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Original poster

Do you think that I should get my cat put down?

16 replies

sweetkitty · 07/12/2006 16:27

I'm having a really hard time with the decision on whether to get one of my cats put down, here's why....

I've had hom for nearly 10 years (he's one of my 3 cats) anyway he's always been a good friendly cat. We used to live in a flat so they have always been indoors cats trained to use a litter tray. We moved house over a year ago so this Summer we decided we would let the cats out to explore the garden, they have been getting braver and were going out when the kitchen door was open which is fine. Otis has been the bravest and has loved going outside, but he has developed a habit where he walks up and down the garden peeing all day. About 3 years ago he had bladder stones and had to have them removed (cost us £1300) and frequent peeing is one the the signs so we took him to the vets and she said he seemed fine there were no stones on his x-rays etc.

The problem now is that he is started peeing indoors. They have a litter tray that I keep very clean for them but he has started peeing upstairs in the spare room (soon to become DD2's room) the other day he stood right in front of me and peed on the edge of the sofa. DP is so angry he wants to get him put down as he says we cannot have a cat who pees in the house. When DP caught him peeing he got so angry he used to throw him outside all day adn not let him back in but I've convinced him to give Otis a stay of execution and to try and build bridges with him.

Also he used to be really fat and looked pregnant but he has lost loads of weight and looks really skinny now, I told the vet this and she wasn't that concerned as she sadi he was more active now. He still eats/drinks/plays adn he is more ative than he has ever been.

He is a lovely cat and I don't want to get him put down but I don't want to be constantly cleaning up cat pee especially as DD2 is crawling now. DP found another pee last night upstairs in the hall.

Anyone have any advice?

OP posts:

PamiNativity · 07/12/2006 16:32

Is there a problem with a new cat in the area? That can often force other cats inside to wee, because they are scared.
One of my cats used to be quite fat but when we got a new kitten, he had to compete for food and got much skinnier, which was better for him - could that be why your cat is thinner?
If you are really set on getting rid of him, have you thought about a cat shelter or RSPCA? Seems a shame to put down an active healthy cat.

boobyprize · 07/12/2006 16:33

We are going through this with our 15 year old cat at the moment.We have moved the litter box upstairs for her and she only comes down to eat.She peed and pooed on out bed twice too

dingdongmerRADLEYonhigh · 07/12/2006 16:33

I know how distressing this must be for you, but, I wouldn't have in put down for this, i would rather give him to a shelter etc.

But, have you had him checked for kidney disease, as constant peeing is one of the side effects.

Other side effects are

Decreased/increased appetite
Drinking more water
Licking hands when being stroked (for he salt)

I would definately ask him to be checked for this.

MerryPiffmas · 07/12/2006 16:34

has he been neutered?

HappyMellowmas · 07/12/2006 16:36

I wouldn't get it put down. If it is peeing everywhere and this can't be fixed take him to a cat rescue.

HeavenisInherwinterunderwear · 07/12/2006 16:36

I presume he has been done and is not leaving his mark for that reason.
We had a stray cat that adopted us and it started peeing here and there,it turn out to have a tumour and saldy we had to have him put down.
Have you always used the same vet ?

madmarchhare · 07/12/2006 16:36

No, I dont think you should have him put down.

Its sounds as though he is having territoy issues (this can happen with castrated animals, assuming here that he is??)

boobyprize · 07/12/2006 16:37

we had a cat that sprayed all over the place. He had been done too.We reholmed him because the childrens health came first.They were at the crawling stage.It broke my heart.He is very very happy now though with his new family with no children.Think he was spraying because he was protesting anyway

poppiesinalinewithtinsel · 07/12/2006 16:40

our cat did this once because she was being 'bullied' by another cat outside. When this other cat disappeared the weeing stopped.

I wouldnt put him down. I would try and find out why he is doing it and try and resolve the problem.

WigWamBahhumbug · 07/12/2006 16:41

Losing weight and frequent (often uncontrolled)urination are two of the most common signs of feline diabetes.

In your shoes I would have the vet test for both kidney problems and diabetes before making any further decisions - but I wouldn't have him put down without having a really good reason to do so.

naughtynoonoo · 07/12/2006 16:41

Don't put poor Otis down. Go back and speak to the vet and see what he / she recommends. If you are still not happy take him to an animal rescue place.

Original poster

sweetkitty · 07/12/2006 16:51

Thanks for all the replies, firstly yes Otis has been castrated. I think part of the problem might be that there are at least 4 other cats come into our garden so I believe they are coming in at night and peeing so he feels he has to go out and pee during the day (a lot). Out of all the cats he is the most comfortbable with the DDs so I don't think it's them that have fazed him.

They all have access to dry food all day long so I don't think he has to compete for food.

I told the vet about his weight loss but she wasn't that interested in it TBH she was only concerned about his bladder stones but it's not that as they strain to go and can pass blood, he definately is peeing. He just looks far too skinny you know when you just feel he shouldn't be that thin.

Right I think a trip to the vets it is, I've also told DP we are not putting him outside anymore just now, maybe if he is not smelling other cats pee he will feel less threatened, DP's suggestion was to make him an outdoor only cat but I feel this is cruel.

OP posts:

dingdongmerRADLEYonhigh · 09/12/2006 12:29

If he is skinny and still eating, then i would insist the vet test him for kidney failure and diabetes, there is a new law coming out that ALL cats have to be tested for these after 10 years of age as it is the most common time for them to fall ill with it.

Let us know how he gets on.

IWhoooooshYouamerryXmas · 09/12/2006 13:49

Agree with WWB and Dingdong-definitely look for a couple more tests.
I personally wouldn't put him in a shelter,again,personally I think it would be kinder at the age of 10 to have him put to sleep,Only,if all else fails.

He definitely sounds like he is upset-we have one of our three that dose this from time to time-sprays like mad in the garden and occasionally pisses like ahorse in the house-usually on somethign really expensive and/or difficult to clean.

Can you perhaps try some Feliway diffusers around the house-I found they really helped.I got mine from the vet and they give off calming pheromones or summat-worth a try.

Good luck.Otis is a fab name too!

bethoo · 21/12/2006 14:27

the reason your cat is behaving like this is because he is now an outdoor cat and so has become more territorial and his predative instincts have come out. my male neutered cat does it sometimes too though i do not think it is a valid reason to end his life. you could always rehome him or keep him outdoors and only let him have limited access in the house so he can be supervised at all times. that way you can catch him in the act as they can be sneaky!

Original poster

sweetkitty · 11/01/2007 14:28

hi just thought I would do an update on Otis for all ou that were kind enough to reply. Well he is still with us. Took him ot the vets and when he was weighed he was very underweight, the very was very concerned and he was kept in for urine and blood tests. Negative for diabetes but he did have a bladder infection, blood tests came back and he is at the upper normal range for over active thyroid and I have been reading up on this and he seems to fit all the. symptoms so he is now on tablets for that to see if it will stabilise his weight loss. DP has been very good with him and not shouting/throwing him out when he has been peeing. I would say the peeing has got a bit less although I still find 2-3 a week (these are the ones I find I'm sure they may be more). The vet hasn't really helped with trying to get him not to pee, she said clean with vinegar as cats urine is alkaline and most household cleaners are alkaline too. Another one was to put food down where he pees DP was totally against this as he said it would just make him go pee somewhere else. The vets latest suggestion was to put a litter tray where he pees the most, I thought this was crazy as that is only going to reconfirm that DD2's room is a toilet. And do I want litter trays in DD2's room where do you stop it litter trays in every room - yuck! I've also stopped him going outside for the time being.

OP posts:

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