My cat has always been an indoor cat, but has recently taken to the habit of "relieving" itself on random objects around the house. It still uses its litterbox liberally and seems to focus on objects that smell like a person who dislikes the cat.
Anyways, we'll be taking the cat out to a family friend's farm, soon, because we're getting new carpet, and having an argument break out if he ruins it would not be good. He's never been a fan of the outdoors, and on the few times he's ever snuck outside, has vigorously attempted to get back in.
Any tips for helping the cat adjust to outdoors, so that it won't feel so cold-turkey when we take him? Or ideas to stop him from marking objects that smell like his "foe"?
Cat is neutered, btw.
Answers:
What you need to do is take a quick trip to the vet to make sure that there is not a medical issue going on. If everything is good than this is a behavioral issue that can be corrected. Cats can get stressed quite easily. They are not big fans of change. Has there been any new changes to your house that your kitty may not be used to? Your cat has been used to living indoors and you yourself said that on the few times that he has gotten out that he tries to get back in right away. Do you have any idea how traumatized your cat is going to be should you just dump him outside? You are exposing him to alot of potential dangers because you are getting new carpet. When he does mark in the house, what are you cleaning it with? You do know that if you do not use a good Enzyme cleaner that he is still going to be able to smell the area where he marked, right? Please do not leave him outside. The vet will also be able to give you suggestions to curb the marking issue.
you are HORRIABLE! poor thing probably has a urinary tract infection. If you feel you still don't want the cat, take him to a no kill shelter so a loving family can adopt him.
he is not going to survive outside very long probably less than 6 months if you do what you plan to do.
First you should check if the cat has any reason to be under stress or whether it's ill. Has anything changed in his surroundings at all? Have you changed anything about the litterbox? (E.g. litter, door, detergents you use to clean it with)
When cats stop using the litterbox, that's usually a sign of stress or discomfort.
Please have him checked out by a vet.
The feliway spray is a good tip, that might help if the other suggestions don't.
As for the going outside; I wouldn't want to get a cat (that doesn't even want to go outside) used to such a dangerous environment at all; it's not just traffic that could harm him, but also contagious diseases, other animals, cat-haters etc. On top of that, cats will take some time to adjust to a place and adopt it as their new home, chances are if you let him out on the farm that he'll walk straight back home- even if this is miles away. When moving a cat it should stay indoors at least three weeks for it to feel at home and not trying to return to it's "own territory".
You are better off taking the cat to a no-kill shleter. It will not have a happy life outdoors.
With any litter box problem or behaviorial change, the vet is the first place you should go as there may be an infection. The litter box may be associated with pain. Cats are not vengeful...that is a human emotion. You should also clean up all urine spots with a good enzyme cleaner like Simple Solution or Nature's Miracle that is specially formulated for cats, not dogs. You can use a hand held black light to find the urine.
Take the cat to the vet to see what is up. If you still feel the need to get rid of the cat, please find another safe indoor home. Indoor cats just do not have the skills to live outdoors and your cat will have a hard life due to other animals outdoors.
have you taken the cat to the vet to see if there's a medical reason for the improper elimination issues? as for sticking a strictly indoor cat outside because you're getting new carpet is cruel. it would be far more humane to have him put to sleep. i know it's harsh, but you are basically killing him anyway. but in a longer possibly drawn out fashion. find a rescue that will take the cat. they can get him the veterinary help he probably needs and can use simple ways to help get him back to using the litterbox since you seem uninterested in that. enjoy your carpet i hope it brings you years of love and enjoyment. hope you never have kids that write on the wall and you're planning on painting.
So you are throwing away your cat because of your damm carpet. It shows exactly what is wrong with people. They make a lifelong commitment to an animal that totally depends on them and at the first time of illness or a behavioral problem they don't care and get rid of the problem even though a life is involved. Damm the cat's fear of going outside, Damm loyalty, The carpet is much more important then trying to research and find a way to fix the problem. Please don't get anymore animals
Your cat probably has a urinary tract infection or crystals and he could die from it. Instead of getting rid of him, take him to the vet.
Cats that have lived indoors cannot and will not adjust to living outside. Take the cat to the vet and find out if it might have an infection. If you are determined to let it out take it to a shelter, because it will surely not survive outside. Would you like to be homeless? Neither would your cat. By the way I hate people like you...that's why I love my animals so much..they give unconditional love. I love living things. What I can't understand is why you would think that anyone who loves animals would let you off the hook and say its ok to love carpet instead of the cat that has been a member of your family. Sorry if you let it out ..live with the guilt..
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