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The litter tray

Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

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Original poster

Getting them to wee on Katkor

23 replies

FizzyBanger · 02/10/2015 12:25

Anyone got any tips on how can I tempt FizzyCat into the litter tray to wee on some Katkor? The vet wants a urine sample, and this is the least invasive way to get it - but he won't set foot in the tray! Any ideas welcome. Thanks.

OP posts:

Lonecatwithkitten · 02/10/2015 13:03

Frankly shut him in one bare room for 24 hours, best in a bathroom.

cozietoesie · 02/10/2015 13:11

I just can't get a sample that way but as I work from home, I can be around during the day so I use the saucer-under-his-bum technique which works a treat as soon as he decides to pee.

I swear he gets increasingly smug as the day goes on, though. He definitely has a Yah Boo Sucks look on his face as he's going about.

Original poster

FizzyBanger · 02/10/2015 13:17

Thanks, folks. He went over 24 hours without weeing (shut inside), so I called the vet for advice and they said to try again in a few days. He is 15, so I didn't want to let it go on any longer. I was around all day, and tried to tempt him into the tray a few times, but he wouldn't go in at all. I'll maybe have to try a saucer... Did you just hold it over his normal litter, Cozietoesie?

OP posts:

cozietoesie · 02/10/2015 13:56

Despite his advanced age, Seniorboy still only pees a couple of times day (3 max) so I have to be fairly alert.

Yes, Fizzy, he always has his normal litter. (It's all he'll use.) I have a small saucer: actually the bottom half of a coffee can set so it's maybe a little smaller in diameter and a bit deeper than a standard saucer - but I'm sure that that would work just as well. Wait until he's fully committed to the pee and then quietly slip the saucer under the base of his tail and collect the remainder of the flow. Then suck up the product with a small pipette thing (vet gives me one along with the testing vial), squirt into vial and into fridge.

Couple of tips - other than being sure to wait until they're fully committed to the pee.

Keep the saucer near the litter tray so you have it right to hand. (You won't have time to search for one.)

Don't assume you don't have anything (depending on the colour/design of the saucer) because it can be quite pale and if you have indifferent eyesight like me, you might not realize how much you have and spill it. Even the 'remainder of the flow' should give you an ample sample.

Seniorboy doesn't mind at all - quite relaxed about the whole procedure. (Once he's decided to actually uncross his legs that is. )

Original poster

FizzyBanger · 02/10/2015 15:31

Thanks Cozie, I'll definitely give that a try. I've got the pipette and vial, so I'll find a suitable container to have on standby. If testing becomes a regular thing it'll be far less stressful than all the other options!

OP posts:

stripytees · 02/10/2015 15:35

Using more than one bag of Katkor makes it seem more like usual litter. Otherwise the box appears so empty my kitty seems confused about it.

Original poster

FizzyBanger · 02/10/2015 15:52

Thanks, Stripy. I did wonder about that, too. It looks a bit slippery in the tray, so not very inviting.

OP posts:

cozietoesie · 02/10/2015 16:38

Good luck either way, Fizzy.

(Our vet always says so very casually 'Oh - and just bring in a urine sample'. I don't think vets always realize the problems that people have getting the darned thing. )

stripytees · 02/10/2015 17:17

My vet always congratulates me so much for bringing in a urine sample that I feel more accomplished than when I completed my Master's degree.

cozietoesie · 02/10/2015 17:45

Fluffycloudland77 · 02/10/2015 18:52

Fuck knows, I got the last one by sucking it off the skirting board with an oral syringe.

The one before that was obtained by letting him wee in the bath and putting the plug in.

cozietoesie · 02/10/2015 19:01

Fluffy

I was just thinking that there's a niche for absorbent paper specially for Bengals - you could get in early and corner the market!

Original poster

FizzyBanger · 03/10/2015 09:12

Normal litter back down and mini saucer at the ready. I'll let you know if I succeed!

OP posts:

cozietoesie · 03/10/2015 09:15

Ouch - no joy yet?

Best of luck.

lostindubai · 03/10/2015 09:22

Mine will hold onto his pee for up to three days to avoid using that stuff. He's grown wise to it over the years. Now I let him save up a bladder full then the vet manually expresses it into a dish. It's quite a sight to behold!

cozietoesie · 03/10/2015 11:28

Gosh. 3 days is as determined as I've ever known.

lostindubai · 03/10/2015 20:42

He's part camel we think

Seriously though, that causes problems of its own (he's prone to crystals) so not something we try any more.

AnnihilatedBeerGuttedCats · 03/10/2015 22:09

Mmmmm are you me?

Old boy and I had the same stand off last week and as (very lovely) vet thinks he's diabetic, there are going to be many more wee samples in our future.

And yes yes yes to the smug face.
He's a git, but…so cute

AnnihilatedBeerGuttedCats · 03/10/2015 22:10

Why didn't my pic post????

Micah · 03/10/2015 22:25

I just had a sterile tube ready, then when I heard him scratching about in the litter, hold it under him to pee into. He did make such a big deal about it though, I'd be sat waiting while he got himself into exactly the right position in the tray.

He was always fine about it. I used to freak out vets though by producing sterile urine samples from my bag before they'd finished telling me how to try getting one!

cozietoesie · 03/10/2015 22:32

The direct approach - I like it!

(Not sure that Seniorboy has such a precise 'angle of attack' though. )

Original poster

FizzyBanger · 12/10/2015 09:58

Cozie - thanks so much for your 'saucer underneath' tip. After having a break from it all for a few days, we caught FizzyCat going in his tray on Saturday morning and managed to get a very impressive sample! The vet wants to keep an eye on his kidney function so we're looking forward to doing it all again in three months... ;-)

OP posts:

cozietoesie · 12/10/2015 11:23

Well done!

I've found it's by far the easiest way with my own cats - although it does depend on you being around at the time of peeing and their being happy to use a tray. He should be real relaxed about it next time as well because it's so non-invasive.

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