite itself drew blood through his jumper :Crazy: She did the same to me when I was there; purring and happy one second then launches herself at you with no warning. I have a nice cut on my arm now :Crazy:
So that's problem number 1. Problem number 2 is that she seems to have toileting issues. She will wee in the litter tray but will poop under the table next to it. My friend says she will go into the tray, shuffle about a bit, then get out and poop nearby. They have tried changing the litter type several times to no avail. Sometimes she also leaves little presents around the house and one time weed on the duvet on their bed while they were in bed.
I have suggested that they get a feliway and see if that makes any difference, and also get a second litter tray and put it next to the first one. It seems to me as if the problems (especially the second one) are the sorts of issues I might expect to see in a stressed kitty, but with just 2 quiet adults in the household and no catflap so no 'visitors' can get in, I just can't see why she would be so stressed.
Anyone got any other ideas?! Thanks :wow:
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Hi fluffybunny
I'm no expert but with the poo issue do you know if she's pooing in the same place each time? It could be that there is a residual smell which is masked to us humans by whatever they have cleaned up with but that she can still smell which is encouraging her to repeatedly go there. I promise I'm not on commision but can highly recommend RX66 enzymatic cleaner (available online) which deals with wee, poo and vomit! Was also wondering if she was a bit constipated so associated the litter tray with unpleasant straining?
With regards teh aggression - there's a really comprehensive post here http://www.purrsinourhearts.co.uk/index.php/topic,14320.0.html If you have a read and can identify the type of aggression it is then there might be some useful tips to stop it.
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Certainly it sounds as if she wants two litter trays and it also maybe a good idea for her to be seen by a vet to rule out any medical probs.
Has she got a scratching post and toys, especiaaly some that her slaves can play with her?
Does she get enough human attention?
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She's not a torties is she? :naughty: I'm only half joking because I've seen torties with this sort of aggression before - purring and sweet one moment, drawing blood the next.
Have these problems started recently, and did they start at the same time?
One more question: is there enough litter in the tray? Cats don't need much to have a wee but there has to be enough to cover up a poo, otherwise they might not want to poo there (doesn't explain using the floor next to it though!)
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Have these problems developed since the cat got beaten up by another cat or were they pre-existing (even if on a smaller scale)? Anxiety and fear are not always based in logic - think of the people who have phobias, panic attacks or OCD. :scared: From what I have read toileting on a human's bed usually means the animal is scent marking their territory or trying to mingle their scent with the family, ditto not covering their poop. :sick: So this can signify stress or an attempt at dominance.
Certainly agree with the advice to clean the area with the specialised product and provide a second tray - tho I wouldn't put it adjacent as that is no different to the cat than replacing it with one larger tray. Trays in different parts of the house are invaluable if you have noisy guests, tradesmen, moving house or if the cat is convalescing and can't easily get to the one tray. Also some cats seem to prefer using a tray in public :shocked: , others require privacy.
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The link to the definitions of, and reasons for, agressive behaviour was extremely interesting and I'm sure there will be some helpful tips there.
Have to say I particularly liked the bit about what to do when your cat is lying in wait for you at the top of the stairs. It explained what I should be doing when The Munchkin does that.... (rather than what I actually do, which is to brace myself for the inevitable attack because I'm too soft to do anything to deny him his little pleasures!
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Thanks guys - I have forwarded her your suggestions and links...fingers crossed...
(and no, she's not a tortie :evillaugh: She's a black longhair - I think she was an abandoned kitten so maybe mum didn't teach her good manners while she was a babe?)