Conference misery::feline_v1

    Urinating in inappropriate places always calls for a vet trip to be
    sure there isn't a urinary tract infection.  But bathroom rugs are
    notorious targets, especially if they're shag or semi-shag;  she'll
    probably have to do without the rug.  If he then starts going
    elsewhere, there may be other problems -- a not sufficiently clean
    litterbox, too much traffic near the litterbox, perfumed litter, etc.
    

    Granted, my crew has had more then it's share of the urinary tract
    problems, but I have to agree with Karen about the bathroom rug as a
    target. I've found that any bathroom rug which has a non-skid or
    rubber-like backing is a target. I seemed to have solved the problem
    by getting plain old woven cloth rugs.
    
    Deb

    
    What can a kitty "shrink" do?
    
    Well I don't know exactly what type of therapist your friend is taking
    her cat to but I don know that non-verbal communication with animals is
    possible and can be very rewarding.  You may learn more about your pet
    than you thought possible and it can be used to discover the root of
    certain behavior problems.  Once the problem is discovered, treatment
    can begun, usually with behavior modification and natural remedies.
    And yes it really does work (I know from experience) but it is not a
    magic cure.  It will involve time, patience, and possibly a change in 
    the owners beliefs. (this statement is not meant as a put down-- just
    that most people are abit reserved about this)
    
    MaryAnne

    I have to agree that the non-skid bathroom rug is definately a target. 
    My cat, without fail, refuses to use the litter box if the rug is down
    on the bathroom floor.  No matter how many times I remove the rug and
    run it through the washing machine, if I put it on the floor, it
    becomes her favorite place to relieve herself.  If I remove the rug,
    she uses the litter box.  She doesn't relieve herself anywhere else in
    the house.
    
    My vote is to remove the rug and forget the "shrink".
    
    Lori B.

Don't forget to thoroughly clean the 'target area' with a cleaner that will
remove any trace of previous 'attacks' (i.e. Natures Miracle or other such 
enzyme cleaner). 

    When I first heard of animal therapy I felt somewhat as you do. 
    Then my vet got a new addition about a year ago and this kitty had
    a problem with pooping in various places.  Scott tried everything he
    could on his own, but nothing worked - so he broke down and called
    someone.  He, now, can't say enough about her - so obviously the work
    she did with the cat and the advice she gave to Scott and his family
    worked.
    
    Giudi

    The last, or one before, edition of Cat Fancy addressed this problem
    very well.  Try and get a copy, I read it in my Vet's waiting room.

    
           I had a kitty once, may he rest in peace,  that used to use
    my bathroom scatter rug.  It was one of those foambacked shaggy ones.
    None of the other many kitties I have had have ever done that, but he
    did.  But he was later diagnosed with FELV, which he probably had had
    for a while before he actually died from it.  Maybe he was pain those
    last 1 or 2 years........
    
           I just got rid of the rug................
    
    
           Denise and the gnag of 11

    Denise, I'm sure your kitty was just using the bathroom rug because
    these rugs come with an invisible-to-humans sign that says "pee here."
    Please don't make yourself unhappy imagining bad improbable things, as
    we all seem to do when we lose a kitty....