Minuet is a very sensitive lady. Following her abscess and a trip to the veterinary hospital, she started wetting outside the litter-boxes again. I’m pretty sure that this was caused by the upset in her routine, and especially by the doctor’s appointment. Once again, I have bought Cat-attract litter, the heavy clay litter that does just what its name states.
At first, I thought it was failing me. The first day that I put it in the library’s boxes, Min continued to wet outside. She had selected as her spot the entrance-way to the library, where the jamb and the door itself create odd angles, corners and obstructions. The plastic that I put down on the floor of the library therefore covered the carpeting there incompletely. This was, naturally, where Minuet chose to wet. The results were as one might expect… I replaced the plastic there with soaker-pads, and she wet on four of them the very evening I put Cat-attract in the litter-boxes.
However, later that night, Min used a litter-box. Then she used it again. That was going on two days ago, and so far, she has continued to go where she should. I watched her one time: she walked to the threshold of the library, stopped on the soaker-pads, turned, hesitated for a couple of seconds, and then climbed into the litter-box. (Soaker-pads are a mixed blessing, since they retain the smell of cat-urine, to some degree, even after repeated washings. They were probably calling her as was the litter-box, though, fortunately, to a lesser extent.)
Madame is a creature of habit, perhaps more so than most cats. She is also sensitive to a high degree. If driven by disorder to disrupt her routine, if a disturbing unpleasantry, such as a hospital visit, throws off her balance, it takes work to bring her back to where she should be. But she wants to be there, and that helps. As problems go, this is not a major one for me; I worry more about Min. Yet, considering how well she has adapted to the greatest challenge of her life - coming to the Cosy Apartment in January - I think she is strong enough to overcome this latest difficulty.
Oh, Madame, we hope that you return to your steadfast litterbox habits.
ReplyDeleteAlthough, as I read John's account of your wetting somewhere else, I thought of aged folks who hate change, and just want everything to be the same way they'd always been.
The Hubby is getting crotchety and grumbles when he must adapt to something new.
I kid him that soon, he'll be yelling out the door, "Hey kids, get off my lawn!"
Hahahahaha...
It is a good thing you knew or found out about the cat attract litter for Minuet. I'll remember that whenever Precious has senior moments. I certainly could have tried that the last 10 to 12 months of Seney's 20 year life. I actually ran around behind her with newspaper if I caught her in the act. And she had 4 litter boxes of her own. Old age changes every thing. I hope Minuet does not have to go back to the hospital for a very long time and she relaxes.
ReplyDeleteGetting that abscess must have been a painful experience for the poor girl. You said the other day that there was a large scab. Is that still there? I wonder if that could have been troubling her.
ReplyDeleteYour insights are very interesting in Madame's habits. Her wetting outside the box are most definitely related to having her normal routine interrupted. I am so glad you have such a good understanding of her to be able to help her overcome and get back on track.
ReplyDeleteStress can sure do it, Brian just had a stress flare which is unusual for him.
ReplyDeleteI hope he's all right now. The abnormal episodes are very worrying, I know.
DeleteWith all of the changes Minuet has been through recently, it's not surprising that she started having litter box issues again. But now that she is back to her routine she feels more comfortable and things will return to normal.
ReplyDeleteGlad she is using the box again. :)
ReplyDeleteShe's lovely..Bless her..!x
ReplyDeleteMin is very determined and remarkable for her age. She seems to cope well with events even though some may cause a blip in her routine.
ReplyDeleteSure hope that soon no soaker pads will be needed. Minuet is smart to know that those real litter boxes is where she must go, thank you very much! I'm glad she relaxed and de-stressed enough to get back to her normal doings. She's a real lady!
ReplyDeleteI'm happy to hear she's resumed using the litter boxes. Cat urine is not the most pleasant odor in the world. :p
ReplyDeleteCat Attract for her is likely a must. It would be worth the extra money I would guess as it draws her to where she needs to be.
ReplyDelete