Anyone tired of hearing...

[PatsGirl]

about my kitten woes It's just so foreign to me, having a kitten in the house. I've managed to raise four dogs from puppy-hood without any problems (they are all gone now) but this kitten has me scratching my head about all kinds of stuff.

So, a few weeks ago I posted about the kitten's aggressiveness and we (my DIS friends, IRL friends, and vet) all decided that it was just a kitty being a kitty. I also posted about his pee'ing on my couch and there were variations on the reasons for that but the vet came within a few days and told me that he was too young for a UTI and that marking is done vertically and that she was 99.9% sure that it was just an "accident".

One week later he peed in my shower. He waits patiently by the shower until I get out EVERY AM and then gets in and surveys the area So, about 10 days ago he peed in the shower...and this morning again but hasn't pee'd anywhere else in the house.

He is being slightly less aggressive and more lovable (or maybe we are doing a better job of training him and not allowing him to bite us), although he did lunge at me this am and bit my chin I've closed all the 2nd floor windows so that he doesn't fall out by climbing the screens and done some other "kitten-proofing" so that I feel he is safe while I go to work.

So, I'm just venting because he goes from the most adorable thing ever to a tyrant in 10.9 seconds flat...and I'm more than a little concerned about the shower incidents

 

[KAMKIM]

about my kitten woes It's just so foreign to me, having a kitten in the house. I've managed to raise four dogs from puppy-hood without any problems (they are all gone now) but this kitten has me scratching my head about all kinds of stuff.

So, a few weeks ago I posted about the kitten's aggressiveness and we (my DIS friends, IRL friends, and vet) all decided that it was just a kitty being a kitty. I also posted about his pee'ing on my couch and there were variations on the reasons for that but the vet came within a few days and told me that he was too young for a UTI and that marking is done vertically and that she was 99.9% sure that it was just an "accident".

One week later he peed in my shower. He waits patiently by the shower until I get out EVERY AM and then gets in and surveys the area So, about 10 days ago he peed in the shower...and this morning again but hasn't pee'd anywhere else in the house.

He is being slightly less aggressive and more lovable (or maybe we are doing a better job of training him and not allowing him to bite us), although he did lunge at me this am and bit my chin I've closed all the 2nd floor windows so that he doesn't fall out by climbing the screens and done some other "kitten-proofing" so that I feel he is safe while I go to work.

So, I'm just venting because he goes from the most adorable thing ever to a tyrant in 10.9 seconds flat...and I'm more than a little concerned about the shower incidents

Hmmm I've heard of cats doing this before - I guess of all places besides the toilet I'd rather he went there I have no advice because my cat is borderline evil...but

 

[PatsGirl]

Yeah, peeing in the shower in itself isn't a real problem only if it becomes his new litterbox and we have to keep the door open all the time, lol. But damn, cats are weird aren't they

 

[lisajl]

Hey, you could look to see if they have any help at this site. I have a friend that is currently in her last year of vet school and she told me about this site.

http://vet.osu.edu/indoorcat.htm

Hope it helps.

Lisa

 

[MomofKatie]

A tip about the agression- cats, just like people, have different temperaments. Some don't like to be touched in certain places, or don't want to be touched at certain times. Cats also can become overstimulated pretty easily- they aren't like dogs, who will let you pet them as long as you want. Once they have "had it", they will let you know, usually by swiping at you with claws bared or nipping.

There are usually some signs that lead up to this, though. One is the ears going back. Another is the tail twitching/"wagging". One of our cats will let out a fairly irritated sounding meow to let us know she's ready to stop the lovin'. Once you learn your kitty's signals, you should be able to avoid most of the nips and scratches.

Cat ownership is rewarding, but there is definitely a learning curve- they are very different from dogs!! Good luck- it sounds like your little spitfire is mellowing, though.

 

[LuvOrlando]

I don't know what that's about but it might not be a bad thing. When we got out cats my MIL told me she always kept the litter box in the tub/shower to keep the litter contained and that's where mine has been ever since. If you don't mind moving it every day having the litter box in there might work out, especially if that is where kitty is showing a preference.

BTW, I have had cats my entire life and have never ever been bitten or scratched on purpose. The only scratches I ever received would happen when one on my cats was sitting in my lap getting petted and then got the sudden kitty spook they all get which makes them leap off & out of the room in search of some unknown requiring immediate attention Silly kitties.

 

[PatsGirl]

Thanks Lisa for that website, it was very helpful. There seems to be so many reasons for "inappropriate" urination but I still can't pinpoint our reason The site did mention having a litter box on each floor due to laziness but I know many people who keep their litter box in the basement without problem which was my intention once the kitten got old enough to travel I think I better make sure we get this significant issue under control first though.

I think the scratching and biting is aggressive PLAY and seems to be lessening so we'll see how that progresses...

Thanks all for letting me vent, I'm sure I"ll be back