bad kitty

My cat is acting out now that DH & I are back to work FT. Naboo is 9 and totally knows where her litter is....however she's been peeing on my DR curtains every day! The vet said to lock her in the basement with her litter box until she starts peeing there again. I feel bad, but I just can't keep cleaning up after her (especially with getting our 6 month DD to daycare on time)...How do I get her back to "going" downstairs? I have tired extra attention and putting her in the box to remind her where it is!

Suggestions?

Re: bad kitty

it may actually be your 6 month old that is stressing poor kitty out. If he has ruled out any urinary issues and blood test ruled out bladder inflamation, I agree with the advice of your vet. Keep kitty isolated for a week or two with the litter box. There is also some anti-anxiety medication available that can help.

ETS:
Also, is there a reason that she may not want to go down in the basement? Are her joints bothering her? Did the oil burner go off and give her a scare? What if you tried moving the litter box upstairs?

Message edited 9/12/2011 11:07:58 AM.

Re: bad kitty

that's what we thought....for the last 6 months, someone has always been home...now she's alone.

we took bloodwork and she's 100% healthy per the vet...no UTI or infection. he's pretty confident it's behavioral.

we've had the litter box in the basement since we moved in, so for almost 2 years, without any problem. i'd hate to change that....especially cause she's not going in different places. it's always on my DR curtains! we washed them (and the floor) to make sure the smell is out, but she keeps going back.

i guess i'll try the isolation.

thanks for responding!

Re: bad kitty

what did you wash the area and curtains with? Did you use an enzyme cleaner like Nature's Miracle? If not, the smell can still be there and she'll keep going there. I had to use it in my laundry since my cat kept peeing in my laundry

Re: bad kitty

i have something similar...maybe i'll get that. your cat was going in the laundry??? how awful!! i put her in the basement last night, checked on her today. still no pee and i don't want her upstairs till she goes in the box. hopefully this will happen by the time i leave work. thanks for responding!

Re: bad kitty

Yes, and of course only MY clothes...never DH's...apparently she was marking me as her "own." See how loved I am

You're really going to need to keep her isolated in the basement with her food, water and litter box for a week or so until you see she is consistently using it again. you didnt change her litter right? Does the litter box need to be cleaned...as in litter removed and washed down? Cats are so freaky when it comes to their litter box

Re: bad kitty

haha, of course...like you needed that extra attention!

i'm glad you understand! she'd been in the basement for 24 hours now. s till no pee in the box...i've looked around and don't smell anything so hopefully soon it will happen. there's is poo, so she knows where to go.

no new litter, everything is clean. i just feel so bad when i hear her at the door. hopefully she'll miss roaming the house and be a better kitty.

thanks again!