One of the hardest things I had to do

[MyBoySamson]

Yesterday was the day I gave up my cats. I had two cats, Buster and Abbey. Buster we rescued from a vet here locally and Abbey was a barn cat. Buster was nuetered and was peeing all over our downstairs. I do scrapbooks and my office was downstairs but I moved it up stairs when his problem got worse. We tried everything, locking both of them up in the utility room until he would start using his litter box. The problem worsened, he starting using our downstairs for more than just peeing. It got bad. So my bf and I made a descision Sunday night. We want to remodel the down stairs, but we were afraid if we laid new carpet, then he would just do the same thing. It was a very TOUGH descision for both of us. The reason Abbey went with him was because Buster was her protector. Abbey got into a lot of things (barn-cat instinct), I don't think he could be without her. She also scratched the walls and door frames because she would climb them. (She was de-clawed!) The vet, were I take Samson, told me they would try their hardest to keep them together. I sure hope so.

The worst part was hearing them crying in there pet carrier over to the vet were I rescued Buster 4 years ago. They knew something was wrong when I was crying and taking them somewhere.

I was torn up all night. This morning it was also hard because Abbey wasn't there to follow me around while I got ready for work. And during the night no cat races in the halls, which are sort of like Boxer burns. No meowing. It will be hard to get used to but I hope we did this for the better. I hope they find a good home where they have more time to try to correct Buster of this nasty habit.

 

[Laurie_Duke]

Sometimes the best of descisions are the hardest...I will keep these kitties in my thoughts so that they are able to stay together in the future !!!


Laurie

 

[Claudia807]

I would just like to point out, to others who might be reading this thread, that there are many things that can be done to help cats in this predicament. I'm not saying that the poster didn't try them, but I hate to see people give up on a cat because of litterbox problems. One little secret that vets will seldom tell you is that declawing often has a negative effect on litterbox training. So that is something to consider when you declaw a cat. My sister had her cats declawed and they haven't used the litterbox since. The female had one deformed claw grow back and things got even worse.

Sometimes cats just do not like the feel of the litter on their paws. Cats are very particular about the substrate. Some cats are fine with regular litter, some like other types. So sometimes you have to experiment. Some demand privacy and won't pee without a hood over the box. Some won't share a litterbox with other cats, so you have to have multiple boxes.

I have a friend who does cat rescue and she even volunteers for a hotline where people can call with their cat-related questions. There are a lot of sources for help.

 

[MyBoySamson]

There was really no hope. We tried all kinds of litters, multiple boxes, it felt impossible. He also had this problem when we first got him, before we got any other animals. The vets weren't much help. And I'm not home 24/7 to help him, so I think that it was definetly for the best.

They will always be with us, in our hearts.

 

[Laila63139]

Please see my cat urinating thread...

I would just like to point out, to others who might be reading this thread, that there are many things that can be done to help cats in this predicament. I'm not saying that the poster didn't try them, but I hate to see people give up on a cat because of litterbox problems.

I would like to add to Claudia's comments and refer anyone else reading this thread to one I started about a month ago (named "Cat urinating everywhere, can anyone help??"). My Petey has the same nasty habits as Buster and I'm in the middle of tackling the problem right now. Thankfully I can say what the vet suggested appears to be a success so far.

I am praying that I do not have to do the same in the near future. MyBoySampson, my thoughts are with you.