Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi,

I have a six week old kitten named Isabella. She's a shelter kitten (who had no mom in sight) who has for the most part been a really well behaved kitty. Except for a couple of incidents! She's now peed on the bed twice, which I understand is a marking behaviour - that makes sense to me. However, this morning after she peed in the bed I got up and slept on the couch, to keep her company. While I was lying there she jumped up on the couch beside me and pooped right on the couch!! She's pooped outside her litterbox before, when we first got her. But always in dark corners of the apartment, which I understand. This is really strange.

We did just move her litterbox to a new location, but she didn't seem to be having any difficulties with it and was using it just fine.

Any ideas?

Thanks!

First of all you need to take the cat to the vet to see if there is an underlying medical problem such as a urinary infection.

Finally, if all else fails, ask your vet about using an antianxiety medication such as Buspar or Prozac. These very often work, however the decision to prescribe them will rest solely with your veterinarian who will be able to monitor the dosage and side effects.

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Smile, it will make them wonder what you are up to!

Thanks for the advice. She has a vet appointment tomorrow, so we'll get that end checked out.

I don't know what's going on. I just came home after being away for several hours and as soon as I sat on the couch she sat down right behind me and peed on the couch, in the same spot as this morning! Logically I know that this must all be in reaction to the litterbox move, but it seems so strange that she's doing it on the couch, while I'm sitting there!!! I could understand if she was retreating to a dark corner, but this is weird. I feel like she's trying to tell me something and I just don't know what!!!

k

She may indeed be trying to tell you something. If she is not sick, then she sounds like she is marking. From where she is going it sounds like she is marking you in her way. Have there been any changes to your schedule, your house or have you added a new pet or family member? Could she be seeing another cat outside?

Anyhow, very often anti-anxiety drugs will help with this problem.
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Smile, it will make them wonder what you are up to!

We moved her littbox, I'm sure that's it.

Although I hadn't thought about the schedule aspect - my boyfriend and I are both graduate students so our schedules shift constantly. It's entirely likely that that's also part of the problem.

Thanks for the advice!

>>Hi,
>>
>>I have a six week old kitten named Isabella. She's a shelter kitten (who had no mom in sight) who has for the most part been a really well behaved kitty. Except for a couple of incidents! She's now peed on the bed twice, which I understand is a marking behaviour - that makes sense to me. However, this morning after she peed in the bed I got up and slept on the couch, to keep her company. While I was lying there she jumped up on the couch beside me and pooped right on the couch!! She's pooped outside her litterbox before, when we first got her. But always in dark corners of the apartment, which I understand. This is really strange.
>>
>>We did just move her litterbox to a new location, but she didn't seem to be having any difficulties with it and was using it just fine.
>>
>>Any ideas?
>>
>>Thanks!

Since she's only 6 weeks old and was separated from her mother at a very young age, it's possible that she was never trained by her mother to use the litter box. It might be up to you to do the training. When you see her squating to go to the bathroom, quickly scoop her up and place her in the litter box. Praise her everytime that you see her using the litter box. Place some of her poop in that litter box to help her get the idea. Also, you might have good luck with Cat Attract cat litter as it's supposed to contain some herbs that draw cats to the litter box. You can purchase that at PetSmart for about $11 for 20 pounds. I've used it and think that it's pretty good. Good luck to you and let us know the results at the vet.

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Ruby and the Kitties
Simba, Samantha, Katrina & KatyKatt
Meow!! Meow!! Meow!! Meow!!

How wonderful to do nothing and then rest afterwards. Meow!

She's only six weeks old, you can't have had her for very long. That's why I doubt it's a behavioural problems as she isn't set yet in any habits.

The most likely is a UTI or other health problems. I hope you have her checked out by a vet.