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Someone contacted us on surrendering a cat because it was going outside the litter box . Often cats will go next their litter box for a variety of reasons. They do this to try and get their owner’s attention since they can’t shout “Hey, I there is problem here!”
Have you considered all options on why your cat is not using the litter box?
Have you taken her to the vet to be evaluated? It may be that she has a UTI or some other problem. Your cat is trying to tell you it does not feel well.
Have you using a kitty litter with a strong scent? The scents are for humans but can be really offensive to cats. Cats live by their nose rubbing their cheeks and bodies on you as a friendly way to establish scent. The scent may discouraging the cat from going inside the litter box. As humans, no one wants to be in elevator with the person with bad body odor or reeks of perfume/ cologne. Kitty litter scents can be just as shocking and the cat is trying to give you a thumbs down vote.
Have changed the kitty litter brand? By changing from one brand to another can be offensive if the smell is different (see above) or the texture is different for their paws. If you want to change litter brands, do it gradually by mixing a small amount into what is familiar. Keep gradually increasing the mix so the transition is easy and feel comfortable.
Do you not scoop the litter box on a regular basis? Cats will stop using a litter box if it is too full. If you are not consistent, consider buying an automatic litter box that will scoop itself.
Did you add another cat to the household? Some cats are fine to share the litter box versus others will not. Cats are scent sensitivity when it comes to territory. Consider adding an extra box.
Is the litter box in a quiet area? If cats become startled by loud noises while in the box, the cat could be afraid to crawl into it. Is there is a dog, child, or another cat that pokes or attacks the cat when it tries to use its litter box? Cats are predators but also prey animals so they need to feel safe when using a litter box. (Humans too are known to have performance issues when using public restrooms!) Consider moving the litter box to a new location where your kitty can do its business undisturbed. This noise issue also applies to food dishes.
Contact us at info@babybobbysmeowhouserescue.org if you have other questions. When in doubt, please take your cat to a vet for evaluation!
The below information is from PetFinder.com. Be prepared should be your mantra when bringing a new pet into your home. Cats are particularly sensitive to new surroundings and s
Rescued Black Kitten
ome may hide under a bed or in a closet for days or even weeks. You can avoid pitfalls with your new critter and help him or her adapt more easily by following these guidelines.
Tips for the First 30 Days of Cat Adoption
Before You Bring Your Cat Home:
Cats are territorial, and coming into a new home leaves them feeling really uneasy. There’s all that unexplored space, and who knows what may lurk there. Do him a favor and provide a small area to call his own for the first few days or weeks. A bathroom or laundry room works well. Furnish the room with cat amenities, such as food, water and a litter box. You’ll want to spend time with your cat, so make sure there’s a comfortable place for you to sit as well.
Fill a litter box with one or two inches of litter and place it in his room where he can use it undisturbed. After all, everyone deserves a modicum of privacy when pottying, and giving him that will help forestall litter box aversion. Not sure which litter to choose? Check out How to Choose A Cat Litter on PetFinder.com.
Set up a feeding station with food and water bowls. Locate it away from the litter box. For more cat feeding and nutrition tips, visit PetFinder.com’s Pet Nutrition section.
Rescued Tabby Kitten
Cats love to get away from it all in small places, and you can provide one for your new cat as his own little safe haven. If he came home in a cat carrier, that might be a good choice. You can also make one by cutting a doorway for her in the end of a box. If you prefer, you can buy a covered cat bed at a pet supply store. In either case, make sure the space is big enough for the cat to stand up and turn around in. Cat “feng shui” probably requires that he or she be able to see the door to the room from his hidey hole, so he won’t be startled.
A cat’s claws need to be worn down, and they do this by scratching on things. Since you prefer that it not be your chairs and sofa, provide your cat with a socially acceptable scratching place. Some types are made of corrugated cardboard and lie on the floor; others are posts which have to be tall enough so that the cat can extend himself upward to scratch. You can encourage your cat (once he has arrived) to use the post by sprinkling it with catnip or dangling a toy at the top. He’ll get the idea. You’ll probably want a scratching post in each room where there is soft furniture, perhaps blocking access to it. You can also install sticky tape (available at pet supply stores) to corners of upholstered furniture to dissuade scratching. Don’t miss these tips on how to cut down on kitty’s scratching, how to choose a scratching post, and facts about declawing cats.
Rescued Tabby Kittens for Adoption
Look at your house with a curious cat’s eye view for its climbing and exploring potential. When your cat is acclimated to your home, you may be surprised to find him on top of the upper kitchen cabinets, so make sure there’s nothing on display there or on other high shelves that can be damaged or knocked off.
Look for holes or registers that leave ductwork accessible and cover them up. A kitten can easily slither into one of these. You won’t want firemen in the house, jackhammering the concrete floor to extract your cat.
If possible, buy a cat tree for your new family member. Cats like to survey their territory, so a high perch is often a favored resting place.
If there are other human family members, go over the ground rules about your new pet. Remind them not to startle him and to keep the door to his room shut.
