Topic: Sick to death of Willow peeing and destroying carpets (Read 9869 times)

JackSpratt · « **Reply #42 on:** May 04, 2007, 20:44:13 PM »

Quote from: Ela on May 04, 2007, 07:34:52 AM

All I will say any advice she gave on there was advice others had already given.

Isn't that how people learn? I'm assuming when you give advice you're re-iterating what advice you've been taught too.

How's Willow doing, Mark? Any change at all?

Ela · « **Reply #41 on:** May 04, 2007, 07:34:52 AM »

Quote

who is it on here that was studying in feline physology ?

Do you think you are thinking of someone who was on CC? If so I know her name, but not posting it for my own reasons. All I will say any advice she gave on there was advice others had already given.

Desley (booktigger) · « **Reply #40 on:** May 02, 2007, 08:02:48 AM »

I know the rescue's vet suggest Ovarid for Tom's issues, but I refused to take them, I didn't like the idea of giving female hormones to a male long term (and there were side effects, which knowing my luck, he would have developed!!)

Mark · « **Reply #39 on:** April 26, 2007, 13:11:31 PM »

I will ask but it but I'm not sure that I like the idea of "doped up" cats - I understand it would be a small dose but concerned about long-term use of sedatives

Millys Mum · « **Reply #38 on:** April 26, 2007, 13:10:24 PM »

I think she tried that one first as it has less side affects than other drugs

CurlyCatz · « **Reply #37 on:** April 26, 2007, 12:29:30 PM »

i am under the impression diazepam in low non sedative doses may work for some but there are more modern types of a d's that can also be used, glad the diazpam is working for your pals cat though millys mum.

Millys Mum · « **Reply #36 on:** April 26, 2007, 11:54:43 AM »

A friend of mine uses Diazepam for one of hers, he has multiple problems that make the other cats bully him so he sprays alot. She cant rehome him as nobody wants a cat with so many health complications so thats the best option for him.

CurlyCatz · « **Reply #35 on:** April 26, 2007, 10:56:09 AM »

Ive been trying to go abit of digging regarding the use of anti depressant drugs for this problems. I know it has been used for willow type problems and also for flutd probs, sometimes quite successfully i believe. Have no personal experience so cant give first hand information but considering you are really at the end of the road for ideas it may be worth your while doing some online research and then speaking to your vet. Perhaps also a behaviourist may also have knowledge of this drug uses ?

Mark · « **Reply #34 on:** April 26, 2007, 10:49:11 AM »

Apparently not. Only when kylie came on the scene. She never saw clapton as a threat. He is the softest cat ever and has never scratched or bitten anyone. He boxes if willow comes to close

CurlyCatz · « **Reply #33 on:** April 26, 2007, 10:43:42 AM »

ah i see. So did she piddle on carpets etc when it was just her and clapton ?

Mark · « **Reply #32 on:** April 26, 2007, 10:39:27 AM »

She was an only cat before Dennis got Clapton. Clapton is very submissive so willow tolerated him - she often bullied him too. Kylie is alpha so willow can't get away with it. When willow is the only cat around, she is gentle and affectionate but changes when other cats are around.

CurlyCatz · « **Reply #31 on:** April 26, 2007, 10:28:30 AM »

Mark do you know any history behind willow ? ie did she live with other cats before ?

Mark · « **Reply #30 on:** April 26, 2007, 00:36:34 AM »

Thanks susanne - I will definately look into it. I had forgotten her advice re getting scent on a piece of cloth and wiping in the pee areas (same as feliway I guess)
She came down to the basement a while ago and sat on the arm of the sofa but clapton was on my lap. I tried to stroke her but she was aggresive

Susanne (urbantigers) · « **Reply #29 on:** April 25, 2007, 23:07:50 PM »

Bear in mind that many behaviourists only see pets who are referred to them by a vet - members of the apbc for example are only allowed to take on referrals. Your vet should be able to refer you in the same way as he'd be able to refer you to any other specialist.

If he can't recommend anyone you can find a list of apbc clinics here

http://www.apbc.org.uk/

If there is one near you you could ask your vet to refer you to that clinic.

Mark · « **Reply #28 on:** April 25, 2007, 22:37:23 PM »

I will ask the vet but he is quite "meat & potatoes" so not sure if he has any contacts. I will see if I can find one myself as well. I know you are right Susanne. I would do anything to make her stop.

Susanne (urbantigers) · « **Reply #27 on:** April 25, 2007, 22:23:11 PM »

Quote from: Mark on April 25, 2007, 21:42:36 PM

I think its beyond that but I will try.

