Topic: How to Litter train a roaming Tom? (Read 9231 times)

samandred · « **Reply #37 on:** April 17, 2007, 22:33:48 PM »

Thank you... he did love it so

Debbie · « **Reply #36 on:** April 17, 2007, 22:04:07 PM »

Ahhh he's lovely and having bags of fun in that box!

samandred · « **Reply #35 on:** April 17, 2007, 21:07:39 PM »

By the way, here is a short film I made about Preet that I really enjoyed making (though it's not that well shot) but I loved editing it to music (provided by John Powell)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PCi5_LcMPJA

samandred · « **Reply #34 on:** March 31, 2007, 14:07:50 PM »

The internet is a pace devoid of the usual cues we all get through face to face interaction, we are bound to collide into each others sensibiltities from time to time

Ela · « **Reply #33 on:** March 31, 2007, 04:31:45 AM »

Perhaps at this time in the morning things don't seem as they are meant, I am only up because my neck is killing me, well I hope it does not actually finish me off

Hippykitty · « **Reply #32 on:** March 31, 2007, 04:18:10 AM »

It was a tongue-in-cheek reference to the face that we often have differing opinions. It wasn't intended to insult.

JOKE!!

Ela · « **Reply #31 on:** March 31, 2007, 03:56:39 AM »

Quote

I rarely agree with Ela but everything is good natured.

I personally do not feel that remark was called for, but hay ho such is life.

Hippykitty · « **Reply #30 on:** March 31, 2007, 01:43:01 AM »

Thanks for the follow up. I hope your family and Preet live happily together.

Please come here if you ever need any help in the future. Some of us have varying attitudes concerning the best way to go about things (I rarely agree with Ela

but everything is good natured.

Welcome to the world of cats!

samandred · « **Reply #29 on:** March 30, 2007, 17:14:18 PM »

If people agree here, it tends to be the best solution or advice, if there are competing theories, then I have more choice...

which is either a healthy attitude to diversity of an indication I have no spine of my own

Ela · « **Reply #28 on:** March 30, 2007, 16:15:54 PM »

Quote

Does that mean there are those that bother to pist and then whinge about what they hear?

Oh yes, but that is life, isn't. I know we cannot all agree

all the time and we are not vets but occasionally we do agree.

samandred · « **Reply #27 on:** March 30, 2007, 16:02:54 PM »

Mostly I recognise that most people on this forum know more than me as I am a new cat owner and, as with all things, I'll inform my decision with the views of everyone here who takes the time to tell me what I need to hear.

No one on this forum has ever spoken to me like I am stupid and people have made it clear that I can take their advice without giving away my choice and that is the main reason I am willing to listen, that plus the issues I bring are those that I feel ill equipped to sort myself.

Does that mean there are those that bother to pist and then whinge about what they hear?

Ela · « **Reply #26 on:** March 30, 2007, 15:11:05 PM »

Quote

Not that I will not debate

Debate is not a bad thing but to ask as question and then argue when everyone but you sings from the same hymn sheet is another matter.

samandred · « **Reply #25 on:** March 30, 2007, 11:31:07 AM »

That he chooses to be with us is the best we might have hoped for...

and yes, I do feel that I have come to the site to learn. Not that I will not debate if I disagree but I recognise my lack of experience...

Bye

CurlyCatz · « **Reply #24 on:** March 30, 2007, 10:17:02 AM »

great news that he sounds happy and settled and CHOOSES to be with you

Ela · « **Reply #23 on:** March 30, 2007, 09:59:09 AM »

Quote

any advice is welcome...

it all adds up to my education

I have only just noticed this post. What a refreshing change. a relatively newbie poster who is willing to listen and learn rather than ask a question then argue that we have not given the right answer.

Quote

Now, he comes and goes as he pleases but this is his home and though he may visit others, it's all good.

Please make sure that 'the others' know you are the 'owner' so they do not feed or flea and worm. As you know too much food is not good and it would be dangerous if it were flead and wormed at more than one home.

samandred · « **Reply #22 on:** March 30, 2007, 09:46:58 AM »

One last update to say how things have gone since I came here for advice...

