My vet is recommending behavioral therapy for my cat's litterbox problem.
He pees in it 4 out of 5 times. The 5th time is in a corner somewhere. He never poops in the box, but always right next to it.
We did all the conventional stuff: extra litter boxes, proper privacy and variety of locations, twice-daily cleanings, vigilant carpet spot cleaning... nothing.
We also did paxil, but it ruined his personality. He's the perfect little lovebug -- the sterotypical orange tabby -- but on paxil he wanted nothing to do with us, and actually got a little nippy. Thank heavens that effect went away when we stopped the meds. We're going to try buspar next.
He also has some anxiety. Wanders around crying, can't be comforted. Oh yeah, and he's really dumb. I know, it's not nice to say, but it's the truth. I've had a lot of cats, and I've never met as dim a cat as this one. He gets lost in the house and cries til we call out and he can follow our voices and find us. He's never learned his name, doesn't understand the concept of "fetch", and when he catches and bites his own tail, seems baffled by it. Cause-and-effect is a mystery to him in all regards. Sweet, but stupid.
Apologies for the rambling background, and back to the original question:
What exactly is involved in behavioral therapy? What are the success rates, especially given that my sweet boy has the IQ of cabbage? Is it an ongoing process, or is there the possibility of that a few sessions will show results?
Thanks so much for any thoughts!
He pees in it 4 out of 5 times. The 5th time is in a corner somewhere. He never poops in the box, but always right next to it.
We did all the conventional stuff: extra litter boxes, proper privacy and variety of locations, twice-daily cleanings, vigilant carpet spot cleaning... nothing.
We also did paxil, but it ruined his personality. He's the perfect little lovebug -- the sterotypical orange tabby -- but on paxil he wanted nothing to do with us, and actually got a little nippy. Thank heavens that effect went away when we stopped the meds. We're going to try buspar next.
He also has some anxiety. Wanders around crying, can't be comforted. Oh yeah, and he's really dumb. I know, it's not nice to say, but it's the truth. I've had a lot of cats, and I've never met as dim a cat as this one. He gets lost in the house and cries til we call out and he can follow our voices and find us. He's never learned his name, doesn't understand the concept of "fetch", and when he catches and bites his own tail, seems baffled by it. Cause-and-effect is a mystery to him in all regards. Sweet, but stupid.
Apologies for the rambling background, and back to the original question:
What exactly is involved in behavioral therapy? What are the success rates, especially given that my sweet boy has the IQ of cabbage? Is it an ongoing process, or is there the possibility of that a few sessions will show results?
Thanks so much for any thoughts!