Ceila Haddon gave me some advice on slow inroductions etc but it had no effect on willow. She is a lost case I think.
btw - some good stuff on her site

http://www.celiahaddon.co.uk/

Having a face to face consultation with a behaviourist who visits your home as opposed to getting some advice from one might just make the difference though. However good the advice is it can only be general advice if it's given by email etc. It's like getting advice for a medical condition online from someone who has never seen you instead of actually see a specialist about it. Given the amount of money you've already spent repairing damage I think it would be well worth asking your vet to refer you to a specialist in behaviour At least that way you'd know you'd exhausted every possiblity.

Mark · « **Reply #26 on:** April 25, 2007, 21:42:36 PM »

Quote from: Susanne (urbantigers) on April 25, 2007, 19:01:33 PM

Mark - I don't have any practical suggestions I'm afraid as I have no experience of this kind of thing, but maybe you should ask your vet to refer you to a behaviourist. One that will visit your home and take a specific case history etc... Or you could write to one of the cat magazines! Each month they tend to have a case study where they have a cat with behavioural problems and they send a behaviourist around to try and sort out the situation then they write it up for the magazine.

I think its beyond that but I will try.

Ceila Haddon gave me some advice on slow inroductions etc but it had no effect on willow. She is a lost case I think.
btw - some good stuff on her site

http://www.celiahaddon.co.uk/

CurlyCatz · « **Reply #25 on:** April 25, 2007, 19:45:28 PM »

who is it on here that was studying in feline physology ?

Susanne (urbantigers) · « **Reply #24 on:** April 25, 2007, 19:01:33 PM »

I guess I'm pretty lucky in that neither of my 2 are furniture/carpet scratchers. The sofa is clicked on the arms but that's accidentally from Mosi playing on it and catching his claws (I put a throw over it but he just burrows underneath it

) and I made a point of buying a cheap sofa with removable covers so I can just buy some new covers instead of a new sofa if it looks too bad.

Mark - I don't have any practical suggestions I'm afraid as I have no experience of this kind of thing, but maybe you should ask your vet to refer you to a behaviourist. One that will visit your home and take a specific case history etc... Or you could write to one of the cat magazines!

Each month they tend to have a case study where they have a cat with behavioural problems and they send a behaviourist around to try and sort out the situation then they write it up for the magazine.

Mark · « **Reply #23 on:** April 25, 2007, 19:01:15 PM »

Willow is definately an indoor cat and loves radiators, sofas etc. She burrows under a fleece in the kitchen!

I found another thing today. Next to the chest that I bought on the landing, there is an antique bureau. She has sprayed up it and the is pee on the carpet. She is going to end up living in one room. It's a shame as she has made the chest one of her new sleeping places. She can watch the pigeons on the roof next door fron there (including the dead one

)

CurlyCatz · « **Reply #22 on:** April 25, 2007, 18:41:02 PM »

its a difficult one gillian isnt it, whilst i agree cats will be cats i also understand how hubby feels going out working as hard as he does to have nice things..he doesnt go out , doesnt drink, doesnt smoke etc so he wanted a really comfy sofa and obviously wants it kept in a good condition. (it is about 2 years old now but barely a mark on it)

What does annoy me is i know for a fact fraser wouldnt have done that if one of us was present because he is pretty good at knowing whats ok and whats naughty, they are cats i know but they aint stupid..just like cody knew when i caught him peeing in an upturned litter tray hood yesterday he wasnt meant to be as the minute he saw me his ears went flat down and he finished as quick as he could and shot off LOL...i wasnt bothered about that of course but he knew that wasnt meant to be where he was having a pee !!

forever_missing_my_boys(Lisa) · « **Reply #21 on:** April 25, 2007, 18:09:43 PM »

omg Gillian and lynn u must feel like crying
the sofa we have at the mo is a pile of

scratched so much u can see the wood

we r wanting a new choc leather 3piece suite when we decorate
i need to try and train my cats to only use the sratching post first me finks

Gillian Harvey · « **Reply #20 on:** April 25, 2007, 18:05:23 PM »

Quote from: lynn on April 25, 2007, 17:55:02 PM

I'm sooo annoyed as the leather sofa wasnt a cheap dfs one as hubby wanted to buy abit better with the idea it would last longer..he'll go ape if he finds out.

Oops!

I know what you mean Lynn, my beautiful pale ice blue leather sofa has scratch and puncture marks already, not had it long

CurlyCatz · « **Reply #19 on:** April 25, 2007, 17:55:02 PM »

its gets worse my end

I knew fraser had got through into the living room at some point in the night or morning, i am guessing this morning when hubby got up, i knew because there was his usual tell tale mound of hair at the normal spot on the carpet beside a corner of the sofa. (which means on that particular spot you cannot hardly see the actual carpet for hair

) well anyway i did give a quick hoover this morning but a more thorough hoover just now and have realised he has made 4 puncture holes on the corner of the sofa

I just dont know what i am going to say to hubby if he notices, lets pray he doesnt

I'm sooo annoyed as the leather sofa wasnt a cheap dfs one as hubby wanted to buy abit better with the idea it would last longer..he'll go ape if he finds out.

