We've reached wits end with Lt. Ripley, and we actually had a chat tonight that involved terms of surrender and what shelter to take her too. There's one I'd looked at a few cats through, they have a clinic and a number of satellite foster families, and my trust. I've met them, and if she's going she'll go there. Neither of us actually want to surrender the cat, but living the next 20 years with random bits of feces and urine about the house is not attractive either. We have tried:
1) removing the obvious stress (renovations)
2) providing more than one litter box. (3)
3) providing the types of litter (newspaper, ground corn) she seems to respond to (when she does respond)
4) moving the litter boxes nearer to the points she chooses to defecate.
5) negative re-enforcement, in the form of a loud "BAD", a glancing but sincere blow to the hind quarters, while showing her the object (or puddle) of our displeasure.
6) positive re-enforcement, in the form of treats and praise when we find something in any one of three litter boxes that neither fabulous husband nor I can own up to.
7) enzyme spray to remove any trace of marking
8) enzyme scrub to remove the traces of marking the other stuff didn't actually remove.
9) pheromone spray to induce relaxation and trust (note: did not work on cat. Does wonders for me)
10) confining her to a room with litter box when she disgraces herself until she uses the box, then letting her out to the previously mentioned treats and praise.
11) boarding her for 10 days.
Our previous girl did have her moments, sometimes severe, but there was always a reason. Either she was sick, or very sick, or didn't like a room-mate, or didn't like a toy, or someone smelled like dog. In the case of our Lt. there doesn't seem to be a rhyme or reason. We have now moved on to the above plus 5 minutes in a box per offence, and are investigating the possibility of off site paid reprogramming, if such a thing exists. I've also considered the option of designing and building a lower sided, wider pan for her use since #2 seems to be the biggest issue, possibly due to her obesity (yes, she's on a diet) and a rib deformity.
I'm open to any suggestions - please, seriously, leave a comment - that don't involve things we've already tried or are doing. Or anything tragically flakey. Anything new, solid, tried and true? Because as much as I don't want to give her up, as big a failure as I would feel and as depressing as it would be, the whole living with biological land mines? Must end. And I'd prefer a solution that doesn't involve me feeling like the worst pet owner in the world. Help me out guys? Spray bottle doesn't work - she's like a ninja, never caught in the act. (sigh)
5 comments:
Kitty Prozac?
I don't know, I'm pulling at straws here... Perhaps she needs something stronger than the pheromone spray. Every time I see your cat she looks stressed to me. Perhaps Atavan... Oy.
Talk to your Vet about a more serious Drug intervention.
Sorry. I got nothing else.
Good Luck
Unfortunately house stress levels really affect cats - even if things don't seem to be as big of a deal to us.
For example: Rusty seems like a fairly low-key cat to most people. Truth is, though, when I was living with two other roomates it was a whole other story. We were all fighting a lot, and there were always strangers coming and going, and Rusty ended up developing a hair-pulling habit. He ended up stripping his belly of hair, as well as making twonie-sized bald patches on both hips. He was right stressed out! Now that he's in an environment that's stable, he's much better (all the hair's back - YAY!). Even still, he always runs away when we have company over.
Perhaps Ripley's still not convinced that house-renos are over? (Rusty still seems to think that my Dad visiting means we're moving again) Perhaps Ripley's picking up on your personal stresses over jobs and house-selling? Perhaps she's not a huge fan of company? Cats are uber-sensitive to those sorts of things.
I'm no cat expert, of course, but I'm just trying to understand what may be going on in Ripley's head. Perhaps she's just not relaxed yet? Perhaps she'll improve once the job/house stresses are over? It's a long shot, I know, but it's a possibility.
In the end, however, if you both are concerned that things in the house may never mesh with Ripley's nerves, then perhaps a parting of ways is necessary. It's a very sad thought, but sometimes these things happen. :(
We know you two will make the best, and most informed, decision. Whatever happens, we send you loads of love and support.
*love*
Ive got nothing :( Just love. I hope you find a solution...
My old boy Clarence (RIP) did the same kind of stuff for a long time and it drove me nuts too. Despite a visit to the vet, nothing was found. When I took him back again, suspicious that there really was something medical going on, well, they told me he had bacteria changes going on in his gut and that a change in his food was required, along with a round of antibiotics. That fixed the problem right up. If Ripley was a stray and was used to doing business anywhere she wanted, then you might try placing some plant life around the litter box, to make the facilities seem more outdoorsy. Good luck!
whoops, that was me, your cousin Karol that left that last post.
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