Everything is great. After keeping him for two weeks, he has really settled and we feel very much that he wants to be here with us. Yes, it was painful keeping him in when I could see his need to go off but we held our heads together and let him out when it felt right rather than when the time limit was up and it worked wonders.

Now, he comes and goes as he pleases but this is his home and though he may visit others, it's all good.

He even still uses his litter tray now and then even though he is free to leave and does so.

Once again, thank you

Hippykitty · « **Reply #21 on:** March 11, 2007, 18:02:32 PM »

No, I'm not a VN. I've spent my entire life with cats (family's and my own) except for 3yrs at Uni. During this time I've gathered a lot of information about them from reading and just knowing them. I'm also a hypochondriac with a distrust of doctors and vets. So each time something is wrong with me, my friends, or my cats, I read everything I can find concerning the subject. I just love cats and one of my hobbies is painting them.
I can usually make a shrewd guess at what is wrong with a cat and whether a vet trip is needed; but I don't have vetinerary training. Lynne and Amanda are VN and probably the best people to ask if you have detailed vet questions.

Millys Mum · « **Reply #20 on:** March 11, 2007, 17:50:54 PM »

Lynn & Amanda mad4moggies are VN's.

Samandred, as he has been in since Friday night, has he used his tray ok?

I feel so mean withholding breakfast before taking in a neuter!

ccmacey · « **Reply #19 on:** March 11, 2007, 17:47:07 PM »

Hippykitty just asking are you a VN? or something like. I like to know who to ask in certain situations.

samandred · « **Reply #18 on:** March 11, 2007, 17:37:52 PM »

Desley and Hippycat, those are both massively good suggestions. We shall make all items high on the action point plan...

most important, we have alternatives if things don't work one way...

Desley (booktigger) · « **Reply #17 on:** March 11, 2007, 09:40:40 AM »

Fingers crossed - some strays are fine with the tray - if he does go out of the tray, put what he has done in his tray, so he can associate the smell with it - for wee, Wizz normally recommends wiping the tissue round the tray, if the tray is too clean, he might not understand that is where he is supposed to go - and if he picks a place, you might as well just put a tray there, I have had to have trays in odd places as that is where they preferred to go!!

Hippykitty · « **Reply #16 on:** March 11, 2007, 02:19:16 AM »

The soil idea is a very good one as this is what he's used to.

Until he's neutered, he may spray, but this is to be expected. Try to avoid it, because it will encourage him to spray in the same place after he's been 'done'. If he does spray, clean it thoroughly with biological washing powder to get rid of the smell.

To encourage him to use the tray, scratch the soil/litter with your finger while he watches. This will give him the general idea. GENTLY sit him in it and push his bottom down slightly (being careful of his wounds). Then leave him.
He'll get the idea that he's supposed to use this as his toileting area.
If he makes a mistake, don't shout at him, just put him in his litter tray and make soft encouraging noises and stroke him. If you do this every time he makes a mistake, he'll realise where he should go. When he uses the tray, make a special fuss of him and give him a small treat.

In time, he'll learn. Don't expect him to know what to do too soon. Give him time to learn how to be your cat.

forever_missing_my_boys(Lisa) · « **Reply #15 on:** March 09, 2007, 22:58:16 PM »

awwwww im so pleased he has someone so caring to look out for him now

samandred · « **Reply #14 on:** March 09, 2007, 22:56:21 PM »

Neutered Monday... in from tonight for about two or so weeks, mabe a few more days

forever_missing_my_boys(Lisa) · « **Reply #13 on:** March 09, 2007, 22:37:24 PM »

awwww bless him
r u keeping him in all the time now ?
when is he going to be neutered have u got a date ?

samandred · « **Reply #12 on:** March 09, 2007, 20:42:25 PM »

So far, I feel there is a lot of good info...

and I suspect he will catch on quick and each day I feel he is more at ease here, there is way too much throwing himself on his back and rolling around

Baggy · « **Reply #11 on:** March 09, 2007, 20:28:28 PM »

Although he was 14, the Proot didn't seem to know what to do with a litter tray. We put some compost in and at Fussy Furball's suggestion used the very fine Catsan Ultra.

