Bengal cat question?

Question

How old does a Bengal have to be to start spraying? Takarra will be 4 months on Nov. 26th. I'm getting her spayed, but it's going to be next month when my husband is done with his truck driving training and I can afford it without having to go broke. She's an indoor cat and all my others are fixed, so I'm not worried about pregnancy. (she can't get out at all she'd have to make it past my door and 2 other doors downstairs to get out.)

Anyways, I'm concerned because sometimes she won't use the litter box. I have 3 cats and 3 litterboxes, including a kitten litterbox that my adult cats won't use at all, but for some reason if she's mad at me or I don't feed her the very second she demands food, then she'ss squat and pee. She's even tried doing it on my bed. If the litterbox has just been changed, she has no problem with using it, but once it's been scooped a few times, she's right back to peeing on the floor. think she may be tying to spray. yes female cats do spray!

Any sugestion on why she is doing this? How can I make her stop until I get her spayed? Her Vet says she's heathy, so it isn't a medical problem. Also, are the Crystals litter safe to use with kittens? I tried the Feline Pine and my other 2 refused to use it. I don't use clumping because I have a rabbit and he tried to lick the litter the first time I let him out of his cage. he's never done it since, but I don't want him to get sick if he were to try it. I know the self cleaning litter boxes aren't safe to use with kittens. Also I can't kjust leave her food out because she insist on only eating canned food. the other 2 eat dry food, but she won't touch it even though it's expensive and meat based (no corn or by-products.)

I really don't think it is health related since the only times she does it is if I scold her for something, like getting on the table or scratching the furniture instead of her scratching post. or if I work over and she doesn't get her 4 pm feeding. Also, if I don't scoop the litterbox as soon as she is done pooping, she won't use it until it is scooped. It seems more like she's just wanting her way about everything. She's been to the vet because my first thought was UTI, but she's fine. If I shut her in the bathroom then she doesn't potty on the floor. She loves the other cats, but won't use a litterbox after they have.I can't leave her shut in the bathroom because that is where the Rabbit is. Also, there is no way for me to spay her right now. I don't make a lot of money and her spay will copst over $100 dollars, that's just about what I bring home a week, so If I spay her, then my other 2 cats suffer for a week. Once my husband is done training, we can spay,but not before.

Answer 1

My bengal cat Tigger did the same thing.I think it is a personailty trait.I had to change his litter box everyday.Not just change the litter either I had to was it out has well.They are very strong willed cats.They want what the want and now not when you get around to it.Basically they are just spoiled.Fixing Tigger didn't make him stop the only thing that did was the changing of the litter box all the time.And when we had two cats the other one had to have its own box Tigger won't use the box if our cat Bat did.He didn't want to share his box not even with his grandson.

Answer 2

We have two Bengal cats in our household both male and female. They were fixed at 12 weeks (the male) and 16 weeks (the female). We were instructed by the veterinarian that prolonging it any further than this in both cases could be a recipe for disaster in regards to spraying/going into heat, behavioral changes, etc.

I understand that this type of procedure is costly but if you do not do it soon you may run into problems. As with any cats, spraying is not the only problem. If you let the cat mature too long before spaying or neutering, behavioral changes can take place that cannot be reversed. Maybe you could explain your situation to your veterinarian and work out some sort of payment arrangement given the circumstances. Most are willing in these types of circumstances because they realize the importance of it.

In relation to the cat box situation, we have the same issue. Some cats are finicky and I personally do not feel that it is related to this situation. Also, you might want to be sure that you cat does not have a urinary tract infection which is the main cause of urinating outside of the litter box.

Good luck to you and enjoy your Bengal! They are great fun!!

Answer 3

HI there again...some Bengals will begin territorial marking as young as 4 months. It's imperative to have her spayed as soon as possible or this will become a behavioural habit which will be nearly difficult to extinguish even after she is spayed. Since finances are of concern consider having the spay procedure performed by any of your local shelters which can be done for a low fee or even for free if you qualify as low income. You can contact 1-800-SPAY-USA to find the nearest shelter to schedule an appointment.

Some Bengals who inappropriately soil have benefitted from short term anti-depressants for behavioural problems, which may be the case for her as this sounds aggression/anxiety related. The spraying is more responsive to anti-anxiety drugs than other types of inappropriate soiling. However, medication is only part of the solution, and must be used in conjunction with environmental changes. This would be something to discuss with your vet if spaying doesn't resolve her habit. (see bottom two web links for more info).

Here's a literature on causes of all house soiling problems : http://www.vet.cornell.edu/fhc/brochures/housesoiling.html

Feline Aggression/anxiety disorders: http://www.nhahonline.com/f_aggress.htm
Feline Behavioural problems: http://loudoun.nvcc.edu/vetonline/vet116/Cats/catproblems.htm

Answer 4

have you had the vet check her for urinary tract problems? if that's not a problem, some cats are just very picky about the litter box. do you leave out dry cat food that she can get to any time?

Answer 5

get a second option from another vet have her checked out and make sure the vet checks for infections
thank you