Conference misery::feline_v1

    have you had Buddy checked by a vet to be sure he doesn't have a
    urinary tract infection?
    
    Do you know about the enzyme cleaners (such as Nature's Miracle)
    that you can buy at pet shops that removeurine order from
    wherever the cat goes outside the box?
    
    The most easily tolerated litter is usually the no-perfume
    cheap litter a la supermarkets, actually.  Do you wash the
    box when you clean it (no harmful cleaners like Lysol)?
    I would guess with 2 cats you should change the box twice a week and
    scoop the stools out once or twice a day.
    
    Is the box in a quiet area where Buddy won't be startled?
    
    If the above don't help, you may need a second box elsewhere
    in the apartment.
    

    I would try a second box immediately.  Cats are very territorial and
    Buddy may want his own "space".  As for not covering - get a covered
    catbox.   Use basic clay litter ($3-$4 for 25 lbs) and mix a little
    baking soda in with it.
    
    Nancy DC

    I would also add that cats' definitions of clean vary considerably and
    Buddy may simply prefer a cleaner box.  There's not much you can do
    about that except accomodate him.
    

    My cats displayed exactly the same 'symptoms' - doing their duty
    outside the litter box and then scratching the side of the litter box.
    The simple remedy was to clean the box more often. Since I was on a
    tight budget too, my vet advised to scoop out the solids once or twice
    a day. That meant that I had to change the actual cat litter only every
    second or third day.
    
    The result: happy pussycat, happy me, no smell! Even my father, who
    has a very sensitive nose, remarked on the lack of "cat smell" that he
    was used to from his youth.
    
    Gilla
    (from Germany, but now Reading, UK)

    
    I second the idea of two boxes, scooping at least once a day the
    solids.  With two boxes we only have to change once a week and bad
    habits have been eliminated.  One guy never covers it up and scratches
    the side of the box but at least he now hits the box!  I also use
    plastic garbage bags as liners which makes the changing real easy and
    neat.

    I had the same problem with my cats' box.  One cat didn't seem to 
    care what kind of litter we used, but the other did.  I had all the
    same problems you had and tried all the suggestions, but the only
    thing that worked was that I changed to the plain clay litter and the
    problem was solved!  We haven't had an "accident" since!
    

    I second the motions on clay litter (Scamp or Soft Paw are two
    examples), scooping solids out once or twice a
    day, and two litter boxes.  I had the same problem with Nymets and that
    cured him, along with using the enzyme cleaner to get rid of the smell
    from where he had been going.  That's important because the smell will
    draw the cat back to go in the same place.
    
    If Buddy is going in the same place you may want to try putting down
    tin foil in front of the spot, arranging it so he would have no choice
    but to walk across it to get to the area.  Most cats don't like the
    sound and feel of the tin foil.
    
    Also, be sure to praise Buddy to high heaven when he gets it right -
    maybe even give him a treat.  You want to make him want to repeat his
    actions.
    
    Last but not least, do not leave piles of clothes or newspapers around. 
    I don't know where Buddy's doing his thing but clothes and newspapers
    are attractive to some.
    
    Hang in there.  Almost all of us have gone through the same thing but
    with patience and consistence you can cure him.  It took about a week
    of doing the above and Nymets was back to using the box.  He never made
    a mistake again and it's been over six months.
      
    Good Luck,
    
    Terry
    

    To remove the existing urine smell from carpets, wood, and other
    furniture try Od-er-mute (or something like that)  I get mine from the
    local feed and grain in West Acton (Mass).  It works like a
    charm--Guido Tiggerini would have been an ex cat if it had not.  (He
    doesn't do that kind of think (spray) any more-he grew up, he said.)
    
    
    Best of luck. 
    
    Me and the pack
    

    You may now know the reason why Buddy was at the Humane Society.  Some
    folks just won't take the time to train their animals.  Trying all
    avenues will be worth your time and efforts.
    
    I use a large sized wash bin (about the size of a round laundry basket)
    for Tubbs.  He is a large cat and likes his "space" when using the
    bathroom.  It is also high enough so that if he scratches the sides, he
    isn't scratching the wall or floor.  I've been using a trash bag as the
    liner, not only is it easy clean up, it saves on having to wash out the
    pail every litter change.

	We are trying several things right now, and thanks a lot for
	all of your valuable input.  This notes file is an excellent
	resource for info on cats.  It truly is the cat's meow (sorry).

	Some info I didn't pass on before.  We do use a liner in the
	box, so the box itself is always clean.  The reason the previous
	owner's brought Buddy to the Humane Society was "Doesn't get
	along with baby", which is kinda hard to believe and makes me
	wonder whether this problem is the real reason.  Finally, I have 
	used the clay kitty litter with no perfumes.

	We are going to try two litter boxes.  And poop scooping.  A
	question I have is can we flush the poop down the toilet, or
	will the litter cause plumbing problems?  What do you do with
	the poop when you scoop?

	One other side note.  I brought Buddy to my folks home this
	weekend.  He sniffed in a corner and then let it fly, right
	in front of me!!!  I couldn't believe it.  My parents' home has
	several cats, and in the past one of them used to pee everywhere.
	Possibly Buddy picked up this scent and decided to go there as
	well.  Now I'm faced with what do I do with Buddy when I go home?
	I can't have him peeing everywhere in my folks home, and $9 a day
	for each day I'm home can get expensive.  I usually go home about 
	once a month for the weekend.  Any ideas about this?

	Thanks,
		>>Pete

    Buddy is doing what seems to him to be the best thing at your parent's
    house, he is marking his territory.  The best thing to do would
    be to confine him at your folk's house so that he doesn't ruin
    anything.  You can either keep him in one room, or maybe buy a tokyo
    cage to keep at your parent's for your visits.
    
    Jo

    If it's a fairly short visit to your folks, you might
    leave Buddy at your home, with enough food and more than
    one water dish in case he tips one over.  (dry food, not
    wet so it won't spoil.)
    
    I suspect he might be happier at home than in an environment
    that is strange and occupied by other cat smells.
    
    Ideally a neighbor that you trust could also look in
    on him and perhaps feed him once or twice a day.
    

    If he's spraying (peeing on vertical surfaces) perhaps you could talk
    to your vet about ovaban - female hormones.  But I'd save that for
    a last resort and it would only be a temporary thing to help you
    stabilize his behavior.
      Nancy

	For all of you who have helped with the previously mentioned
	problem and for those interested, here's the final update.

	After getting a second litter box and the sand type of cat
	litter, Buddy has improved tremendously.  He did have one
	problem of going on the carpet where he had gone before,
	even after cleaning well with Nature's Miracle.  To remedy
	that, we keep the door to that bedroom closed all the time.
	All is well now.  Buddy likes the new box, but does share
	it with Buster, and Buddy uses the old one from time to time.
	He seems very happy with our solution, and so are we.  Thanks
	again for all of your input.

	Pete & Buddy & Buster

    Sometimes the solution is just that simple  :^)  Glad your
    problem is solved.