How about stopping cats poo inside the house....

[Char]

my cat has reacted to the arrival (a year ago now) of our daughter by shitting in dark corners of the house. Bought one of those stupid things from the vets which is supposed to calm them down and stop pooing - to no avail. HELP?? Cat poo is not good with a crawling baby.

[Peckhamgatecrasher]

Not sure how to stop the problem, but make sure you don't clean the area with normal bleach or antiseptic: it only encourages them. You need to get a special pet one (supermarkets or vets).

You could try reintroducing a litter box in one of the problem areas and gradually move it towards the back door. You can get enclosed ones which should stop a toddler poking around.

[bon3yard]

Some ether and a needle and thread?

[sleepless]

My cat has been put on anti depressants which seem to work well - clomi calm they are called and they are described as prozac for cats. They are well expensive from the vets but you can order them online I think which is what I am going to do because he has to be on the for at least six months. I also had a cat behaviourist in as mine pees on the kitchen bench. Turns out its not just the baby but other cats/foxes out in its territory which means he's not so keen on going out.

You can clean the soiled areas with a solution of biological washing liquid (normal laundry detergent) and water (one part to ten) - smells better and less expensive than those specialist spray cleaners from the vet. Have also found it more effective in discouraging repeat performances. Once you have cleaned the area and it is dry wipe over with some surgical spirit (if the surface can tolerate it) - this just kills the active agents from the washing liquid so that this doesn't disturb the cat.

I presume you have a litter tray indoors as well as this will help - not ideal with a baby but if you can use one of those dark corners her already uses then that might help. Also I heard someone say that you should feed them their food on the spot where they have soiled for a while as they will never soil their food spot apparently. A friend of a friends cat was cured like this. This might work well if you do it whilst the cat is being given the anti depressant pills.

It's all been a bit of a nightmare and am continually asking myself why I don't just get rid of him but can't quite bring myself to that either yet.

[ratty]

One of my cats lost so much weight when the baby was born, but is alright now! I did not know this was a common problem! No help to you of course but I wish you well!

[susyp]

how funny i was just looking around on the internet for answers to similar cat hell problems. I've just moved my cat into my hubby's flat ( we'd kept her at my flat for as long as poss as his is upstairs, and recently decorated so looks like a show home!). She's been here 2 days and although she hasn;t pooed or weed (i am paranoid about this on his lovely floors) she has now scratched a very expensive bit of furniture and he has stormed off to work. He also thinks it will be a nightmare with a baby arriving in a month - cat hair causing baby allergies and general overcrowding. I may have to re home her if I am not to destroy my marriage but its a very upsetting idea. How have people found having cats and babies together - is the cat hair a problem?

[Ko]

Go to www.catchat.org. The top tabs have advice sections plus there is an excellent forum where some very experienced cat owners give excellent advice.

Re allergies - have sent you PM.

[jumpinjackflash]

bon3yard Wrote:

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> Some ether and a needle and thread?

Sorry I just read this and it made me crack up laughing!

:))

[spadetownboy]

is someone having a laugh, anti-depressants, cat behaviourist.

what happened to a good old fashioned kick up the hole.

[Char]

Thanks for all the suggestions - really helpful.

[lilolil]

Feliway is a good product.It is hormonal and you can buy it from your vets. It calms your cat down!!!!!

Also, do you use a litter tray? If you do, it might be wise to place it somewhere quiet....you know what it's like when theres no lock on the door....!!!! LOL Cats like privacy too.

[spadetownboy]

bring it to mabels garden, thats where all the rest of the cats appear to hang out.

[fractionater]

TIP: leave little bowls of dried food in the places where it dumps\lashes. (obviously after you have cleaned up!)

my mum's bengal started exhibiting this behaviour and the local vet recommended this (drug free too) - soon stopped.

[cate]

I read that cats don't like citrus smells, so you could put down some lemon and orange peel as well.

[AJM]

susyp Wrote:

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> how funny i was just looking around on the

> internet for answers to similar cat hell problems.

> I've just moved my cat into my hubby's flat (

> we'd kept her at my flat for as long as poss as

> his is upstairs, and recently decorated so looks

> like a show home!). She's been here 2 days and

> although she hasn;t pooed or weed (i am paranoid

> about this on his lovely floors) she has now

> scratched a very expensive bit of furniture and he

> has stormed off to work. He also thinks it will

> be a nightmare with a baby arriving in a month -

> cat hair causing baby allergies and general

> overcrowding. I may have to re home her if I am

> not to destroy my marriage but its a very

> upsetting idea. How have people found having

> cats and babies together - is the cat hair a

> problem?

Babies aren't necessarily allergic to cats! In fact - early exposure to animals, like with germs, builds resistance. As a cat-owner/lover I'd certainly not consider re-homing unless the baby showed complete intolerance of the cat. Cats Protection and the like receive so many cats just because the owner has had a baby - but for no decent reason e.g. proven allergy. It's sad as when we adopt a cat, it should be for life. Hope you manage to work out the overcrowding though! :)