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Clumping litter is bad for kittens. The general thought is, no clumping under 6 months old.
Yes, adding a box with clay litter is a good idea. I'm sorry I didn't go into more detail about how to do a litter change,obviously even for a baby it needs to be a gradual thing. Bobbles may turn out to be one of those cats who prefers to poop in one spot and pee in another, and for that two boxes is a must.
Pine litter has a different scent that the perfumed litter you were using before, so that was confusing her too, along with the change in texture. Leave the box of pine, since she is using it and add a box with plain (no scent) clay.
I hope it works. She peed in my laptop carrier. I threw it away.
No, she wasn't punished. I don't even punish my dogs. That's not my style, never has been.
I removed all textiles from my first floor. Only hard surfaces remain, except the largest area rug I can't move myself and my upholstered furniture. My first floor is completely bare now.
I can't confine her. There is nowhere to do it. My first floor is entirely open concept with no doors. My bathrooms were recently remodeled and my husband hasn't put the trim in yet. Since there is a small gap between the drywall and the floors, I'm concerned she could get between the walls. (My Persian did that once when I moved to a new house.) There is wall to wall carpeting in every bedroom but my son's. Plus there are beds in the bedrooms so that wouldn't be an option anyway. And the larger cage my neighbor gave me has bars too far apart. I fear her head will get caught between them.
I have no idea what's going to happen, but I'm going to keep this thread going so there is a record of it for anyone who is searching the internet when they rescue a dying kitten from the road. Maybe they'll have more successes learning from my mistakes.
Personally, I would get rid of the litter that she hates.....before her inappropriate behavior becomes a habit.
After I took in my last stray....one of my older cats started peeing on the carpet, cat beds, etc. My vet said I had to confine her for at least two weeks by herself to get her back in the habit of using the litter box.
{Funny....she still pooped in the litter box.....just like your little girl....what's up with that?}
It worked.....but I wouldn't want you to have to resort to that with this little one under the circumstances.
Removing everything that might attract her is a great first step.....now.....get rid of the litter that seems to have started the whole problem. You probably should also start putting her in the litter box at appropriate times too....just like you did in the beginning......it certainly couldn't hurt.
Don't paint me as the enemy here, I am simply giving another point of view. I wasn't taking the OP to task, just pointing out that there is an adjustment period, especially with a very young pet, that you have to be aware of and tolerate. Puppies are probably worse that kittens in that regard, they will be peeing all over the place and chewing up stuff until they get out of that puppy stage. At least kittens are much better in that regard.
They will sometimes screw up if you leave clothing or towels on the floor, they see them as a place to go to the bathroom. You have to make sure you keep things off the floor until they get it in their heads that the litter box is where they are supposed to go.
As for my suggestion that the kitten might be better placed somewhere else, I am simply looking out for the welfare of the kitten. We cat and kitten owners/lovers are aware of the issues that can come up when adopting a kitten and not everyone is willing or able to accept and work through those issues. It takes a lot of patience and understanding, and even the most pet loving person can be frustrated at times.
Don
I can somewhat understand what Don is trying to say. You are reading text but not necessarily hearing tone! It's not that people should just try to rehome a pet when they rescue them, but the question is, was she ready to become a new pet owner? I love animals to no end and wish I could rescue all in need. I think that people should be "ready" to own a pet as it's years of responsibility, lots of patience. Just driving down the road and seeing an abandoned pet and rescuing it doesn't make you necessarily ready to take on the future responsibility for that animal. When I am reading Hopes posts, I see her as having an incredibly huge heart, a responsible pet owner to her dog. I am clearly seeing alot of frustration which is understandable. She wasn't expecting to be driving down the road to find this kitty. Now if she decides to rehome it, I would have nothing but the utmost respect for her. Just because you find an abandoned animal doesn't mean you are obligated to keep it because everyone else around you is thinking that is the right thing to do. When I read her posts, I am thinking she wasn't ready to take on this job, it doesn't mean she isn't a responsible pet owner.
After I took in my last stray....one of my older cats started peeing on the carpet, cat beds, etc. My vet said I had to confine her for at least two weeks by herself to get her back in the habit of using the litter box.
I'll start disinfecting the bathroom floor. Is a bathroom too large of an area for confinement?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Annie53
Removing everything that might attract her is a great first step.....now.....get rid of the litter that seems to have started the whole problem. You probably should also start putting her in the litter box at appropriate times too....just like you did in the beginning......it certainly couldn't hurt.
There's no option but to try a new litter. She peed right on my son's hardwood floor right in front of me just now. My son had her peeing in the litter last night via putting her in. He woke me up to tell me of the great success. I just woke up and went in. I should have put her right into the litter. I cleaned it up with toilet paper and shoved the toilet paper into the litter.
