my poor cat...

we just moved two weeks ago - the second time in his 2 1/2 years that we have moved.

he has been so good. he's a little skittish of the lower level of the house where his litter box is (the house is a split) but he's been using it with no problems.

last night he peed on a pile of clothes next to DH's side of the bed

this morning he peed on the same side - this time on a sheet we have covering the window! (no curtains yet)

what is going on??

i have a call in to the vet, i am waiting to hear back if i should bring him in... but until then, any advice?

it's definitely not a dirty litter box thing, but we did start using new litter about the same time. could that be it???

update #1: the vet said to bring him in to check for crystals in his urine... he thinks the cat might have the beginnings of a blockage.

if it's not that, then it's behavioral... this is SO out of character for him, i hope we can figure it out.

update #2:

i am so sad... i had to leave him there at the vet.

in addition to the fact that he was showing "classic signs" of being blocked, at least partially, the vet said his belly was tender (i saw alfie flinch when he touched him) and his bladder felt slightly enlarged. they couldn't get a urine sample from him so they are keeping him overnight. we will know more in the morning. the vet said if it's a blockage it's a 3 day procedure involving a catheter, and then a special diet.

i would rather this be a behavioral issue... my poor kitty.

update #3:

so his urine test came back normal, thank goodness... the vet said it's most likely a behavioral issue (which i prefer!)

DH and i think we figured out the problem... in our new house, his litter box is on the lower level and he doesn't really like going down there, so we have been trying to spend time with him so he knows it's safe. plus, his litter box is right next to the boiler, and he seems to be skittish of the sound it makes when it turns on. we will see if he can get used to it and if he can't we'll move the box.

so far, it's been two days with no "accidents"!

Message edited 7/11/2008 8:35:58 AM.

Re: my poor cat...

Is the new litter very different from the old?

We've also moved twice in the last two years with our 2-yr old cat. In the new house she's still kinda scared b/c we always have some kind of construction going on... but she always uses her litter pan no matter what.

Where is his pan? Maybe he's scared of something that's near it?

I hope he's okay!

Re: my poor cat...

thanks jess... i don't know how different the littler is, i am pregnant so my DH has been cleaning it and buying the litter. i am going to check on him during lunch and go down to his litterbox area and see if there is anything there that might have spooked him.

Re: my poor cat...

bump for update and any more advice...

Re: my poor cat...

it could be a bunch of possibilities

1) a UTI can cause them to pee outside their box.

2)he could be just feeling reallly nervous about the move and is letting you know this.

3)maybe doesn't like the frequency the box is being cleaned and wants it cleaner?

4)he could sense that things are changing -- and I have heard that many cats can suddenly change behavior for a short time when their owner is pregnant. its like they sense a baby is on the way, and can act out.

If the vet says the kitty is fine, and no UTI, it might just be a slight behaviorial issue that probaby won't last too long!

Re: my poor cat...

bump for update...

Re: my poor cat...

I am so sorry to hear about your kitty. Atleast he is in good hands and they can help him feel better. Here are some and keep us updated.

Re: my poor cat...

Posted by MrsRJP

I am so sorry to hear about your kitty. Atleast he is in good hands and they can help him feel better. Here are some and keep us updated.

Re: my poor cat...

yaay for no accidents. Keep an eye on her, if the accidents stop then you have figured out the problem. It could be the beginnings of a UTI if the accidents happen again.

We had this issue with my dog not long ago,she would just pee without any warning

we took her to the vet andthey gave us a tablet to give her twice a day and it went away

HTH