CurlyCatz · « **Reply #18 on:** April 24, 2007, 18:05:50 PM »

mark where did clapton come into the household ?

I'm not sure if the outside house and run would suit willow, i've always imagined her enjoying her creature comforts..(unless you gave her a little bed with egyptian cotton in her house of course )

My boys i know would be happy in a properly decked out house but i like them to have the house to come into aswell.

Whats your partner like with her ? perhaps if he is slightly less attached it might be useful to have a different perspective on the whole situation.

PS rosella..snap

Rosella moggy · « **Reply #17 on:** April 24, 2007, 18:02:54 PM »

Quote from: Mark on April 24, 2007, 17:35:12 PM

I am very peed off with her but at the end of the day, I couldn't bear to part with her.

Now why did I just know that was coming

Mark · « **Reply #16 on:** April 24, 2007, 17:39:05 PM »

She started when kylie moved in and I tried all kinds of things, including an email to a behaviourist (Celia ??????) apparently she writes for one of the newspapers. I followed her advice. If willow is that unhappy, I will have to let her go - I don't know what to do

Quote from: Millys Mum on April 24, 2007, 17:34:50 PM

Mark sorry to hear of your troubles
Deciding to rehome a cat you have had for years is actually a selfless act, sometimes its in the best interest of the animal to move on as much as it breaks your heart.
She definately sounds like being an only cat would suit her better.
The only 2 other things i can think of:
* A behaviourist
* If shes an indoor/outdoor cat buying a large cat shed and run and giving her that as her own "house" with free access to the world.

The only hard thing about homing cats with this type of history is finding someone who will believe you that when she has a home with no other cats the problem is very likely to stop, afterall who willingly goes through what you have for a cat they have no emotional bond with. If you offered to take her back if the problem didnt stop that may help them to trust you.

Mark · « **Reply #15 on:** April 24, 2007, 17:35:12 PM »

I jiust had a cuddle with her upstairs and got a face rub with her drippy eyes

I will have to find a solution (nappies, corks

) - I am very peed off with her (no pun intended!

) but at the end of the day, I couldn't bear to part with her.

Millys Mum · « **Reply #14 on:** April 24, 2007, 17:34:50 PM »

Mark sorry to hear of your troubles

Deciding to rehome a cat you have had for years is actually a selfless act, sometimes its in the best interest of the animal to move on as much as it breaks your heart.
She definately sounds like being an only cat would suit her better.
The only 2 other things i can think of:
* A behaviourist
* If shes an indoor/outdoor cat buying a large cat shed and run and giving her that as her own "house" with free access to the world.

The only hard thing about homing cats with this type of history is finding someone who will believe you that when she has a home with no other cats the problem is very likely to stop, afterall who willingly goes through what you have for a cat they have no emotional bond with. If you offered to take her back if the problem didnt stop that may help them to trust you.

Rosella moggy · « **Reply #13 on:** April 24, 2007, 17:30:46 PM »

Poor Mark.

I wish I could beam Billy Whiz down to you so he could teach Willow how to behave herself. He seems to have explained a few things to Freddie on the peeing front altho Freddie does still occasionally sharpen his claws on our furniture.

On second thoughts Billy would probably freak her out following her around and head butting her for attention.

Three years of this behaviour is certainly a very long time and I wouldn't dream of suggesting what you should or shouldn't do.

clarenmax · « **Reply #12 on:** April 24, 2007, 16:02:55 PM »

Sorry to hear that Willow's giving you problems Mark

clarenmax · « **Reply #11 on:** April 24, 2007, 16:02:06 PM »

Quote from: JackSpratt on April 24, 2007, 15:42:14 PM

One of my guys try to shred the stair carpet and it's a rented property. So far, the landlord has been extremely understanding about it, but he wants to replace the carpet this year (we've been here 8 years.)and I'm dreading trying to train my guy out of scratching it!

I would defo ask your Landlord not to re-carpet if you're worried - it makes no difference to him/her whether they do it this year or in the future, they can put the money aside for when you decide to move out and they need to market for a new tenant.

