Comments on: Correct Cat Behavior Problems Using Feline Behavior Modification

By: Lorie Huston, DVM

Lorie Huston, DVM — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 16:41:01 +0000

What kind of problem, Kathy?

By: Kathy

Kathy — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 01:46:28 +0000

Need help with litter box problem.

By: Lorie Huston, DVM

Lorie Huston, DVM — Sun, 02 Oct 2011 02:02:25 +0000

Hi Mary.

I’m sorry you’re having litter box issues with Ginger. That can be terribly frustrating and I certainly understand. But putting her outside is not the answer, in my opinion.

Keep focusing on making her litter box as attractive as possible. Even with the Prozac this remains important. Keep the litter box as clean as possible. Use unscented litter. Don’t cover the litter box. Provide more than one litter box and make sure they are located in quiet areas where Ginger won’t be disturbed or frightened when using them. Keep in mind also that changes in routine can cause stress for Ginger that may affect her litter box usage. Try to keep your routines as close to the same as possible and be patient with Ginger if changes are unavoidable.

Good luck to all of you. Let us know how you make out with Ginger.

By: Mary

Mary — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 00:41:58 +0000

Hi there! I came across this blog while doing some other research. I certainly could use some help…
I moved a little over a year ago-with a cat, dog, and child in tow. We moved about 10 hours away from where we were all from. Everyone adjusted fine to the new surroundings except my cat. I rescued Ginger when she was about 4 weeks old, and lived in one house until we moved. About a month after the move Ginger started to pee all around the house. She would poo in the box, but would pee elsewhere (often in very strange places-the bathtub, the kitchen sink, the kitchen table). We tried changing litter, changing boxes, having more boxes, using newspapaer rather than litter, removing existing pee spots, and all of the “over the counter drugs”-feliway, litter attract, etc.
After over two months of trying new things, and cleaning we went to the vet. It was behavioral, and he recommended prozac. After just a couple of treatments she began using the litter box all the time! Over this summer even with the medication, she began to pee all over the house again. I talked to the vet, and he suggested leaving her in one room for the majority of the day. (That way the urine is only in one place.) I tried this, and she whines and meows the entire time!
At this point I am unsure of how to proceed. My husband wants her to be an outside cat, but she has only been an indoor kitty. Is there any other medications that you could suggest? THanks, Mary

By: Lorie Huston, DVM

Lorie Huston, DVM — Wed, 27 Jul 2011 09:42:01 +0000

This is normal, but still inappropriate, kitten behavior. Your kitten simply needs to learn what is expected of him. I would not engage him in any play behavior using your hands or feet. Use interactive toys for him to chase or stalk when you play with him.

When he stalks your hands or feet, stop moving so that he loses interest. You can also carry a bottle filled with coins or marbles to shake when he stalks you, using the noise to distract him out of the activity.

Good luck in correcting this behavior for him!

By: Carlos A

Carlos A — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 18:15:01 +0000

We have a 3 month old kitten that we’ve had since he was 4 weeks old. He started playfully biting our (my wife and I) hands and feet when he was smaller and we tried correcting it by grabbing his back skin and pulling him off. But now that he’s older he continues to bite but this time a lot harder and has started stalking our hands and feet while sitting down or laying in bed. He’s been neutered already and gotten his shots so we’re not worried about transmitting diseases or too much aggression. Is this normal? how can we correct it?

By: Anita

Anita — Mon, 04 Jul 2011 13:48:06 +0000

Thanks, Laurie I could really use your help!

By: Lorie Huston, DVM

Lorie Huston, DVM — Wed, 29 Jun 2011 04:21:19 +0000

Hi Paula. I’m sorry your “kids” aren’t getting along. I have the same problem periodically with two of my cats. In your case, with the other cat hanging around outside, I would wonder if there isn’t some misdirected aggression going on. You might try some motion activated alarms or similar to keep the stray cat away from the windows, etc. If there’s a way to block off the view from the windows, that might help also.

Feliway is another thing I would try. It helps with my cats. I use the diffuser – just plug it in and change the refill once a month.

Take a look at the Indoor Pet Initiative for more advice. In particular, make sure both of them have plenty of hiding places and perches. Also, if you haven’t already done so, think about additional feeding and water stations and litter boxes. We don’t want them squabbling over resources.

Good luck and please keep in touch. Let us know how things work out.

By: Paula

Paula — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 17:55:15 +0000

Hi Lorie – Help! I have two purebred Tonkinese, very intelligent and playful. Jay and Chloe are litter brother and sister, have grown up together and never been separated. They are 4 and 1/2 years old and 5 weeks ago, sseemingly out of nowhere, started fighting. I was in the room at the time, they were sitting on their favorite cat tree and window sill, watching the ducks on the pond (their favorite past time) when Chloe screamed and ran, and then as a result, Jay chased her and started attacking her. Later that day, I saw a big grey cat outside the window, so I think that’s what initially triggered the scare. The problem now is, it’s been happening every few days. Anytime Chloe runs, Jay chases, then she gets scared and turns on him agressively, then they fight. Later, he’s sorry, but she takes days to accept him again. He seems to be becoming more agressive each time and it’s escalating. Sunday night I came home to find a big chunk bitten out of her back leg, and her hiding from him terrified. Today’s Tuesday, her leg is healing, this morning she just started to accept him again, but she moved to quick, the chase started, and here we go all over again. I’m considering getting him physically checked out by my Vet. Do you think he may need some sort of sedative to help calm the agression?

By: Lorie Huston, DVM

Lorie Huston, DVM — Fri, 24 Jun 2011 15:36:44 +0000

Hi, Anita. Please stay tuned. I will be answering your question in a separate post in a few days.