Hi everyone!
Just yesterday I made a post talking about my perfect cat and how I was thinking about getting another one.. well of course my "perfect cat" developed a behavioral issue this morning.
Up until now, Okemo has been using the litterbox like a pro! Even 30 mins after I brought him home from the airport (he was shipped to me from the breeder) he used the litterbox, I was so impressed because so many kittens have issues or wait a really long time to use the litterbox in an unfamiliar situation. Even when we travel, he hops right into the litterbox, wherever we may be, and uses it like a champ! When I introduced him to the two dogs at my parents' house, I did experience some territorial peeing (in the dog's food bowl- ??? and on the opposite side of the glass french doors separating them.
However I know this isn't territorial. He is the only cat in our apartment and we are literally the first ones to ever live here!
What happened was, this morning, I was getting ready for class when I spied him in a strange position on our shower mat. You know the one- tail raised, but still kinda looks like he's sitting. This also confused me because it wasn't "spraying" behavior (He's not neutered yet, I'm waiting until 5-6 months). Sure enough when he stood up there was a wet spot. I was livid! I picked him up by the scruff of his neck (he's still young enough this doesn't hurt him) and yelled "bad kitty!" a ton of times, spanked him and basically threw him into the litterbox. He's been on "lockdown" all morning because if he pees on my roommates' stuff I am in DEEP trouble.
I have no idea why this is happening! I'm scheduling an appointment to screen for a UTI so i'll update on that later. Please help me-- I have roommates who wont be so understanding if he starts peeing on things (I share a bathroom with one of them but she is so laid back she didn't care too much about the mat as long as I washed it) they will NOT be happy with me or Okemo. Any advice is welcome, I just don't understand what is wrong with my "perfect" cat!!
Just yesterday I made a post talking about my perfect cat and how I was thinking about getting another one.. well of course my "perfect cat" developed a behavioral issue this morning.
Up until now, Okemo has been using the litterbox like a pro! Even 30 mins after I brought him home from the airport (he was shipped to me from the breeder) he used the litterbox, I was so impressed because so many kittens have issues or wait a really long time to use the litterbox in an unfamiliar situation. Even when we travel, he hops right into the litterbox, wherever we may be, and uses it like a champ! When I introduced him to the two dogs at my parents' house, I did experience some territorial peeing (in the dog's food bowl- ??? and on the opposite side of the glass french doors separating them.
However I know this isn't territorial. He is the only cat in our apartment and we are literally the first ones to ever live here!
What happened was, this morning, I was getting ready for class when I spied him in a strange position on our shower mat. You know the one- tail raised, but still kinda looks like he's sitting. This also confused me because it wasn't "spraying" behavior (He's not neutered yet, I'm waiting until 5-6 months). Sure enough when he stood up there was a wet spot. I was livid! I picked him up by the scruff of his neck (he's still young enough this doesn't hurt him) and yelled "bad kitty!" a ton of times, spanked him and basically threw him into the litterbox. He's been on "lockdown" all morning because if he pees on my roommates' stuff I am in DEEP trouble.
I have no idea why this is happening! I'm scheduling an appointment to screen for a UTI so i'll update on that later. Please help me-- I have roommates who wont be so understanding if he starts peeing on things (I share a bathroom with one of them but she is so laid back she didn't care too much about the mat as long as I washed it) they will NOT be happy with me or Okemo. Any advice is welcome, I just don't understand what is wrong with my "perfect" cat!!