It worked with my last Landlord anyway

Mark · « **Reply #10 on:** April 24, 2007, 15:49:31 PM »

I really don't think there are any options left. I just put neat professional carpet shampoo on the carpet where the gilt from the mirror marked. Then I shampooed it with a professional machine and there is still a dark green line. She did the same in the bay on the stairs so I had to buy a chest - I found one on saturday that fitted the space but it was £175.00! - I can't keep putting things everywhere she pees

She is asleep on the kitchen table as clapton was sleeping on her bed this morning (he's not fussy) now she won't go on it. He has been sleeping on her other bed in the kitchen as well so she won't go on that. I feel so sorry for her.

JackSpratt · « **Reply #9 on:** April 24, 2007, 15:42:14 PM »

One of my guys try to shred the stair carpet and it's a rented property.

So far, the landlord has been extremely understanding about it, but he wants to replace the carpet this year (we've been here 8 years.)and I'm dreading trying to train my guy out of scratching it! The other three scratch various other things (including the sofa unfortunately.)

I'm so sorry it's come to the place where you've decided that rehoming is the best option, you must feel dreadful. ((hugs))

tab · « **Reply #8 on:** April 24, 2007, 14:44:29 PM »

Im sorry your having trouble and I hope you can sort things out in a way that you're all feeling better about things.
love
Tab

Mark · « **Reply #7 on:** April 24, 2007, 14:29:30 PM »

I can't have wood floors all over as it is a B&B. The flooring when we moved in including bathrooms was over £7,000. Its not only the weeing, she has started shredding the stair carpet.

I sprayed the mirror with simple solution and put it in the kitchen while I sort the dining room carpet out and she has peed on it again. I have people checking in at 4pm and am behind as it is. She has been "sent to coventry" (the kitchen

) Its a big room but don't know if its fair keeping her in one room.

CurlyCatz · « **Reply #6 on:** April 24, 2007, 13:49:13 PM »

MARK

I totally understand where you are coming from. I may joke about frasers peuking but actually its no laughing matter altho i do just accept it and get on with the clean ups) when its my hubby that has to fork out to re carpet again after as you say repeated clean ups just trashes the carpet. I have recently discovered that i think he is also weeing on the carpet, but i have to investigate that further, might have just been an accident. as soon as i get things abit calmer around here and tom is back to normal etc i am going to be taking fraser for blood testing anyway due to his age and a sneaky suspicion i have on his kidney function. He's not ill or anything dont get me wrong or i'd be taking him sooner. Of course that isnt going to change the fact he'll always vomit frequently & to be honest altho i know some peeps have opinions on the set up with my older lads i know they have happy peaceful lives and many wouldnt have put up with the amount of peuk over the years esp when small children are around (yes both have trodden in it at times when ive not known he had been sick).

However my fear is if he needs on going expensive treatments how an earth i am going to break this and get round hubby when he's just paid for a new carpet. The old carpet is fine in the most part but just up at his end is ruined so of course we need to replace the whole thing. Dont get me wrong i'll put up with the peuking as i have done for as many years as ive had him but the money on flooring i know will have an influence on how far i can go if he needs treatment for anything. I dont mean to protray my other half as a git coz he's not and i totally understand him even if i dont like it. we cant have proper wooden floors through there due to a) existing flooring not very suitable and 2) cost factor but we did lift a carpet and replace with laminate -- waste of time and money that was as the liquid from the peuk soaks though the joins, so it had to be lifted and replaced with another carpet which is also now ruined. Cant have ceramic tiles due to them just not being child/toddler friendly for obvious reasons and no one wants vinyl in their hall way !!

I totally understand and willow has always sounded like she has been hard work with the urinating and many would not have perservered for 3 years. Perhaps you are right and she does need to be an only cat.

Hope you get a suitable solution sorted out.

Lynn X

forever_missing_my_boys(Lisa) · « **Reply #5 on:** April 24, 2007, 13:45:26 PM »

awww i really feel for ya , i use to have carpet in my lounge and dinning area but bridie kept weeing on the carpet behind the tv and no matter what i used the smell never really went properly , we had to rip it all up and get laminate flooring
it seems an awful shame u r thinking of rehoming her

cant u have laminate flooring all over mark ? its gonna cost a lot i know but its worth it in the long run .

Rosella moggy · « **Reply #4 on:** April 24, 2007, 13:37:01 PM »

Really feel for you Mark

Mark · « **Reply #3 on:** April 24, 2007, 13:26:02 PM »

Its so frustrating - we already had to have wood floors put in the basement as she destroyed the carpet - we worked out the other day that she has trashed about £3,000 worth of carpet in 2 years - not to mention the £4,000 to have the wood floor put in. I think she needs to be an "only cat" - the other option is she never leaves the kitchen - I don't know what to do but I can't afford the damage.

Author Topic: Sick to death of Willow peeing and destroying carpets (Read 9869 times)