Problem Pee'r back at it

[John Popp]

Yeah, I know about my sister, being a crazy cat person (I think 5 of them at the moment) she always thinks this time will be it no matter how many times I've implore her to just leave him alone. You know, cat whisperer psychosis. I actually think they would get along fine if she just didn't try to pick him up.

As for where he pees, it's at the doors or open windows after guests have departed. Guests are probably at our home 2-3 times per week. Generally nothing formal, perhaps a couple cocktails and a brief visit which is enough to push Kebu over the edge.

Also with my sister, she is the care taker when we are away. I'll have the talk with her about picking up the big guy and despite her heartbreak I'm sure she'll oblige. Just hope this is actually it.

 

[Brigitte Cowell]

Weird that you say she is a cat person, as mostly I would think a true cat person would know not to force a relationship onto a cat but to allow the cat to choose when to interact.

I like the idea mentioned just above of asking all guests to absolutely ignore the cat. You may not totally stop it but I'd think if his issue is the visitors the less interactions with them the better. Maybe even shutting him in a room until after they have left might help. It might be worth at least trialling to see if he's happier not even laying eyes on visitors. He'd still know they'd been there of course, but maybe it would be less upsetting?

 

[mhardy12]

Great suggestion Brigitte. When we know we're going to have more than a couple of people over, kids or if they're staying for more than an hour or so I lock Taz in the laundry room where his food, water and litter box are. I figure he'll be less stressed locked up for a while as opposed to dealing with a bunch of people. It really seems to work for us. He hasn't pee'd since Thanksgiving.

 

[John Popp]

Weird that you say she is a cat person, as mostly I would think a true cat person would know not to force a relationship onto a cat but to allow the cat to choose when to interact.

She'll lay on the floor with him for 30-40 minutes to gain his trust and then blow it all when she tries to pick him up. He'll only allow me to pick him up for a minute or two unless I pick him up in superman pose and fly him through the house. Strangest thing as he would allow me to do that until my arms give out and has enjoyed it since he was a kitten. Must be the higher vantage point and none of our other cats ever found any amusement in it. He'd also prefer to be rubbed with your foot than pet with your hand, basically just an odd duck.

 

[Brigitte Cowell]

Cats can be very odd sometimes, but then so can us humans ;-)

I think a "no picking up the cat" rule needs to be enforced. Unless in an emergency and the cats need to be evacuated. It can't hurt to prevent the one thing you know he hates... and it just might help their relationship...

 

[John Popp]

Cats can be very odd sometimes, but then so can us humans ;-)

I think a "no picking up the cat" rule needs to be enforced. Unless in an emergency and the cats need to be evacuated. It can't hurt to prevent the one thing you know he hates... and it just might help their relationship...

My sister was just here this evening and we talked about it and she said it has been over 5 years since she last tried to pick him up. I guess I just had mistaken his squawks as an attempt to be picked up. With all her cats, I'm sure that's already more than enough to set him off.

 

[John Popp]

Good for a week and released from his sequester room for a carefully watched few hours without issue. Returned to his room and a few hours later back at it again. Definitely frustrated.

 

[Brigitte Cowell]

:-(

Very frustrating....

 

[John Popp]

Yep, we are back tracking again. I'm beginning to think that he wants his own defined space away from the other cats which would totally suck. The only way that happens is he is probably only going to have a couple hours a day with humans. Not that he always hasn't been a bit of a loner, but he'd always spend time with his brother who passed away last year. Just not a good way for him to wind down his final days.

 

[WitchyWoman]

I'm so sorry John. But it does sound like he's setting his terms for those final days and will probably be content with them.