Kitty advice

[GLC1968]

We have an indoor/outdoor cat, but we now live in the country and it's necessary to control the rodent issues.

When we got him though, we lived in the suburbs. In fact, we got him because DH wanted a pet that was 'his' and my dog was NOT dog friendly. We opted for a cat.

We picked one from a shelter that was very young. He was also extremely timid. This worked for us. 1) he was so young that he quicklly adjusted to the dog. The dog was fine with the cat once she learned that the cat was now a part of the family. We never had another issue. 2) he was so timid that he was terrified of even going outside!

Once he got the hang of going outside with us as attendents, he started to learn to go on his own but he never left the back deck. Then he advanced beyond the deck into the yard. He never left our yard and only once went to the neighbors when we'd accidently left him out in a rain storm and he needed a dry place to hide (under their shed). He did bring us the occasional mouse, but never any birds. We've since learned that his vision is off. He can't catch birds because his depth perception is wrong! He can only catch animals that he can corner!!

Now he's been with us 5 years. He's terrified of cars, stays near to the house even in the country and he won't even come out from under the bed when the coyotes are in the area.

We've never had a scratching problem (he does it outside) and he no longer even has a litter box because now he uses the dog door. We did keep a box for him in our other homes but it would reside in the spare bathroom and I don't think we had a smell issue. We did have trouble with keeping the dogs out of the litter box though - THAT sucked.

He is still absolutely a PITA though. I think that's part of being a cat (and clearly skewed by my opinion since I'm definitely a dog person).

[Aint Doody]

Another way to deter unwanted behavior is to keep a spray bottle with water handy. A quick spritz in the face works wonders. Then all you have to do is show the spray bottle, and they get it.

[badger]

one more thing to add about litter: After basically trying everything, I've found that using pine pellets (also used in horse stalls) are the best. They're also the cheapest when compared to everything else (about $5-$7 per 40lb bag). They puff up when they come into contact with liquid, so they can even be composted if you have the capability.

I find that if you clean it on a daily basis, the litter box doesn't smell at all. I found the clumping kind to be the worst in odor control and keeping it clean, and I also had my male cat get a slight urinary tract irritation from what I believe was the clay dust. And they're so bad for the environment.

[Eden]

I use Swheat Scoop its made of wheat, does clump, but is not dusty like clay and does really well at odor control. Most importantly the cats like it. I also provide them with a big box - not a litter box at all, but one of those under the bed boxes. (I have a basement fortunately, so I have space to do this)

My cats are entirely indoors. Outdoor cats around here disappear way too regularly. I would be absolutely heart broken if either of them was eaten by a coyote, killed by a raccoon or run over by a car - these things all happen here even though I live in the middle of the city!

[Biciclista]

I am surprised that so many of you do not use clay. Since 80% of the earth's crust is clay, why is using clay bad for the environment? I know it's bad for kittens and do no use it with Kittens, but why is it bad otherwise?

[Eden]

I don't like the dust, the perfumes that most clay litters have (though I'm guessing you can probably find brands that don't have this) nor do I like the tendency that it has to get a bit muddy when in contact with liquids... I had a cat who had a tendency to step in it, then track muddy clay prints around the house - icky.. Plus the wheat litter cleans out of the box better and is a better odor controller - without any added scents.

The shelter I volunteer at uses clay. Some of the shelter kitties sit in their litter boxes - they end up with clay all through their fur. It is nasty and I'm betting that it sure doesn't make them more adoptable...

[spokewench]

I used to use clay with my cats when they were younger, but with a 23 year old cat; it does not work. It gets stuck in his feet and creates a health hazard and causes him pain. I have used the pine litter and newspaper litter; both work well; and I'm glad they do not have perfumes in them.

[tctrek]

To train cats to use a scratching post, rub some catnip on the post ... they really love the kind that is sisal rope wrapped around a post. You can make one yourself pretty easily. I don't use carpet scratching posts, 'cause that gives them the idea it's ok to scratch carpet.

I have nine indoor cats, all with claws and none of them scratch my furniture.