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#1
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How to stop a cat from peeing when scared?
Forest's peeing when scared has escalated to the point I can't even walk near him without him peeing.
He used to pee when we scruffed him, we stopped that b/c of the health issue associated with it and b/c it would trigger him to pee. Last night, I heard a noise when I was reading in bed. I went out to check what was going on and saw Forest running away from where Gizzy was. They prolly were playing and knocked something over. I wasn't yelling, just checking around, and I walked a little closer to Forest and he runs away leaving a puddle of pee on the floor! (he had also went to the bathroom 10 mins before the noise happened so why wasn't he empty?) As I am getting the paper towels to sop up the pee he runs around the freezer to go under the couch in the drawer that pulls out in the middle, I step in his other puddle of pee that he left trailing. In BARE feet no less ! This is when I really yelled, causing my bf to wake up and come out to see what the problem is. What do I do?? I can't even walk near him after he knows he has caused noises that he knows I will investigate?! I wear slippers if I'm not wearing socks, but I thought this would be a quick trip to the living room and didn't put on my slippers. Any advice would be great on how to break this habit! |
#2
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You're probably not going to like what I have to say.
The type of peeing you describe is fear based and an extreme reaction to being under stress. He is obviously afraid of you now because of the "scruffing" (do you mean being grabbed at his neck?). It's obvious Gizzy is a very sensitive cat, and you'll have to make efforts to regain his trust again. If he looks like he's trying to avoid you, sit on the floor and try to coax him to come to you---use treats if you have to. If he does come, do give him lots of loving, and play with him. Give him lots of attention. Your yelling upset him as he knows you're mad and displeased with him. If he pees out of fright, just clean it up, don't yell at him or sound angry. In fact, you should do the opposite, with a sympathetic tone of voice say, "Ah Gizzy, did I scare you? I'm sorry!" You and hubby will have to be consistent with this, and don't yell at or be angry with him. This is a very stressed cat! |
#3
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I appreciate all advice, I just want a happy household!
It's not Gizzy, it's Forest who pees when scared. Grabbed by the neck is what I meant but we haven't done that since February. Forest isn't avoiding me or anything, I've just chosen to stay away from for awhile for fear that he will pee just cuz I walk by him now. I know cats are knocturnal and more active while we're sleeping at night, but b/c I'm not working I have a different sleeping schedule then everyone else. So today I went to bed at 6am to read and make me sleepy, and that's prolly when they woke up to play and run. They know that I always come out when I hear noises. So I guess it's too much to expect for Forest not to pee and be surprised when I do come out? And I'm guessing there's no cure to make him not pee when he's scared? Last edited by dollface; November 13th, 2009 at 12:45 AM. |
#4
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I agree with catlover2, you need to work on calming and trust, maybe dont go investigate the noises right away, just ignore that anything happened.
Most importand i would go to the vet asap to see if there is a reason he cannot hold his urine when he is scared, it is very likely there is, try and investigate this as much as you can. It is possible to fix this, you will have to modify behavior, stay calm, and most important get him checked. Do you feed dry food? Dry food can cause all kinds of urinary troubles in males. Good luck!
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I prefer my people to wear fur.. Gonzaga's Lady Perdita "Lady" CKC Yellow Lab Adoptee Gucci super fuzzbutt Adoptee Prada crazy dog extrodinaire Tickles Tortie cat the owns my daughter |
#5
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I agree with catlover. Please don't ever use force on your your kitty unless it is life or death for the cat.
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Cat maid to: Rose semi feral, a cpietra rescue, female tabby (approx 13 yrs) Jasper RIP (2001-2018) Sweet Pea RIP (2004?-2014) Puddles RIP (1996-2014) Snowball RIP (1991-2005) In a cat's eye, all things belong to cats.-English Proverb “While we are free to choose our actions, we are not free to choose the consequences of our actions.” Stephen R. Covey |
#6
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I know medicating isn't always the answer, but if you can't help Forest with positive reinforcement, perhaps some medication for anxiety will help him.
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There are only two rules at my house: House rule #1. Cats rule. House rule #2. See rule #1. http://nuriaandthegang.shutterfly.com/ |
#7
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I really hope this is something that can be fixed cuz it's looking hopeless. Usually after he has a peeing episode the next day he is looking for lap forgiveness, so it doesn't seem like it's lack of trust, but then again who knows.
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We are on a canned diet, albeit cheap at the moment due to low funds. Since February we have transitioned from dry Iams to high quality canned to NV raw and now to Fancy Feast wheat gluten free canned. Quote:
I appreciate everyone's advice and really hope this issue can be fixed! Will update when there is one! |
#8
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Cats react to the moment, not necessarily what happened the day before. So it would be your actions at the time that he pees that scares him, not the times that you are sitting quietly on a chair. At those moments he may not feel threatened or scared.
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Cat maid to: Rose semi feral, a cpietra rescue, female tabby (approx 13 yrs) Jasper RIP (2001-2018) Sweet Pea RIP (2004?-2014) Puddles RIP (1996-2014) Snowball RIP (1991-2005) In a cat's eye, all things belong to cats.-English Proverb “While we are free to choose our actions, we are not free to choose the consequences of our actions.” Stephen R. Covey |
#9
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Some cats lose sphincter control as they age, and while this usually means they randomly dribble urine, or else don't realize they have to pee until it's too late and they can't make it to the litter box, I'll bet stress-induced urinary incontinence also occurs. Kind of like old people that urinate when they cough or sneeze or laugh. Not sure how that would be fixed beyond just making sure Forest is as stress-free as possible. I'd be cautious about trying meds because cats are super-sensitive to them and other health problems may result.
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"To close your eyes will not ease another's pain." ~ Chinese Proverb “We must not refuse to see with our eyes what they must endure with their bodies.” ~ Gretchen Wyler |
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