More cat questions

[swamp]

It appears that my cat is not the brightest crayon in the box. 

About once a week, when he attempts to poop in the litter box, he misses and deposits it next to the box. 

Also, so, he keeps scratching the rug in the bedroom. The expensive rug.  Despite having a scratching pad, and that we let him do it to cheap throw rugs and the bath mats, and welcome mats.  Every time he is caught scratching the rug, he gets socks or a pillow or something similar Thrown at him. 

Any suggestions?  

[msventoux]

Buy a bigger kitty box or see if he'll use and enclosed one?  Wouldn't stop him from hanging his butt out the door though.

Mine are much, much less likely to scratch on things other than their scratching posts if I keep their nails trimmed.  He might not like it much the first few times it's done, but they do get used to it.  Also, I would try to train him that the only acceptable place to scratch is on his scratching pad.  And maybe have a couple of different types of pads.  Mine love the circular ones with a cardboard inset that makes a huge mess.  Of course. 

[Malarky]

I have two cats that in twelve years have never once scratched anything designed for cats to scratch.
They favor only expensive wool or silk oriental carpets.  And couches.  
And have completely ruined a cabinet in the hallway.  
They have never played with a cat toy.  They frequently shred hair ties and the fabric coated headbands I favor.

I'm not really sure why I like them.

I'm only half kidding when I say I'm waiting for the cats to die and the kids to move out. 

[steff]

I used either a small cheap water gun filled w/ water & a shot of vinegar or a Pringles can with a handful of beans in it.  Whenever the cats were doing something I didn't want them to, I either give em a squirt or a can rattle in their direction.  Eventually (and it does take doing it 1,000,000,000,000 times) they will get the message and stop doing it.

I would suggest a high sided/covered cat box for the other issue.  My Miss Tip did the same thing & then would obsess over trying to bury it outside the box.   By the time she was done, there would be basically a mini-catbox pile next to the box. 

[Deleted]

I would experiment with different types of kitty litter.

My cat likes the tall scratching posts ,won't touch the short ones.

[Tennesseer]

Is he scratching the same area on the rug?.  If yes, put a cheap rug over thst area.  Spray it with some Feliway spray that may calm him when he sniffs the area.

My 18-year-old male for past few years has been missing the box when he urinates.  He thinks it is ending up in the box but it goes over and outside the top of the box.  So I bought those disposable bed mats that you put on top of bed sheets for those folks who have accidents while sleeping.  The mats soak up the urine and none gets on the tile floor.  Makes clean up easy.  Cat litter flying out of the litter box seems to want to stay on the pads too.  Again, clean up is pretty easy.

[milee]

See if one of the neighbors likes him and will adopt him.

To be fair, we kinda adopted one of our neighbor's cats.  This cat just literally showed up at our front door.  Stayed there for three days meowing at us like she expected to be let in.  So finally we did.  Just petted her a little, fed her and put her back outside.  Where she sat meowing for another couple of days...  Long story short, she does have a home (about 1/4 mile away) but she doesn't like any of the other cats at her house, so she "visits" us.  The owner knows and we're all happy with the arrangement.  She shows up when she needs a break from the other cats.  We love her up, feed her a little and send her home in a day or two.  She's never inside long enough to do any damage and the boys like her.  Works for me.  But than again, we pretty much feed whatever shows up at our door, so what do I know? 

[Tennesseer]

Dec 7, 2014 20:46:35 GMT -5 milee said:

See if one of the neighbors likes him and will adopt him.

To be fair, we kinda adopted one of our neighbor's cats.  This cat just literally showed up at our front door.  Stayed there for three days meowing at us like she expected to be let in.  So finally we did.  Just petted her a little, fed her and put her back outside.  Where she sat meowing for another couple of days...  Long story short, she does have a home (about 1/4 mile away) but she doesn't like any of the other cats at her house, so she "visits" us.  The owner knows and we're all happy with the arrangement.  She shows up when she needs a break from the other cats.  We love her up, feed her a little and send her home in a day or two.  She's never inside long enough to do any damage and the boys like her.  Works for me.  But than again, we pretty much feed whatever shows up at our door, so what do I know? 

Growing up, we had a female german shepherd. She was fenced in the backyard. She had a scruffy male dog become friends with her. So we let him in the yard. Most times he went home where ever that was at the end of the day. But sometimes he spent the night. The two dogs sleeping side-by-side in the den. He became part of the family. This went on for several years.

One day, as usual, the dog shows up for the day. Several minutes later, the front doorbell rang. The visitor announced herself as the visiting dog's owner. She had always wondered where her dog wandered off to each day so she followed him that day. The dog and the woman lived about 1.5 miles away from us. She took the dog back home with her and we never saw him again. Our dog moped around for several weeks because her pal was no longer visiting her.

