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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.

Original poster

Any hints and tips for coping with a cat in a cone of shame?

41 replies

FoxesOnSocks · 09/08/2016 16:55

Just back from vets - he has a cone and is NOT happy. Also he doesn't use a litter tray so I've that issue too

What can I do?

OP posts:
Toddlerteaplease · 09/08/2016 17:31

I had to take Magic's off as it was distressing her so much. She was going to hurt herself trying to get it off. She'd had surgery on her nose so didn't have a scar to scratch.

Any hints and tips for coping with a cat in a cone of shame?
MajesticSeaFlapFlap · 09/08/2016 17:32

Magic looks like he's going to actually kill you Grin

Original poster
FoxesOnSocks · 09/08/2016 18:10

He does doesn't he. My boy just looks like he's f**ked off. Majorly so.

OP posts:
lljkk · 09/08/2016 18:28

Mine crashed into walls & everything else for about 48 hrs. That was not fun.

Original poster
FoxesOnSocks · 09/08/2016 18:34

I would post a picture but every time I do I feel like I've identified myself. But he looks very annoyed with life

I'm concerned about the litter tray. I already have a litter box and just bought The Worlds Most Expensive Litter - how do I encourage him to use it? He's very much an outside toileter - hasn't used a litter tray since he was a very small kitten.

OP posts:
cozietoesie · 09/08/2016 18:53

He should still remember what it's for - he may just be crossing his legs. In fact, if he has a nemesis outside, he may come to prefer an inside facility.

I know that some people have had success with putting a temporary - and thin - layer of soil on top which is gradually removed. That's last resort time, though.

Has he eaten or drunk yet?

I feel for you. First Use Of Tray is thoroughly anxiety-making, regardless of the age of a cat.

Original poster
FoxesOnSocks · 09/08/2016 19:54

Not eaten. Nor drank. He's just looking sad lying on a bed. He slow blinks at me when I peep in at him.

OP posts:
cozietoesie · 09/08/2016 19:57

I actually think that that could be worse. He's not trying to remove the COS?

Original poster
FoxesOnSocks · 09/08/2016 21:15

He did for a while (and got it off) but he just seems to have given.

The vet also told me he's piling on the pounds (up a few pounds since last vist a few months ago). I'm feeding him the recommended amount - so he's evidently getting love elsewhere as well as being bullied by a tom.

OP posts:
TheSpottedZebra · 09/08/2016 21:18

My cat WOULD NOT use a litter tray. When he was post op and in inside - only confinement, I eventually had to get a harness for him and take him outside for toilet breaks. And I had to look the other way too.

Germgirl · 10/08/2016 06:30

Where is his wound? Could you put a tiny T shirt on him instead of the COS?
Ive seen small inflatable collars which are better than COS's, Pets at Home have them I think.
Poor FoxesCat. Hope he's better soon.

Germgirl · 10/08/2016 06:34

inflatable collar

SickInBedOnTwoChairs · 10/08/2016 06:49

To encourage a cat to pee/poo in a litter tray, Scrape the litter back and forth like a cat would that is planning to use it. It is the equivalent of someone turning a tap on for us! They soon cop on and use it as it gives them either the lightbulb moment or the urge to pee!

TheDropBear · 10/08/2016 06:54

You can get suits to wear after surgery
www.suitical.com

Original poster
FoxesOnSocks · 10/08/2016 08:11

Wound is on his back paw sp tee shirt wouldn't work - good idea though.

He's evidently distressed. A tactile cat FoxesCat isn't, you're doing well if you get to pick him up for a cuddle for a few minutes before he's telling you he's off. He doesn't sit on laps, lie next to anyone and you have to approach him to stroke make a fuss off etc. If he comes in a room and I'm sat down or when I've opened his cat flap he will give me a bunt and he sleeps down the bottom of a bed but that's it. (He's also not aggressive or grumpy though) last night he climbed onto my bed and snuggled right up into the crook of my arm and lay there purring (I assumed it wasn't the satisfied purr) and stayed there the whole night.

He's trying to get out now and going mad about the COS 😕

OP posts:
PinkSparklyPussyCat · 10/08/2016 08:56

How long does he have to stay in for? When Harry broke his jaw we were told to keep him indoors until the wire was removed. He was so pissed off the vet said we could let him out after a week (which was good as the wire was in for 18 weeks in the end!).

I have no suggestions about the collar of shame as Harry didn't have one - they tried but he was so angry distressed they decided it wasn't worth it. His notes did say he was 'fractious'.

I hope Foxescat is on the mend soon Flowers

Original poster
FoxesOnSocks · 10/08/2016 09:06

At least till tomorrow. He had two injections yesterday and the wound area clipped - it's open so hence the COS so he doesn't lick it. He's had the COS off twice, not looking happy and not used litter tray yet.

OP posts:
Original poster
FoxesOnSocks · 10/08/2016 09:06

(He's back at vets tomorrow possibly for stitches)

OP posts:
Toddlerteaplease · 10/08/2016 12:03

I took an inflatable collar with magic to the vet but it was too small for her.

Toddlerteaplease · 10/08/2016 12:03

I did read somewhere that you can put a baby gro on them instead of a collar.

cozietoesie · 10/08/2016 12:46

If he's back at the vets and hasn't peed yet, ask the vet to express the urine manually to decrease his discomfort a bit.

Would he tolerate being picked up and put/positioned on his litter tray? (With maybe a little 'paw scrabble' to remind him of its function.)

Original poster
FoxesOnSocks · 10/08/2016 13:04

He can be picked up - let's out a meaow which for him is quite a protest.

I had to go out so left him alone. Hoping he'll use the tray without anyone around.

OP posts:
cozietoesie · 10/08/2016 13:08

If he's been crossing his legs for a bit, being picked up might be quite a trial! Wink. See how the tray has gone when you return. Cats sometimes like a little privacy and quiet to do their toileting right enough.

Original poster
FoxesOnSocks · 10/08/2016 13:40

I'm home. No joy with litter tray - cone was off again though.

OP posts:
cozietoesie · 10/08/2016 13:48

Is the tray in a quiet place? And are you using the same sort of litter as he had when a kitten? (If you even remember that is ! )

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