Conference misery::feline_v1

    If the urinating in the wrong place is recent (just the pooping in
    the wrong place has been going on for years, yes?) Benjamin may have
    a urinary tract infection.  Peeing in the wrong place is a classic
    sign.  As for the pooping, many cats require two litter boxes, one
    for each thing, sigh.
    
    Another possibility with the peeing is that Benjamin is feeling 
    the changes going on in the household, and even with the attention
    needs extra assurance.
    
                      

    Just to be sure, he is neutered, isn't he?  If not, that could be
    part of the problem.
    
    Like Karen suggested, some cats don't like to share their litterboxes
    with anyone, and others need a separate box for each "business".
    
    I would rule out the possibility of a urinary tract infection first,
    then maybe start Ben on some "intensive litter box training".
    
    Jo

    
    
    To the vet!!
    
    A few months ago, mine mumma kitty (neutered, approx. five yrs)
    starting peeing (only) around the house..  to the vets first thing
    she went..  they saw no signs of an infection, but suggested she
    probably had a minor one.  They gave her a shot, and gave me some
    liquid antiobiotics.  Since then, she hasn't peed once outside of
    her litterbox..
    
    If he isn't neutered, he could also be spraying..
    
    Also, most kitties will refuse to go into their litterbox, if it
    isn't immaculate.  I'm not suggesting you don't keep it clean, but
    he could have all of the sudden decided to get picky and wants the
    box perfect!!
    
    F.

    Well, Ben was neutered almost 7 years ago.  I presently have 2 litter
    boxes.  They seem to pee in one and poop in the other.  I don't keep
    the boxes immaculate, but I try my best to keep them clean.  The other
    guys don't seem to mind.
    
    I can't make it to my own vet this week, but will use a local vet I
    tried recently with Barney.  The vet drove me up the wall by talking
    too much, but he seemed knowledgable and Barney's problem cleared up
    within a week.
    
    Do babies cost as much as my cats cost me?  :}
    
    Mary
    

    REPLY TO .4
    
    
    
    
    
    
    				NOPE !!!!!!!!!!!!!
    
    
    Good luck with Benjamin and also with the new baby when it arrives.
    
    
    
    
    Sandi mom to THUNDER, LIGHTNING, STORM & DEJAVU too.
    
    
    
    

    Thanks Sandi.  I think at this point, I need the luck.  I brought
    Benjamin to the vet yesterday and his urine and poop checked out 100%
    normal.  The vet said whatever is bothering him is in his head, like
    he's jealous of something and is getting back at me.  Anyway, for a 2
    week period, Ben is now on Valium - 1/2 tablet 2x a day for a week, and
    then hopefully we'll start tapering him off.  She thinks that by being
    on Valium, nothing will bother him, he'll forget about it, and get back
    to normal.  I'm not thrilled about this course of action, but the other
    suggestions weren't any better.  One was to lock him in a room all day
    with his own litter box.  Other than a bedroom, the only place I can
    confine him is the basement which is large and knowing Ben, wouldn't
    work.  Another suggestion was another drug I think called Ovobam which
    the vet really dislikes and did not recommend.  Or, I could put him
    outside all day, but he's not used to this and with winter coming isn't
    a great choice.  Hopefully, the valium will help Ben forget all about
    his troubles and he'll be blissfully happy for 2 weeks.
    
    Mary
    

    And he will eat like a pig! :^)
    
    Jo

    Jo - THANKS!  Ben has been acting like he's never eaten before.  He
    was almost viscous at dinner last night - I cooked roast beef and he
    kept begging, jumping on me, and practically tearing the food off of
    my plate.  He was such a pain in the butt!  
    
    Mary