Now, you are ready for your cat’s homecoming. Preferably, bring her home in a cat carrier. It will feel safer to her. She has seen a lot of excitement, so take her directly to her new room. (Make sure the toilet lid is down, if she’s to acclimate in your bathroom.) Ideally, you would restrict her exposure to the whole family, but naturally, everyone is going to want to see her. Remind them of the ground rules you’ve set up.
Sit on the floor and let her come to you. Don’t force her. Just let her get acquainted on her own time. If she doesn’t approach, leave her alone and try again later. Some cats are particularly frightened, and she may retreat to her hidey hole and not come out when you’re around at all. She may only come out at night when the house is quiet. Give her time.
Your newly adopted cat may not eat much or at all at first. It’s best to give your cat the same food she had at the shelter or in her foster home, at least at first. Keeping some things familiar will make her feel more secure. Be sure to change her water frequently and make sure that she is drinking. If your cat hasn’t eaten for a few days, call your vet to ask for advice.
Following Weeks:
Rescued Tabby Kittens Snuggled
It may take your cat a week or two to adjust. Be patient.
As your cat adjusts, she’ll show signs that she wants to explore outside her safe haven. Make sure other pets or family members won’t startle her while she gradually expands her territory. She may be ready to play, so you can furnish some toys. Many cats like feather wands from the pet supply store, but homemade toys are often favored. A wad of a tissue paper to bat around or a paper bag to hide in can be fun. For more ideas on how to keep your cat entertained see Keeping Your Cat from Getting Bored.
Congratulations! If you follow these tips, you’ll be on your way to having a well-adjusted feline family member.
We are a no-kill rescue. All healthy animals will receive a home! Once a cat comes into our rescue, it is placed in a volunteer’s home as a foster cat until adoption.
Please note that our non-profit is a cat rescue and not an animal shelter. We are staffed by volunteers who donate their time as they have availability. We will do our best to respond quickly but please allow up to a week for us to respond to correspondence that we receive because our lives get busy too!
If you need immediate assistance for an animal, please contact your local area shelter. For the cities of Canyon Lake, Lake Elsinore, Murrieta, Temecula, Wildomar and Menifee, you can contact Animal Friends of the Valley in Wildomar at their regular business line (951) 674-0618. For after hours emergencies, the Animal Friends of the Valley answering service number is 951-506-5069. If you live in the greater Riverside County area then click here to follow this link to the Riverside County Department of Animal Services.
Advice on Surrendering Your Cat
Our cat rescue can only take in animals provided that we have an open foster home willing to take the animal. If we are unable to take your pet, here are some tips from PetFinder.com about your next steps.
Deciding to Surrender Your Pet and Options
It is a huge decision to give away your pet, no matter how long or brief the period of time of ownership. Remember, for whatever reason you no longer are choosing to keep this pet, YOU are the person in this world who loves your pet more than anyone else and YOU no longer want your pet! First ask yourself if there is anything about your pet behaviorally or personality-wise that could be worked on in order for you to keep him. It is exceedingly difficult to find good, permanent homes for adolescent or adult animals (as you are finding out first-hand). There are a few things you need to do to be responsible and caring until the last possible moment:
Take your pet to the veterinarian for a check-up, vaccinations, and, most importantly spaying/neutering! If you were thinking that your pet might make a good breeding animal, STOP! Why breed from an animal that no-one wants anymore? Why make more unwanted animals in a world where even great pets dont remain very long in their first homes? You want someone to adopt your pet as a COMPANION, not because it might make a good or profitable breeding animal. You are much more apt to find a responsible, permanent home by placing an already sterilized pet. Get it done: its the least you can do, and the best thing you can do.
Spaying and neutering also reduces the risk your pet will run away from its next home, and helps to insure that your pet won’t urine mark his new home and thus become quickly unwanted again!
If your pet is already spayed or neutered, and has not bitten anyone,try to find a new home for your pet through advertising. Place a classified ad in your local newspaper, and screen any callers carefully. Be completely honest about all your pet’s behaviors, good and bad. No pet is perfect, and people are more likely to adopt a pet they know about, for better or worse. When screening callers, tell every caller that someone has already come to look at your pet, but you are still taking names and telephone numbers and references, in case, so you can call them back. This gives you an instant out if you think the caller is not right for your pet, and hurts no ones feelings.
Take a few good, color photos and make some posters. Include your pet’s name (it personalizes him…) and include his best traits, his most endearing qualities, and some guidelines for the best possible home: i.e., no small kids, someone whos home a lot, no other pets, good for experienced dog owner, etc.
Be careful in choosing an animal shelter. Visit the kennels, meet the staff, familiarize yourself with the shelter’s policies. A No Kill policy might look good at first, but not if your dog will end up living out his life in the kennels.
If your pet is aggressive, or has nipped or bitten someone, EVER, then please get a professional behavioral evaluation before giving away your pet. Check with state and local laws, too, about liability in re-homing a pet with prior knowledge of aggression. Do not try to find a new home for an aggressive animal without professional help.
If your pet has a behavior problem, he’ll take it with him to the next home. Many problems are workable, or at least manageable. Contact a trainer or behavior counselor and see if its not possible to work things out so you can keep your pet.
Advice on Deciding to Surrender Your Pet and Options
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