Crate training a cat?

• 09-05-2009 4:55 PM

  BlackLabbie Joined on 01-27-2008 South of Boston Posts 3,380 Points 280

  Crate training a cat? Reply Contact Nemo (our neutered male cat, 5 years old, healthy) is spraying (again!)- YUCK! I cannot stand the smell. I threw out 2 blankets, a pillow, and the bathroom mat- he peed on all of it- and I can still smell cat pee . Today I put him in Apollo's crate (big enough for a great dane) with a bed, scratching post, toys, food, water, and his own litter box. I guess now his only option will be to use the litter box. Think this will help? Or is it pointless? -Stephanie Apollo- black Labrador Retriever Molson- buff American Cocker Spaniel Patty- black American Cocker Spaniel "Q: If you could choose what to come back as, what would it be? A: A dog, so my wife would love me more." -Oscar De La Renta

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• 09-05-2009 5:35 PM

  In reply to BlackLabbie

  stardog85 Joined on 09-10-2007 South Carolina, USA Posts 2,624 Points 235

  Re: Crate training a cat? Reply Contact  It may help, but probably only temporarily.  The best thing you can do is determine a reason behind the spraying and address it.  Feliway/ComfortZone for Cats has a lot of success on spraying due to stress ime. Erin, the Amazing Maggie Mae, Ziva the Wonder Dog, and Kestrel the Up and Coming "Always keep one still, secret spot where dreams may go." - Louise Priscoll

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• 09-05-2009 8:47 PM

  In reply to stardog85

  BlackLabbie Joined on 01-27-2008 South of Boston Posts 3,380 Points 280

  Re: Crate training a cat? Reply Contact stardog85:  It may help, but probably only temporarily. I just don't know...I have no idea. We've had him since he was 8 weeks old and he's been doing this since he was about 10 months- when he was an only cat- on and off, randomly. We first thought UTI or crystals but after many visits to the vet we've come to the conclusion it's behavioral. We have 2 other cats, both female; 1 is a senior 1 is 3 years old, neither do this. We also have 4 large litter boxes that are all cleaned daily, multiple times a day. -Stephanie Apollo- black Labrador Retriever Molson- buff American Cocker Spaniel Patty- black American Cocker Spaniel "Q: If you could choose what to come back as, what would it be? A: A dog, so my wife would love me more." -Oscar De La Renta

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• 09-05-2009 9:57 PM

  In reply to BlackLabbie

  stardog85 Joined on 09-10-2007 South Carolina, USA Posts 2,624 Points 235

  Re: Crate training a cat? Reply Contact Some questions that might help to consider: Any stray cats coming around? Are the litter boxes open or covered? Are the boxes spread out throughout the house or only in one location? Have you tried any different litters?  Any new cleansers? Erin, the Amazing Maggie Mae, Ziva the Wonder Dog, and Kestrel the Up and Coming "Always keep one still, secret spot where dreams may go." - Louise Priscoll

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• 09-05-2009 10:02 PM

  In reply to stardog85

  willowchow Joined on 09-10-2007 Posts 8,723 Points 500	Re: Crate training a cat? Reply Contact I don't know if it will help to crate him or not but I'll be reading to see what everyone says.  If Tempo starts that I'm going to flip!
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• 09-05-2009 10:39 PM

  In reply to stardog85

  BlackLabbie Joined on 01-27-2008 South of Boston Posts 3,380 Points 280

  Re: Crate training a cat? Reply Contact Would it make a difference if he was taken away from his mom early?? I'm pretty sure he was...the entire litter was dropped off at the shelter at around 5 weeks old, and were available for adoption at 8 weeks (when we got him).   stardog85: Any stray cats coming around? Nope, no cats. He's an indoor only cat and we've had the windows shut all summer (a/c is on). stardog85: Are the litter boxes open or covered? Are the boxes spread out throughout the house or only in one location? 2 are covered, 2 aren't. They all used to be downstairs, but now they're scattered on all levels, all in private areas. stardog85: Have you tried any different litters?  Any new cleansers? We've tried all types of litter from Purina's to Arm & Hammer to Yesterday's News. No new cleaners, just Nature's Miracle (we always use it). -Stephanie Apollo- black Labrador Retriever Molson- buff American Cocker Spaniel Patty- black American Cocker Spaniel "Q: If you could choose what to come back as, what would it be? A: A dog, so my wife would love me more." -Oscar De La Renta

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• 09-06-2009 12:35 AM

  In reply to BlackLabbie

  erica1989 Joined on 02-21-2007 Clearwater, Florida Posts 4,727 Points 505

  Re: Crate training a cat? Reply Contact Age taken doesn't really come into play - I bottle raised one of my males - with no issues. Crating him can't hurt. It may 'reinforce' that the potty is there for him to use. Our cats are crated at work - and no one has issues with that. I'd keep him confined for a while, and slowly let him have supervised play time out of the crate. Think 'house training' for a pup, only for a cat. Even though your windows may be closed - there could still be a stray Tom running around outside - you may want to take a look around. Even if YOU don't know he's there - your cat sure will!