Hey, she's still the cutest thing. She was playing with the bottom of my son's curtain, had all four claws into it and was suspended an inch above the floor. It was just too adorable.
I can somewhat understand what Don is trying to say. You are reading text but not necessarily hearing tone! It's not that people should just try to rehome a pet when they rescue them, but the question is, was she ready to become a new pet owner? I love animals to no end and wish I could rescue all in need. I think that people should be "ready" to own a pet as it's years of responsibility, lots of patience. Just driving down the road and seeing an abandoned pet and rescuing it doesn't make you necessarily ready to take on the future responsibility for that animal. When I am reading Hopes posts, I see her as having an incredibly huge heart, a responsible pet owner to her dog. I am clearly seeing alot of frustration which is understandable. She wasn't expecting to be driving down the road to find this kitty. Now if she decides to rehome it, I would have nothing but the utmost respect for her. Just because you find an abandoned animal doesn't mean you are obligated to keep it because everyone else around you is thinking that is the right thing to do. When I read her posts, I am thinking she wasn't ready to take on this job, it doesn't mean she isn't a responsible pet owner.
I was ready to be a pet owner. I wasn't ready to rescue a feral kitten. Who is? It's not something you can plan. That doesn't matter though. I've rescued many dying dogs on the road and have taken them to the hospital in the middle of the night at my expense. I can't NOT help a dying or injured animal. It's my nature.
I had been contemplating a cat for a few months. I've owned four cats in my life. I just haven't owned one in 20-some years. And they were all normal aged and came into my house knowing how to use the litter when they were kittens. All of my pets throughout my life were lifetime commitments who lived 15 years or more---one living to an amazing 22 years old.
I started this thread for help because I had no idea what to do. She was lifeless when I found her, and I was heading back to pick her up at the vet without any idea of what to expect. I appreciate those of you who are you sticking with me here during the hard times and still helping me with advice.
No matter what happens, we still saved this kitten's life at considerable expense, an expense not many people would put forward. I want her to work out, but if she doesn't, I don't think that makes me a terrible person. She is being treated with lots of love. We are giving her a great start for her second life---wherever she spends it. We treat her and her second life like a miracle because she truly is a miracle in our eyes.
There's good stuff happening too. She's playing with the dog now!
But the focus right now is on this problem because it's a serious problem that needs to be resolved.
The problem is entirely the new litter. She is making that very clear. She will poop in it but she refuses to pee in it. She is peeing on her blankets instead.
Then set up another litterpan with plain clay litter and give her a choice. I'm not surprised one of those strange unnatural litters would turn her off. Cats use the earth in nature, not pine needles or compressed newspapers and blue and white crystals and all the other strange litters I see at Petco and PetsMart.
But the focus right now is on this problem because it's a serious problem that needs to be resolved.
Get rid of the litter you're using now and use plain unscented clay in a low pan. Keep the pan near where she spends most of her time. Callie had accidents in the RV where she was quarantined until I switched her to unscented litter. From the day I switched, she hasn't had one accident.
I totally understand where you are coming from Hopes! I didn't expect to bring home my feral little guys and each one of mine came with their own set of problems (one with CH, another with a hernia that was extremely afraid of humans, one that peed outside the box ripped curtains off the wall hardware and all, one that hissed and bit us and the other had severe diarrhea and tons of fleas....plus almost all had URI's and the kitty herpes virus). I remember crying at times because I didn't know how we were going to handle it. Plus I wasn't sure if all 7 (5 new feral kittens and two adult Goldens) would ever get along. Within just a few short months though I was AMAZED at how well everyone was getting along and how each one started to deal with their initial challenges/problems.
So my advice to you (and it is just advice from what I went through) is to try to confine your new little guy to a bathroom for at least a week. Put his litter box (preferably two of them with different kinds) his water and food bowls, a little kitty bed (that can be thrown in the washer should he pee on it) and some toys and a scratching post in there with him. You or your son go in every few hours if you can and just sit on the floor with him. If he comes up to you for lovings great...if he is not in the mood at that time fine just talk to him. He may cry a bit after you leave or you may hear him scratch on the door....but as hard as it may be...just let him be confined right now....he will be fine. If you need to still make sure he is getting enough nourishment try the KMR (already premixed and ready). Mine lapped it up like crazy (they hated the powder version though)! My really sick kitty was under 1 ounce when we found him and he fattened up really fast with the KMR!
Most of all try not to worry too much (I know easier said than done). Know that you are doing a GREAT job and that you gave this little guy a second chance at life! He is doing 100% better than he would have had you just turned away which is what so many others would have done! Make sure to get sleep!!! That was probably my biggest issue due to the night time feedings. And if you should ever have thoughts of having to rehome him don't feel bad!!! Those are normal thoughts when you take in a rescue that you didn't expect to.
Big Hugs!!!
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