Worst Animal Lover

posted January 6th, 2015 at 4:51 PM

A few years ago, I adopted an adult cat from the SPCA to be a friend for my kitty. She was several years old, sweet as can be. She befriended my other cat right away. Unfortunately, she also had a devilish streak. She clawed furniture (I bought nail caps to deal with that), was awake at all hours of the night (I locked her out of my bedroom). But the worst, WORST, was that she peed whenever she was mad at me. Which happened about once a month. The day she peed on my bed, I did the worst thing, and returned her to the SPCA. I never wanted to be that person who gives an animal up, but I felt at the end of my rope. What can be done training/discipline wise once an animal decides to pee on your stuff? I feel incredibly guilty 3 years after the fact and still wonder if I could have done something.

7 Comments

you could have

Jan 6, 2015 at 5:43pm

peed on the cat

Don't have kids

Jan 6, 2015 at 6:25pm

Not trying to be mean but dealing with the bad as well as the good is part of commitment. Next time you're in this kind of pickle, ask for help from someone who has some experience & can guide you to come up with some solutions. In this case I would have talked to a vet or an online forum on cat behaviour.
Let the guilt go & resolve to learn from this life lesson.

Don't beat yourself up

Jan 6, 2015 at 8:13pm

She wasn't "mad" at you, or "devilish," those are human motives you're imagining onto her. Animals aren't people. Maybe she was the type of cat that needs a lot of stimulation and to be kept awake during the day. Cats are tough to fix, guilt and regret are useless, and you obviously didn't make the decision lightly at the time. I agree with "Don't," learn and let it go.

Turtle

Jan 7, 2015 at 8:40am

don't beat yourself up, looks like she needed more attention at night and would be better suited with someone who is a night owl. once the cat starts peeing, it won't stop (at least with the same owner). it can also be a sign that she is physically unwell.

At Wit's End

Jan 7, 2015 at 11:01am

I also have this problem. Drives me insane. Don't have the heart to get rid of her. I don't know anyone that would take her either. I've taken her to the vet - spent $100 on new food and medication that didn't help one bit. She and her 'sister' have access to the outdoors 24/7, so it's not like she's cooped in with no way to get out. And, yes I know it's her and not her 'sister' as I've caught her a few times. Does anyone have any suggestions?

maybe you should

Jan 7, 2015 at 1:12pm

pee on the cat

@At Wit's End

Jan 7, 2015 at 8:23pm

I would take away in and out privileges. She can become an outdoor cat. Buy her a doghouse, line it with lots of bedding, and let her sleep outside. Or only let her in the areas of the home that are easily cleaned (ie the mudroom, kitchen, basement, etc). Stop giving her free reign and go visit her elsewhere in the home. Otherwise call an animal rescue organization and ask if you can surrender her.