I got a 8 week old kitten from the humane society last week. They said it was litter box trained, but it isn't . It will go in the litter box sometimes, but other times it won't. It has the most awful meow I've ever heard and it keeps me up all night, along with my 18 month old. It's so hard to try to love it. I spent a lot of money on it, and so I don't want to have to get rid of it. I just can't handle the peeing and crying all the time. Does anyone else have a cat likethis that got better with time? What can I do? Sometimes it feels like the cat is trying to piss me off because it constantly needs attention. I pet it every night after my son goes to bed, and during his naps. My husband and I both work and go to school, and I just can't live like this much longer.
2007-10-27 07:10:58 · 8 answers · asked by Pregnant with Baby #2 6 in Pets ➔ Cats
The cat is not trying to piss you off, she is simply a baby and is frightened, confused, hungry, thirsty, tired, cold, stressed, etc. If she is constantly crying and nothing can stop it then she needs to go to the vet.
If you think it is a behavior problem, the easiest thing to do is confine the kitten to a bathroom or small room for awhile. A house can be overwhelming to a kitten that has spent time in a small cage at the shelter. Sometimes she can find the box and other times she can't.
Just place the box on the opposite side of the room from food and bed and give her a pingpong ball to play with in the bath tub. She will relax more if she is tired so she needs a handful of fishing pole toys of various types. If she is active during the day, gets a nice play in the evening and is then given her meal she is more likely to sleep through the night.
I would also look into a microwave pad for pets for her bed. She may be cold and used to being with her litter mates and this is causing her distress.
Many articles on where to put litter boxes and how to deal with problems.
http://www.metpet.com/Reference/Cats/Litterboxes/litterbox_for_kittens.htm
2007-10-27 11:42:08 · answer #1 · answered by WooHoo 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
First give the kitty a chance. I think its scared and lonesome for play pals like it had at the shelter. It will be fine wants it gets used to your home. This might take two or three weeks I know the peeing is awful she might have too much space.
I don't know where you have the litter box. I put mine in the basement and my cat didnt like that (I live in a townhouse so it was three floors) With an 18 month old placement of the litter box is different. Can you block her in one area. The one where her litter box is? give her a few toys and her own bed. I used an empty box for Velma and she loved it. I put an old blanket in it and a 1/2 cover on the top or you turn it upside down and cut an entrance in it.
Good Luck
2007-10-27 08:18:27 · answer #2 · answered by Sarelda 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It sounds like you have a lot on your plate and having a cat, especially a kitten, may not be the best thing for you right now. They look cute and are very tempting. But they do require a lot of love and attention. If, after taking an honest look at your situation, you don't feel that you can provide this for a kitten, it is not in your family's or your kitten's best interest for you to keep it.
If you do want to give it a try though, you may need to provide an additional litter box for your kitten. Cats get stressed out easilly and he could be avoiding the litter box for any number of reasons. Is the litter box you have in a quiet, private place? Is it easilly accessable to your kitten and can he easilly get in and out of it? Consider putting another litter box closer to where your cat seems to be peeing (if possible - I know that could be challenging with a baby around).
2007-10-27 08:08:01 · answer #3 · answered by abbasgirl 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I have 6 cats. All mine were strays or got from other people. I have one deaf cat. When I first got him, he did the same thing at night as yours did. When a baby kitten such as yours that is not use to your house or the surroundings they are scared, really scared. That's why you hear that wild meow all the time through the night. With my deaf cat that I got, I left the livingroom light on for him for about 2 weeks until he learned the layout of my house, and after that he was just fine. I think you should do the samething in some area of your home at night when you go to bed until he/she learns it doesn't need to be afraid. It'll work, you'll see. Also with the peeing on the floor and not the kitty litter. It's again from getting use to the new home. Make sure you get kitty litter that is NOT "clumps" when they pee or poop in it afterwards. Meaning, clump free. Most cats do not like that when they go back into the kitty litter box and find clumps in there. I use fresh step. I found that it was the best for all my cats, and I've used it for the past 15 yrs. I change my kitty litter every 3 days, and of course I have 2 condo's with all my cats, but with your one cat you need to make sure the kitty little is small enough for him/her to get into and also clean it regularly so that there are no germs to spread to the family and the cat itself. I'm sure you know all that though :) Also, get the little guy a lot of play toys and some nice soft blankets to lay on during the day. Soft play toys, little cat houses, things like that will make them feel much better. I also leave the tv on the Discover channel or something like that when I am not home to give my pets something to listen too when I am not here, and they feel others voices around to make them feel at ease. Try all these things, I think you might find them to work for you. Email me anytime for any questions you may have with him/her. Best of luck with you and your family. Piper
2007-10-27 08:05:29 · answer #4 · answered by chrmed_witch69 2 · 2⤊ 2⤋
You should have thought of that before you got the kitten. It is after all still a baby And like human BABIES it needs attention. Maybe your lifestyle and home isn't ready for a kitten. I would take it back to the humane society and have it readopted. You should wait a few years until your child is older and you have more time to devote to another creature being in your home. Animals need love to. :) By the way im no tree hugging animal rights nut. Just some one who likes cats, dogs, ects....
2007-10-27 07:22:01 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
wow you have a busy lifestyle...it does seem that the kitten is very needy. I think you should go through your options..i mean im sure you love the kitten and care for it but maybe you should just sell it to someone or give it away. That may sound very harsh but it doesn't seem like you have alot of time to spare to train a kitten....but you never know it might still be getting used to its surroundings and will eventually settle down. I think you should wait at least a month before deciding to get rid of the little kitten.
i hope it does settle and you grow to love it....it may also be missing its mum!!
2007-10-27 07:19:16 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 2⤋
clean Step is the best clutter around! I swear to it! Cats hate dusty clutter and that seems to me so plenty extra gentle. additionally, it covers the scent very properly. in case you have a coated container, make useful there isn't any door on it. Cats hate to bypass in dark factors and small factors (using dirt). make certain you clean it daily. Your puss would be choosy approximately how grimy it gets. i'm hoping this helped.
2016-12-18 18:42:14 · answer #7 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Take the kitten to the vet and get it checked out. It may have an infection.....or something else wrong to cause it to constantly cry....
2007-10-27 07:25:21 · answer #8 · answered by ♥♥The Queen Has Spoken♥♥ 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