Traumatized Savannah f5

[MYNXX]

I get in bed tonight, and sure enough pee..... I don't understand. I have tried everything. If I took a guess, I could only think I haven't played with her enough, or that i stopped using the calming tincture too soon.... She comes out of the closet a lot more, but is still very scared, and by being out of the closet, she gets in the way of me moving around, and consequently gets scared. So I have closed the door to the closet, but this is crazy. The collar doesn't seem to have done anything. I stopped the calming tincture cause she seemed good - so it's back to that..... Starting to think there will never be an end with this one...

 

[Patti]

Do you have any down on your bed, e.g., a down comforter or pillow? Down is a pee magnet for cats. If you are using down items I would strongly recommend switching to something else. You need clean the mattress thoroughly - literally soak it - with a strong enzyme cleaner such as Anti Icky Poo. You may want to do this more than once to ensure that all the urine is truly gone. Are you able to cover the bed with a waterproof tarp when you are not in it? A tarp will not allow the pee to soak in and will get the kitty's feet wet which she won't like, therefore discouraging her from continuing to pee on the bed.

I can't remember if we discussed it before but are you keeping the litterbox clean, e.g., scooping after each use? Is it uncovered? Large enough for her to easily use? In a semi-private area? Have you tried different litters? Did you try Dr. Elsey's Cat Attract litter or additive?

The fear will not go away in a matter of days or probably even weeks. As some have testified, it can sometimes take months or years to win a cat over once if has fallen into a cycle of fear.

 

[Kristin]

I was talking to my classmate, who has done extensive Ayurveda work and he told me that the Bach Flower remedies typically sold isn't made properly, explaining its low success rate. I believe he said it was more homeopathic than a true Bach remedy.

He gets his from this company, and has used it with animals with a lot more success than the typically bought remedies. I haven't purchased it yet, so I can't say from personal experience that it works, however I will likely be adding some to my dispensary as I become a practitioner.

http://www.creaturecomforters.org/bach-remedy-stock-bottles.html

 

[MYNXX]

I was talking to my classmate, who has done extensive Ayurveda work and he told me that the Bach Flower remedies typically sold isn't made properly, explaining its low success rate. I believe he said it was more homeopathic than a true Bach remedy.

He gets his from this company, and has used it with animals with a lot more success than the typically bought remedies. I haven't purchased it yet, so I can't say from personal experience that it works, however I will likely be adding some to my dispensary as I become a practitioner.

http://www.creaturecomforters.org/bach-remedy-stock-bottles.html

I haven't tried Bach - I have been using nutricalm... Which is pretty effective.. She looks very drowsy and high when I give her a full dose... When I stop using it, it's back to the old routine, SO, now I am considering prozac. I will give it another period of time, and then we will see how that goes...

 

[MYNXX]

Do you have any down on your bed, e.g., a down comforter or pillow? Down is a pee magnet for cats. If you are using down items I would strongly recommend switching to something else. You need clean the mattress thoroughly - literally soak it - with a strong enzyme cleaner such as Anti Icky Poo. You may want to do this more than once to ensure that all the urine is truly gone. Are you able to cover the bed with a waterproof tarp when you are not in it? A tarp will not allow the pee to soak in and will get the kitty's feet wet which she won't like, therefore discouraging her from continuing to pee on the bed.

I can't remember if we discussed it before but are you keeping the litterbox clean, e.g., scooping after each use? Is it uncovered? Large enough for her to easily use? In a semi-private area? Have you tried different litters? Did you try Dr. Elsey's Cat Attract litter or additive?

The fear will not go away in a matter of days or probably even weeks. As some have testified, it can sometimes take months or years to win a cat over once if has fallen into a cycle of fear.

I have a cover on my bed, thank god. And yes I have a down blanket, and a couple pillows, but she hasn't touched those, she pee's where my head goes on the bed.... Which tells me it is very deliberately about me....

 

[Carykd7kau]

Do you use cologne or after shave? If so, try NOt using it. My 3 yr old girl hates any but English Leather.

 

[NikkiA]

I hate to say this, but you may need to give her more time. We had an issue which started with our boy Jarvis having an accident (I mean that literally- he got pounced on and peed himself out of fear, then started marking), and escalated due to our inability to know what to do.
We consulted extensively with our vet, ran a ginormous number of tests multiple times, and eventually a behaviorist, Marilyn Kreager, successfully.
But it takes time.
We had elimination issues for about 11 months before we finally started to figure it out, with the help of house calls from our vet, and it took a consult with Marilyn, a change in food and routine to start to solve the underlying issues. We have now been (not much but it feels like a lot) 2 weeks with no accidents or other peeing outside the box.
It is possible.
You may just need to keep trying. It is also really important, Marilyn told me, not to get upset with the cat. That is hard when the kitty pees on your bed. I understand. I have a new mattress as a result of the issues we were working through with Jarvis feeling threatened and then reacting to us getting upset with him. The precious one was not old. Sometimes it is really hard.
But it can be fixed.
Hang in there, and I know it is hard, but try to be patient. These things are, unfortunately, not solved overnight.

 

[Patti]

Do you use cologne or after shave? If so, try NOt using it. My 3 yr old girl hates any but English Leather.

Shampoo/conditioner is another culprit that could be encouraging the inappropriate urination.

 

[Carykd7kau]

Also, remember that cats are strongly driven by pheromones. If you use a cologne or other toiletry that contain pheromones, there is no telling how a cat may react. I know that Human pheromones are different than Feline pheromones, but they still may be perceievd as a threat to their territory.

 

[MYNXX]

Also, remember that cats are strongly driven by pheromones. If you use a cologne or other toiletry that contain pheromones, there is no telling how a cat may react. I know that Human pheromones are different than Feline pheromones, but they still may be perceievd as a threat to their territory.

I don't use cologne... Not around the house anyways... But The question now, being at such a stand still, Do I continue to keep them separated until I see more progress in her, or set a limit...?