On his first day being shut in, he waited until he was fit to burst and fell out of the front door when we came home.

On his second day he unleashed a foul poo of utter cheesy rankness in a dark corner of the lounge. We stuck the tray in that corner and he never looked back.

You might have an accident or two, but Preet looks like an intelligent cat who will catch on soon enough....

samandred · « **Reply #10 on:** March 09, 2007, 18:49:34 PM »

oh, and he is very very darn handsome, thank you for noticing...

his colouring is that he is black, with white feet, white belly, chin and chest, a few flecks of white on his nose and a single white hair coming out of his eyebrow. He looks like he is in a tuxedo with white collars and cuffs...

samandred · « **Reply #9 on:** March 09, 2007, 18:47:00 PM »

Great ideas...

The soil and keeping the tray by the back door... but I think I'll leave it somewhere hidden to start with and if he has an accident, I'll move it to the door...

the idea of caging him with the tray I have to say does not feel right to me, but then every cat is different. Nading is a couple of days away so I hope it'll go well...

Also, I am aware that as I am trying to build my relationship with him (and as the last time I took him to the vet, he avoided me and my wife for days) I have asked a friend who he has been around to take him to the vet so he does not associate that trauma with us...

Is that selfish?

forever_missing_my_boys(Lisa) · « **Reply #8 on:** March 09, 2007, 18:32:25 PM »

samandred: he looks very handsome

Millys Mum · « **Reply #7 on:** March 09, 2007, 16:34:40 PM »

To make it more like the outdoors, a sprinkle of soil over the litter,it helped the ferals i had in. Does make a mess tho.....

Overnight a tray near the backdoor may help too.

Preet is very lucky to have such an attentive owner

How long til his day of de-nadding? The smell will linger so i hope its not too long!

Dawn (DiddyDawn) · « **Reply #6 on:** March 09, 2007, 16:11:22 PM »

If he refuses to use a tray, it may be worth loaning a folding dog cage from somewhere and locking him in with a tray, bed etc just until he gets the idea.

ccmacey · « **Reply #5 on:** March 09, 2007, 15:48:20 PM »

My mum took on a stray thats never been inside a house and he just adjusted to using it. At first he used to sleep in the tray, but now he knows what its for and im sure if a stray can do it your cat will.

samandred · « **Reply #4 on:** March 09, 2007, 15:02:22 PM »

any advice is welcome...

it all adds up to my education

and by the way, it is him in the picture... I'd post a better one but they are all too many megabytes for the system to accept but this picture captures his mysterious but kinda naughty dark side

Dawn F · « **Reply #3 on:** March 09, 2007, 14:38:31 PM »

with kittens you normally put them in after they eat and they get the idea pretty quickly. I have had three adult rescue cats and they have all just known what to do - sorry not much help I know!

forever_missing_my_boys(Lisa) · « **Reply #2 on:** March 09, 2007, 14:25:53 PM »

yea put the tray in a quiet corner coz cats like a bit of privacy

dont put any of his food near it coz they dont like eating near where they pooh n pee

is that him in the pic ?

samandred · « **Reply #1 on:** March 09, 2007, 14:20:56 PM »

Hello...

for my second thread, I have another question...

Preet, my newly acquired Tom has always been, for the three years or so he has lived, a very social cat used to wandering as he pleases. He is a good boy and may mark the front and back of the house but never inside and he always dutifully asked to go out when he needs to.

But we are about to Neuter and Chip him and, in ancticipation, we are keeping him in the house for quite a while to let him recover (post hack) and get used to ours being his main home. This is kind of starting today and we will need to toilet train him to use the litter tray (though it is woodchippings we have gotten... bio degradable the pack says).

Never having had a cat before, will he work this out for himself (barring an accident or two)...?

Do I need to put the tray somewhere out of the way and a bit hidden? Should I feed him near it so he checks it out?

Author Topic: How to Litter train a roaming Tom? (Read 9231 times)

ccmacey

ccmacey