[milee]

Dec 7, 2014 21:08:24 GMT -5 Tennesseer said:

Dec 7, 2014 20:46:35 GMT -5 milee said:

See if one of the neighbors likes him and will adopt him.

To be fair, we kinda adopted one of our neighbor's cats.  This cat just literally showed up at our front door.  Stayed there for three days meowing at us like she expected to be let in.  So finally we did.  Just petted her a little, fed her and put her back outside.  Where she sat meowing for another couple of days...  Long story short, she does have a home (about 1/4 mile away) but she doesn't like any of the other cats at her house, so she "visits" us.  The owner knows and we're all happy with the arrangement.  She shows up when she needs a break from the other cats.  We love her up, feed her a little and send her home in a day or two.  She's never inside long enough to do any damage and the boys like her.  Works for me.  But than again, we pretty much feed whatever shows up at our door, so what do I know? 

Growing up, we had a female german shepherd. She was fenced in the backyard. She had a scruffy male dog become friends with her. So we let him in the yard. Most times he went home where ever that was at the end of the day. But sometimes he spent the night. The two dogs sleeping side-by-side in the den. He became part of the family. This went on for several years.

One day, as usual, the dog shows up for the day. Several minutes later, the front doorbell rang. The visitor announced herself as the visiting dog's owner. She had always wondered where her dog wandered off to each day so she followed him that day. The dog and the woman lived about 1.5 miles away from us. She took the dog back home with her and we never saw him again. Our dog moped around for several weeks because her pal was no longer visiting her.

This cat was way too friendly and healthy to be feral, so I suspected she lived nearby or had been recently dumped/abandoned.  That's why I didn't let the boys feed her for the first few days... figured she'd go home.  She didn't.  But she did start eating the birds that came to eat at the bird feeder.    As I mentioned earlier - we pretty much feed whatever shows up - birds, cats, whatever.  I was very sad to see the cardinal go, though. 

Anyway, this cat just stayed, so I looked for the owner.  Even took her down to the vet to see if she was microchipped (she wasn't.)  Called all the usual pet lost/found numbers with no luck.  But then when I sent an email around the neighborhood association, that's when we found the owner.  The owner and I talked for a while and that's how I know that this cat just really doesn't like any of the other cats that live with her.  I told the owner the cat's welcome to come by any time and the owner seemed very relieved.  If my boys didn't have allergies and asthma, I'd adopt the cat like the owner offered.  As it is, it's probably best that she just visits and the boys wash their hands well when they're done petting her. 

The birds haven't really come back, though.  Not sure if they will in the spring.  Part of me hopes they do since I love watching them.  But part of me hopes they stay away since I suspect this cat will show up again. 

[Cookies Galore]

Two litter boxes and a spray bottle of water.

[Tiny]

For the litter box mishaps...

Try a bigger, maybe covered litter box. The last time I looked at covered litter boxes they seemed made for tiny 7 pound cats - Big Boy cat's front end or back end would fit in it but not both at the same time. I've got really old covered boxes that are 15 inches by 20 inches or so with a cover. Big Boy can get in, dance around, dig here and there, and then finally sticks his head out the front and poops. Little Girl Cat has been known to enter the litter box and then disappear into the depths until she magically reappears just in time for dinner.

Alternatively - try a deeper cat box so he can't hang is butt over the edge - must make sure the cats can get into it - older kitties aren't always as spry as the youngsters.

You can also create a cat box from one of those plastic storage bins (that are probably on sale right now). Cut a circular hole or a U shape in one side so the cat can get in. The higher sides should help keep in the litter and the poop.

As for the cat using your expensive rug... well, cats generally have excellent taste/sense of style and, it's been my experience, would prefer to puke on, tear up, chew on, poop on or pee on the MOST expensive thing they can. I suggest you go out and buy a cheaper rug. Or install something else that's MORE expensive than the rug that the cat can use to sharpen his claws.

Seriously... I have no suggestions for the rug issue. It must be a really nice rug though.

[Tennesseer]

Dec 7, 2014 21:31:52 GMT -5 milee said:

This cat was way too friendly and healthy to be feral, so I suspected she lived nearby or had been recently dumped/abandoned.  That's why I didn't let the boys feed her for the first few days... figured she'd go home.  She didn't.  But she did start eating the birds that came to eat at the bird feeder.    As I mentioned earlier - we pretty much feed whatever shows up - birds, cats, whatever.  I was very sad to see the cardinal go, though. 