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• 09-06-2009 9:11 PM

  In reply to BlackLabbie

  AllAboutTheAPBT Joined on 06-23-2006 New Jersey Posts 59 Points 0

  Re: Crate training a cat? Reply Contact Ha, I'm glad to see I'm not the only one that crates their cat! I have one of those large ferret cages that my cat stays in overnight. It's not for the spraying but this way I don't get woken up by the dog and cat circus in the middle of the night. He loves it; a private litterbox the dogs can't get into and he sleeps in a big ferret hammock. He'll even go in there by himself for peace and quiet. My parents have 3 cats, 2 of which pee everywhere in the house. They now live on the screened in porch but they go outside during the day and they rarely pee inside anymore. It's probably behavioral. I think my mom's cats just didn't get along with the other one. If your cat is peeing overnight, this might be a solution

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• 09-06-2009 9:31 PM

  In reply to AllAboutTheAPBT

  BlackLabbie Joined on 01-27-2008 South of Boston Posts 3,380 Points 280

  Re: Crate training a cat? Reply Contact AllAboutTheAPBT: If your cat is peeing overnight, this might be a solution I think he's peeing overnight and when we're not home so those are the times when he's being crated. I just don't know what to do anymore about it...it's been going on 5 years now! The spraying is on and off- like 2-3 times per year he goes on a spraying spree...I just wish it would stay off! -Stephanie Apollo- black Labrador Retriever Molson- buff American Cocker Spaniel Patty- black American Cocker Spaniel "Q: If you could choose what to come back as, what would it be? A: A dog, so my wife would love me more." -Oscar De La Renta

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• 09-09-2009 8:51 AM

  In reply to BlackLabbie

  Mookies Mom Joined on 06-01-2006 Western Michigan Posts 216 Points 0

  Re: Crate training a cat? Reply Contact I feel bad for you- cat spray is the worst. We had a similar situation. Frustrating. After 13 years cat started spraying all over our house. Long story short: Medical tests confirmed it was behavioural. We tried a couple of different anti-anxiety med with prozac finally being the one that is working and we haven't had any spraying for 3 weeks now. I was really resistant at first to drugging him, but for us it was the best alternative as feliway/addition of litter boxes, etc. didn't deter him in the least. Maybe check with your vet about doing a short course of anti-anxiety meds to break the cycle of spraying.

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• 09-09-2009 8:57 AM

  In reply to BlackLabbie

  tashakota Joined on 09-10-2007 Posts 3,086 Points 45

  Re: Crate training a cat? Reply Contact  Just an aside, but a friend of my BF's has two cats and a very large ferret cage for them.  It has two levels with a hammock and other stuff.  Whenever they need some peace or they are gone or overnight, they put the cats in the cage.  I think it's a great idea and a great way to keep pets safe because you just never know what will happen.  My sister's cat managed to push out one of their screens on a window and found herself outside.  Luckily they were still home at the time and caught her before anything bad could happen.  Given a big enough enclosure, crate training a cat is a good idea.  :D Leslie and the kids..

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• 09-29-2009 2:45 PM

  In reply to tashakota

  marynh Joined on 09-10-2007 Gateway to NH White Mtns. Posts 1,493 Points 50	Re: Crate training a cat? Reply Contact  is he spraying or peeing inappropriately? There is a difference so putting him in a crate with a litterbox isn't going to change the spraying behavior.
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• 09-29-2009 3:00 PM

  In reply to marynh

  BlackLabbie Joined on 01-27-2008 South of Boston Posts 3,380 Points 280

  Re: Crate training a cat? Reply Contact marynh:  is he spraying or peeing inappropriately? There is a difference so putting him in a crate with a litterbox isn't going to change the spraying behavior. It's pee, I believe. If someone drops a blanket on the floor, he'll pee on it- only if nobody's home. We've been crating him w/ a litter box when nobody's home and at night when we're sleeping and he's been using the box 100%, no accidents so far. -Stephanie Apollo- black Labrador Retriever Molson- buff American Cocker Spaniel Patty- black American Cocker Spaniel "Q: If you could choose what to come back as, what would it be? A: A dog, so my wife would love me more." -Oscar De La Renta

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• 09-30-2009 8:17 AM

  In reply to BlackLabbie

  marynh Joined on 09-10-2007 Gateway to NH White Mtns. Posts 1,493 Points 50

  Re: Crate training a cat? Reply Contact  there is a litter called Cat Attract that is supposed to work really well. I also have one that tends to pee inappropriately but she's a newcomer and it's one reason why she was returned to Siamese Rescue - the first time. She's 98% litterbox user and then about once a week she'll pee on my stove when I'm not home. I'm blaming her cause it's a new thing and although I fostered her during both of her returns we did recently adopt her.  But she also HATES absolutely undeniably HATES my male tabby. So when I'm home it's quite possible that he teases her when she heads for a litterbox. Zeus (male tabby) is known to do that. When I'm home I can run interference but if I'm not there I can't. I don't blame Catnip cause I know the behaviors of Zeus so I'm pretty sure that he'll simply follow her to a litterbox and keep her from using it so she goes high and then does her business.  I did start putting aluminum foil over my stove when I'm not around and that has helped keep her off it but now I fear she'll pee on the counter instead. Cats - mystifying creatures

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