Rescue cat problems
Discussion
We rescued yet another cat a couple of months or so ago, a big 5.5kg male long haired tabby.
He was originally semi feral living on a farm & along with his sister was taken in to the shelter as they had too many cats.
The shelter staff did an amazing job of socialising him, he is very soft & affectionate and everybody loves him to bits, even our existing cat accepts him
The trouble is, he keeps messing in the house, mainly on MY side of the bed! Three times now on my side of the bed, once on my floordrobe, once or twice in our daughters room (our bedroom door shut) & once in the dining room. This has been a mixture of No.1's & No.2's
We've spoken to the cat shelter & they have said he's trying to get MY attention, so I've gone out of my to pay him more. He's still doing it. They say he's still a little scared of his new environment & possibly the OH's dog (Westie) isn't helping as he will chase given a chance.
We have tried keeping him in the kitchen (catflap to outside) but it's not fair on the other cat, we've also tried keeping our bedroom door shut but there's always that time you forget + he messes elsewhere too. We have also tried the suggestion of leaving food in the bedroom but they eat it & you forget to refill it!
Nobody wants to lose him but we can't continue like this, going to bed at 11pm to find you need to change all the bedding...
The Vet has agreed with the cat shelter & said it will take time, maybe put a litter tray upstairs (yuk). They don't have a litter tray currently as they both have access to outdoors. In general he seems to be settling in really well, never had a dirty cat before & not sure what to do!
He was originally semi feral living on a farm & along with his sister was taken in to the shelter as they had too many cats.
The shelter staff did an amazing job of socialising him, he is very soft & affectionate and everybody loves him to bits, even our existing cat accepts him
The trouble is, he keeps messing in the house, mainly on MY side of the bed! Three times now on my side of the bed, once on my floordrobe, once or twice in our daughters room (our bedroom door shut) & once in the dining room. This has been a mixture of No.1's & No.2's
We've spoken to the cat shelter & they have said he's trying to get MY attention, so I've gone out of my to pay him more. He's still doing it. They say he's still a little scared of his new environment & possibly the OH's dog (Westie) isn't helping as he will chase given a chance.
We have tried keeping him in the kitchen (catflap to outside) but it's not fair on the other cat, we've also tried keeping our bedroom door shut but there's always that time you forget + he messes elsewhere too. We have also tried the suggestion of leaving food in the bedroom but they eat it & you forget to refill it!
Nobody wants to lose him but we can't continue like this, going to bed at 11pm to find you need to change all the bedding...
The Vet has agreed with the cat shelter & said it will take time, maybe put a litter tray upstairs (yuk). They don't have a litter tray currently as they both have access to outdoors. In general he seems to be settling in really well, never had a dirty cat before & not sure what to do!
Google middening, its not that uncommon. We sometimes have issues with one of ours when we are away but fortunately his chosen spot is the bath!
You could try Feliway. I haven't but people speak well of it.
A litter tray may not be ideal but its better than the bed surely? We have a covered one, looks a bit like a cat box. If you keep on top of it then it should be ok.
Fingers crossed you get it sorted.
You could try Feliway. I haven't but people speak well of it.
A litter tray may not be ideal but its better than the bed surely? We have a covered one, looks a bit like a cat box. If you keep on top of it then it should be ok.
Fingers crossed you get it sorted.
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