Anyway, this cat just stayed, so I looked for the owner.  Even took her down to the vet to see if she was microchipped (she wasn't.)  Called all the usual pet lost/found numbers with no luck.  But then when I sent an email around the neighborhood association, that's when we found the owner.  The owner and I talked for a while and that's how I know that this cat just really doesn't like any of the other cats that live with her.  I told the owner the cat's welcome to come by any time and the owner seemed very relieved.  If my boys didn't have allergies and asthma, I'd adopt the cat like the owner offered.  As it is, it's probably best that she just visits and the boys wash their hands well when they're done petting her. 

The birds haven't really come back, though.  Not sure if they will in the spring.  Part of me hopes they do since I love watching them.  But part of me hopes they stay away since I suspect this cat will show up again. 

I used to have a number of bird feeders until I stated taking care of outdoor cats. But I also took them down because hawks would snatch birds at the feeder. One time I walked out the backyard door and flushed out a bird hiding in a bush by the door. It was hiding from a hawk on the fence. ZAP! The hawk nailed it. I can still hear the small bird's cries as it was taken away by the hawk.

[Deleted]

Do you know anything about possums?

I always thought kinda ugly and rat like, but there is a baby hanging around here and he's really pretty cute.

He's white with a black undercoat and tiny little black ears.

I like him.

eta: off topic, sorry, nevermind.

[milee]

Dec 7, 2014 22:00:25 GMT -5 @xmascookie said:

Do you know anything about possums?

I always thought kinda ugly and rat like, but there is a baby hanging around here and he's really pretty cute.

He's white with a black undercoat and tiny little black ears.

I like him.

eta: off topic, sorry, nevermind.

One of the women in my boot camp ended up with a possum for a pet! Long story - she got it as an abandoned baby. It's adult now and she claims it's an awesome pet - friendly, sweet and uses the litter box.

[Deleted]

Wow! I wonder how my cats would feel about that.

[travelnut11]

Dec 7, 2014 21:50:03 GMT -5 Tiny said:

You can also create a cat box from one of those plastic storage bins (that are probably on sale right now). Cut a circular hole or a U shape in one side so the cat can get in. The higher sides should help keep in the litter and the poop.

This.  When my cat was having litterbox issues I finally went to Target and bought a big storage bin and cut a square hole out of the end and I haven't had an issue with the cat and the litterbox since.  It was super cheap and so much roomier than the extra large litter boxes in the stores.  I loosely set the lid on top perpendicularly so it contains some of the kicked litter but allows some air flow.  Also, I switched to Nature's Miracle litter which doesn't smell strongly like the other perfumey kinds. 

[Deleted]

Dec 7, 2014 22:09:59 GMT -5 @xmascookie said:

Wow! I wonder how my cats would feel about that.

Our cats will eat out of the same dish as the possums.  Freaks you out when all you see are their rear ends by the dish and you notice one of your cats has a hairless tail.  Thankfully, we haven't had any around for a couple years because possums kill chickens.

[msventoux]

Dec 7, 2014 23:06:52 GMT -5 travelnut11 said:

Dec 7, 2014 21:50:03 GMT -5 Tiny said:

You can also create a cat box from one of those plastic storage bins (that are probably on sale right now). Cut a circular hole or a U shape in one side so the cat can get in. The higher sides should help keep in the litter and the poop.

This.  When my cat was having litterbox issues I finally went to Target and bought a big storage bin and cut a square hole out of the end and I haven't had an issue with the cat and the litterbox since.  It was super cheap and so much roomier than the extra large litter boxes in the stores.  I loosely set the lid on top perpendicularly so it contains some of the kicked litter but allows some air flow.  Also, I switched to Nature's Miracle litter which doesn't smell strongly like the other perfumey kinds. 

If they'll use it you can also cut a hole in the top of the bin instead of the side.  One of my litter boxes is designed that way and it contains almost all of the litter since they only track out a tiny bit when they jump out of it.  Three of mine are fine using it, but one was ambushed by one of the others right after I adopted her and she refuses to go near it now. 

[Virgil Showlion]

Dec 7, 2014 19:51:23 GMT -5 swamp said:

Any suggestions?  

[Jaguar]

Virgil Showlion ,

[❤ mollymouser ❤]

1. Get a bigger litter box .... in fact, use one of those big plastic containers designed to store things under your bed.

2. Put a scat mat under your expensive rug. smile.amazon.com/PetSafe-ScatMat-Electronic-Training--16-Inch/dp/B0007NWNM8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1418021205&sr=8-1&keywords=scat+mat

(Note: excercise caution when you or a family member wants to walk on the rug)

[zibazinski]

We got a baby pool for the office cat. He's just a long cat and he couldn't get his heinie in the litter box.

