Cat people, WWYD?

[juliahenry]

We are looking to adopt a cat. Today, we went to one of the local rescue places to look. I took both dcs (almost 4 and 8) and the most wonderful cat kind of picked us.

shes about 2, was playful but not pushy, went back and forth between both dcs equally and seemed to like them both. Friendly, gentle, sweet.

the rescue org. Allows you to foster for a week, can return, no questions asked. Which is great for us because we have a dog and while she has lived with a cat before, I like the idea of making sure everyone gets along.

they mentioned that she had been fostered before and then returned for "peeing on the carpet." The volunteer didn't know quite what that meant -whether there were a lot of incidents or just one or two, whether she went to a home with other cats, or had her own fresh litter box, etc etc.

wwyd? Foster the cat for a week and see? Or keep looking? 

She was so sweet and good with everyone, she watched us through the window while we were leaving, and she seemed perfect. But...there might be a litter box issue...

any advice? Thanks.

[mnvegas]

Does this cat use the litter box at the shelter with no issue? If so, it may be the cat was very anxious when she was fostered before. She may have been marking, which does happen. When we move into our new house about a year and half ago, one of our cats would sometimes pee outside her box. I bought some Dr. Elsey's cat attract litter and that solved the problem.

You could also pick up some of those cat pheromone diffusers or rescue remedy to alleviate anxiety she may have in her new surroundings.

I really can't give you advice on whether you should or not foster her. Personally if I had a cat for a week, I would never be able to return it.

Best of luck!

[momof2boys]

I don't know what I would do but I will say I work at an animal hospital and we've had several cats brought into our hospital to be euthanized b/c of not using the litterbox. We refuse to euthanize a healthy animal so we will have them surrender the cat to us, we keep it in a cage for several days with a litter box. If they are using the box we let them out into a room...if they continue to use the box we give them free reign of the hospital. Once they pass that test they get put up for adoption. MOST of the time when adopted out they have done fine...I can only think of one instance where the woman complained that the cat was having accidents and in that case she also took the cat off the prescription diet food she needed for urinary issues. Usually there was something in the environment causing the issue. Good luck with your decision!

[juliahenry]

Thank you! We loved her - she was super sweet and really seemed to like both kids equally (not something that happens often with kids that far apart).

We think we are going to go ahead. The week of fostering with the opportunity to return her at the end makes me feel pretty confident that we can make the right decision for everyone. I think there's a pretty good chance she might be ok with proper help adjusting and a second chance.

[katietornado]

It is my experience that this sort of behavior is super situational. It's possible the previous owners had not enough litter boxes, or something happened in the box to scare the cat away from using it, or she had an untreated UTI, or the litter box was never clean enough.

I say definitely give it a shot. Give her some privacy for a few days though, away from the dog. Dogs can be really stressful for cats. Shut her in a room for the first few days, and spend plenty of time with her. Slowly let her out to the rest of the house and make sure the litter box is always clean.

You are awesome for considering an adult cat, and one that potentially has "issues." Adult cats have such a harder time getting adopted vs. kittens, and it's so unfair. You'll have to keep us updated!

[juliahenry]

Thanks, katietornado! I think we would prefer an adult, all things considered. We're going to go to another local cat place and see if anyone gets along with both kids as well as that other cat did. Then, dh and I will apply for whichever one is the best fit and see how it goes.

I think I kind of know how it's going, though. I want to call her Cleo and Dh is pushing for Tallulah. Once you name them, it's pretty much done.

[niemand88f]

I'm glad you're going to give her a chance, and happy you're considering an adult! As PP have indicated, it's not common for cats to not use the litterbox unless they're sick or stressed. I think it's more likely that the first home was a bad fit, dirty litterbox or improper introduction the the household. Good luck with whatever cat you end up adopting! And report back

[sarahsas]

One of my cats had a "bathroom issue" with her former family. Was returned. She has not with us.

[stellamonsterr]

It is difficult to know why a cat has litter box issues. It could be as simple as stress, not enough litter boxes, doesn't like the litter substrate or it could be a physical problem. If you love the kitty, and she seems like a good fit. Try it. I love that you want to adopt an older kitty. Most take longer to adjust but with the right home she will do wonderfully. Katietornado has great ideas for adjusting. We used the bathroom because it was a place where everyone would spend time in, and they would have privacy when needed.

That being said, we have an 8ish year old male that we adopted in 2007. He started having litter box issues and we had him tested and everything came back normal. The Vet thinks he has an inflamed bladder which may be caused by stress or is IBD and allergies. We have to make sure he eats canned food to get enough water through his system. The problem we have with that is that he also has IBD so can only eat certain foods. We are still working out the kinks, but he's doing much better.

[atlas]

juliahenry I know this is an older thread and no clue if you went with the cat, but figured I would give my advice anyway.

Cat Attract. It is a type of litter that is insane. We have had numerous inappropriate urinaters. Our 2 current cats have probably been the worst offenders. Bought this Cat Attract litter because someone at our pet store highly recommended it. They have not gone to the bathroom anywhere else since.

[Deleted]

You can have my cat! He's beautiful, and sweet, but needs way too much attention. When he doesn't get the attentionhe seeks, he walks around the house screechily meowing until someone pets him. :/

[Kim]

juliahenry, take the cat and give her some love and cuddles for a week. She'd appreciate it.