Question:
Im finding myself with Preciouse here going okay shes here, she safe, shes warm, shes being feed NOW WHAT?
We both survived her first bath here (she had been outside for god only knows how long so I felt she needed a good scrub down lol), shes not ticked at me anymore, im actually back to getting my legs and arms rubbed with her head again.
Its probably going to be a long haul with her and if I could ever convince hubby to allow it id keep her, if I do that though she will have to stay down in the family room verses up in the living room. Remember hubby's not a cat person. I will probably try to find her a good home but im seeing so many ads up for older cats for adoption and even free im wondering if finding a home for her would even be possible, Would it be better to keep her here and let her live out her life feed, loved, spoiled but confined to certain areas of the house or take her to a rescue group/shelter (if I could even find one that would take her most right now are full?) I know she can never have full run of the whole house as hubby is deffintly not a person to have a cat running around.
Also ive seen talk about taking cats outside on harnesses, tips, pointers on this. Shes decalwed should she still have a scratching post? What type of things do I need for her? What types of toys are needed? Litter box training tips so far were not having a good go of that but im working with her putting her poo in the box showing her the box even put it in themiddle of the floor of the room for her to see.
Basiacally anything and eveyrthing I should know about cats but have no CLUE on would be appreciated.


Answer:
Scratching post? Yes.. even declawed cats use a scratching post b/c it's instinct..
Toys? toy mice, balls (soft pom-pom type or with a bell inside), pipe cleaners.. I think there's a thread about homemade toys..
Litterbox training? She should already know how to use a litterbox... I suspect that could be the reason she was thrown out of her last home.. #1 reason that people give up their cats..
Where is she going to the bathroom right now? I understand she's alone in a basement room.. is she going in the corner of the room or in her bed?
Some reasons cats will stop using the litterbox are..
- Litterbox isn't clean - doesn't apply here since you haven't even had her long enough to get it dirty..
- Doesn't like the type of litter - what kind are you using? I'd try to use clay litter as its closest to sand/dirt that she's been using outside..
- Lack of privacy- doesn't apply as she's alone in a room..
- ***Stress- change in environment.. could very well be..
- ***Illness- if the cat feels pain when using the litterbox, she may associate the litterbox with pain and avoid using it..
How are her bowel movements? Are they normal, soft or does she have diarhhea? BM's are the biggest indicator of illness..
Hope this helps a bit.. if you have any other questions.. feel free to ask..


Answer:
Sue,
Ill look into getting her a scratching post (or making one) next month after the kids school stuff is taken care of.
Shes actually alone in my laundry room, away from my other critters. IF she ends up staying it will be down in the basment family room. She has been going in this cat tunnel I bought for the ferrets and brought up to her.
Litter box has aspen bedding in it right now (I know probably not the best but all I had on hand at the time),
Her BM's look normal, not to hard and not runny either.
Well she certainly has every right in the world to be stressed and not using it I mean probably tossed out of the only home she knew, BTW not ONE inquiry about her so far, and no reports of her missing to any surrounding human societys, or dog wardens, taken in by people she didnt know, attacked by racoon, then taken to another new place inside with so many diffrent smells and sounds, and a big dog to smell as well.
Can you give me pointers on encouraging her to use the litter box? I picked up her poo and put it in the box to hopefully show her thats where to go.


Answer:
You may have better luck with shredded newspaper. Aspen and pine smell foul to cats.


Answer:
I know that with my cats, to help train them to use the litter box we scratched there paws in it. We also went down and checked on them once every hour or two and automatically put them in the box. If she is going in a specific area of the room, then I would move the litter box over there, you may even want to invest in a couple litter boxes.
We always keep our cats on harnesses, as that way we know where they are and I find it very rude to let your cats roam free if you live in the city. My neighbours cat was killed by another family cat in our neighbourhood, even thought the dog was a bichon and was in its own yard sleeping. Cats also live alot longer when they are kept in the house and only let out on harnesses and leashes.


Answer:
Is she going in specific areas (if so, where?), or is it random?


Answer:
It probably is the Aspen that she's opposed to.. shredded paper or if you have any recycled paper pellets (Yesterday's news.. if you use that for your ferrets)..
Putting the poop into the box is a good idea and showing her where she's expected to go is also good.. but scratching the cats paws in the litterbox isn't really necessary since she's an adult cat not a kitten.. she 'knows' how to use a litterbox, she's just refusing to.. that's the difference..
Of course this is your decision but.. my own opinion on keeping the cat permanantly is that I don't think it's fair to your husband or the cat.. It's great that you're helping her and your hubby is being wonderful allowing the cat inside.. but I believe that unless ALL members of the family are in agreement then you shouldn't keep her. Banning the cat to the basement isn't really fair to the cat either.. It's fine temporarily, but not great for the rest of her life.. Just my


Answer:
Bridget so far shes only went in the tunnel thing I have for her to play in/lay in.
Sue any particualar brand of litter you reccomend? Im going to the store tomorrow so can pick up some.
Sue your right hubby is being very wonderful allowing her to stay while she heals and she will ONLY stay if he okay's it, I wont debat him or argue him into it. Our basment isnt like a empty basement either. Its got everything but carpet in the whole are (half of it is carpeted) lights, chairs, day bed, heat. Its also where we spend alot of our home time, so she wouldnt be banished so to speak, and during the school year I basically live down there all day while the kids are in school. Your right though the BEST situation will be to find her a home where she can have free roam of all over. My debate is that IF hubby okays it (only and only IF ) is confining her to the family room basement a better option than taking her to a very over filled shelters? Hopefully the choice wont come to that and I can find her a wonderful forever home.


Answer:
The brand isn't as important as the type.. I'd try clay litter first and then when she's consistently using the litterbox, you could slowly mix in clumping until eventually you are using clumping only.. Clumping litter is preferable to us humans b/c it's easy to scoop out the clumps everyday.. but I find that when you have a cat that is having issues with the litterbox, it's best to use non-clumping litter as its closer to what could be used outdoors..
Another thing to consider is how close is the cats food/water bowls to the litterbox.. It's like us eating in the bathroom.. it's a turn-off. So if they are close together I'd recommend moving the litterbox to the furthest side of the room away from the food.
I think that she is better off in your home (basement) over an over-crowded shelter.. most cats find it very stressful to be in a room full of strange cats.. can't say I blame them.. but I think finding her a home where she can have free-access would be even better.. The thing about living in the basement is cats should have alot of natural light.. I guess it depends on how many windows there are and how much natural light is let in.. every house is different.
I'd make up flyers and attach a nice picture of her on it.. she's a real cutie and pictures sell cats not an Ad in the paper.. point out that she's already declawed and most likely spayed b/c that is a big selling point for some people.. they know they don't have that expense just vaccinations..


Answer:
I highly recommend Yesterday's News Unscented. It's super duper absorbent, easy to clean, and has a soft texture (I've read that declawed cats prefer the feel of it).
Also, it doesn't have the weird dusty smell that other litters have. Gets my vote!