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The litter tray

Do you think my cat has cystitis or he stressed.

26 replies

Fluffycloudland77 · 16/11/2013 16:52

I have a highly strung cat, he gets cross if he can see other cats walking down the road for example, full on fluffy tail growling type reaction. Especially to one cat he is having a feud with.

Since moving he has sprayed in the house, not every day.

Tray is clean.
He knows where his tray is.
He is fine in himself.
Diet is wet and dry plus I see him using his water bowl.

I'm wondering if it could be idiopathic cystitis caused by the stress of living in an area with a high density of cats or if he's just scent marking so that if one of the other cats happens to be in our bedroom he knows its our cats house?.

I want to get a second tray upstairs but dh is resistant to the idea Hmm

We are going to book him in at the vets for Tuesday.

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cozietoesie · 16/11/2013 17:40

Seniorboy did just the same when he 'knew' The Lodger was around - he's inordinately territorial and didn't like the notion that there might be another cat in his territory - which for many Siamese tends to be as far as they can see/think.

Maybe your lad is as well. Having a vet check will do no harm of course (apart from to your whimpering bank card) although I suspect you're stuck with it.

I'd second the additional tray notion though. Maybe that will help. Have you a spare that you can quietly get out of the cupboard and leave lying around for a day or two until DH forgets it was your idea and fills it?

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Fluffycloudland77 · 16/11/2013 17:41

I think we need a sure flap too.

So far my solutions are;

Vets
Sure flap
Divorce dh and the cat and I find somewhere else to live.

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cozietoesie · 16/11/2013 17:43

I didn't realize you didn't have a Sureflap. Will ASBO cat fit in one being such a big lad? If so, I'd definitely go for it.

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Fluffycloudland77 · 16/11/2013 17:44

Oh bugger. No we have one massive covered tray I trip over most days.

Divorce it is then.

Unless the cat over the road snuffs it.

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cozietoesie · 16/11/2013 17:47

There you go, Fluffy. One must have one's priorities right.

Grin

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Fluffycloudland77 · 16/11/2013 17:48

There's a review on amazon saying an 8kg cat can fit through one.

Bloody sure that b&w cat over the road winds ours up on purpose, I see ours doing the arched back-fluffy tail-moving sideways thing and the other cat looking at him "he's mental isn't he? They want to do something with him he'll have a heart attack going on like that".

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cozietoesie · 16/11/2013 18:08

Certainly sounds like it.

That's why I was talking about 'thinking'. Just getting worked up enough about the mere thought of a known opponent (ie any other cat) might be enough for some of them to go off and let off steam by spraying, I reckon.

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Fluffycloudland77 · 16/11/2013 18:14

I've got two zylkene left. I'll give him those.

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lookatmybutt · 16/11/2013 18:32

Do you have Feliway? I've had a couple of neurotic sprayers and it was helpful (vet checks usually came back as clear for any form of infection or cystitis.)

Also, get an enzymatic cleaner - you can get them from a pet shop (Pets at Home do them). It removes odour better than household cleaner and helps stop repeat spraying.

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Fluffycloudland77 · 16/11/2013 18:44

I've got the spray on feliway. I'll spray that where he sprayed.

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Fluffycloudland77 · 16/11/2013 20:43

Maybe it is an infection, just caught him backing up to the laundry basket!

Or he's a lazy little sod who can't be bothered to use his tray.

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cozietoesie · 16/11/2013 21:29

It sounds to me like a protest vote - but the vet will check him out. (Actually, if you suspect an infection, I'd get him in as soon as possible - or if you can't eg take time off work before Thursday, maybe you could phone them, pick up a vial etc and get some urine in to them for testing?)

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cozietoesie · 16/11/2013 21:31

Tuesday - I misread. I'd still go in with some urine for them.

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Fluffycloudland77 · 16/11/2013 21:49

Oh feck I'm going to have to go in with a saucer aren't I? I don't even own a saucer, I gave them to cpl.

I'll buy a vial tomorrow. It seems worse today, doing it twice in one day is unheard of. He was by his tray then he ran upstairs to try and wee.

The cats going to think I'm some sort of deviant.

I wouldn't have thought of taking a sample if you hadn't mentioned it so thank you.

I'm getting a dog next time. Less trouble.

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cozietoesie · 16/11/2013 22:05

I usually get little plastic vials from the vet with a screw top and a plastic pipette. I think they're pence. Are the vets close enough by you to pick up ?

Maybe give them a buzz tomorrow when you're booking the appointment. I know that my vets (and I guess yours) like real fresh samples so if he decides to cross his legs, it may not work so well depending on the time of the appointment.

In fact, thinking about the problems of trying to get a sample from Seniorboy - who is a housecat! - which can be taken in fresh during opening hours, belay that recommendation. I'd just get him booked in.

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Fluffycloudland77 · 16/11/2013 22:11

There's a vet nearby I can ask for a vial from.

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Lonecatwithkitten · 16/11/2013 23:14

Non-absorbent litter (Katkor is one brand) is your friend here. In middle aged male neutered mostly indoor cats crystals in urine is one of the major causes, but you need a fresh urine sample to be representative for this.

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cozietoesie · 16/11/2013 23:21

Just how fresh does it need to be, Lone?

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Lonecatwithkitten · 16/11/2013 23:51

Really if it is going to be more than an hour you should keep urine in the fridge.

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Fluffycloudland77 · 17/11/2013 08:33

So far then;

Sure flap £70
Vets £30+ probably more likely £50
New litter £5?
Feliway £20

He's not a cheap date is he?

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cozietoesie · 17/11/2013 11:34

Certainly ain't!

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allmycats · 22/11/2013 15:09

What's happened toyour boy - what did they vet say, It's not at all good for a male cat to be with holding his wee

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Fluffycloudland77 · 22/11/2013 16:44

I put a second tray upstairs.

Some cats are VERY lazy.

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cozietoesie · 22/11/2013 17:01

And is it working so far?

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Fluffycloudland77 · 22/11/2013 17:04

Yes.

Lazy bugger has to save his energy for beating up other cats, not descending 12 steps to find a tray.

Silly me thinking otherwise really.

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