[cael]

Dec 7, 2014 23:06:52 GMT -5 travelnut11 said:

Dec 7, 2014 21:50:03 GMT -5 Tiny said:

You can also create a cat box from one of those plastic storage bins (that are probably on sale right now). Cut a circular hole or a U shape in one side so the cat can get in. The higher sides should help keep in the litter and the poop.

This.  When my cat was having litterbox issues I finally went to Target and bought a big storage bin and cut a square hole out of the end and I haven't had an issue with the cat and the litterbox since.  It was super cheap and so much roomier than the extra large litter boxes in the stores.  I loosely set the lid on top perpendicularly so it contains some of the kicked litter but allows some air flow.  Also, I switched to Nature's Miracle litter which doesn't smell strongly like the other perfumey kinds. 

We've done this with kitties in my shelter who have aim issues... a tall storage tote with a hole cut out at the end for them to get into, and it's worked pretty well. On the scratching, my cat has always scratched at the rug but she's casual and light about it, so when we catch her doing it we clap or move her or whatever to make her stop, but she never pulls it up or ruins it, so it isn't a battle we fight with her. She has started scratching at my mom's antique couches a bit... my mom swears it isn't *her* cat, just mine, but it's both of them. I'm going to try the double sided anti scratch tape on those areas I think.

Re: spray bottles - sometimes they work great, sometimes not. My cat doesn't give a shit about it... before I put a cover on our old boxspring, she'd scratch it every night/morning. I'd sit up and clap at her and she'd stop, then start again. I got a spray bottle - I'd give her a squirt or two, she'd run away, and be back in 5 minutes. We finally tried the canned air keyboard cleaner thingie - works great. All I have to do is shake it in her general vicinity and she takes off and doesn't come back for a while, I don't even have to spray it anymore.

[thyme4change]

My old cat started missing the litter box because she has arthritis.  She just could bend far enough to get in the box.  We bought a  litter box with high sides, no lid and is 2 feet long and 18 inches wide - and we have zero problems now, except affording the litter to fill it.    

[t-dog]

My cats began a revolt when we got the tiny dog. Neither one will pee in their box any longer. They always go in the same place on the bathroom tile, so I relented and bought disposable puppy pee pads. At least I can pick it up and throw it away without constantly having to scrub the floor. The Himalayan/Siamese mix occasionally leaves poop deposits outside the box.  (I have the enclosed top entry litter box). Any ideas on how to get the two of them back to doing all their business in the box would be most welcome.

[kittensaver]

You've gotten some good suggestions about the box.

For scratching, also consider wide double-stick tape. Clearly, just be careful not to walk on it while the cat is being re-trained. Amazon has a pretty good selection.

I second the suggestions to keep his claws clipped very short. Once every two weeks or so should do it. Clip as far down as you can without hitting the nail bed (the interior stripe inside the claw).

Good luck.

[Tennesseer]

Dec 7, 2014 22:00:25 GMT -5 @xmascookie said:

Do you know anything about possums?

I always thought kinda ugly and rat like, but there is a baby hanging around here and he's really pretty cute.

He's white with a black undercoat and tiny little black ears.

I like him.

eta: off topic, sorry, nevermind.

Off topic again. While I chase off the raccoons who are eating the backyard and garage cats' food, I let the opossums have their share. While pretty strange looking, I do like them and they are not really a bother. I have even caught an opossum sleeping in the garage overnight on the bedding set up for the cats. I let them be as they cause little to no harm.

[ՏՇԾԵԵʅՏɧ_LԹՏՏʅҼ]

If your kitty is scratching your rug, and always the same spot, chances are they already took a pee there that you were unaware of. You may not smell the odor, but the cat will.

You can get a scratching deterrent spray that you can spray onto area rugs, upholstery (couches/chairs) that will help deter your cat from using your sofa as a scratching post. Also sensory deterents that will help.

www.petsmart.com/cat/repellents/cat-36-catid-200020

[Tennesseer]

Dec 8, 2014 15:16:56 GMT -5 t-dog said:

My cats began a revolt when we got the tiny dog. Neither one will pee in their box any longer. They always go in the same place on the bathroom tile, so I relented and bought disposable puppy pee pads. At least I can pick it up and throw it away without constantly having to scrub the floor. The Himalayan/Siamese mix occasionally leaves poop deposits outside the box.  (I have the enclosed top entry litter box). Any ideas on how to get the two of them back to doing all their business in the box would be most welcome.

Move their litter box(es) to the place where they are peeing on the bathroom tile floor?

[zibazinski]

There's stuff you can get from the vet. It's called Composure.