update on my not so new any more kitty

12 years ago

My new little kitty, Maggie, isn't so new any more and also not so little. I got her in October when she was seven months old so have had her almost four months. As you may recall she had lots of litter box issues (didn't use it consistently), lots of intestinal parasites and loose stools and last but not least lots of scratching on furniture and other good stuff.

I'm happy to say she is completely over the litter box problem. This is such a relief as I got more than a little feedback that sometimes they might never get over that. I'm sure it had to do with the parasites and diarrhea and that is all resolved now too.

We are still working on the scratching problem. The two sided sticky stuff worked well in preventing her from scratching on things and she seems to be taking to those flat textured cardboard scratchers. I'm still struggling with clipping the claws but I sneaked up on her when she was asleep yesterday and had great results. Aside from being too slow to get anything done before she started squirming, I think I also wasn't clipping them short enough - too worried about cutting down to the quick.

Anyway, all is going well thankfully. I had to return the cat I adopted before this one (didn't get along well with the others) and I really wanted this one to work out since she is such good buddies with my other cat.

Here she is (top) with her buddy (below) on their new cat tree.

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Comments (7)

laurief_gw
12 years ago
It's wonderful to have such a happy ending/beginning. You and that little girl have been through a lot in a short time, but she sure looks healthy and happy now. Congraulations!

Laurie
zep516
12 years ago
{{!gwi}}
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annzgw
12 years ago
Thanks for the update. Your thread should be a 'sticky' so anyone with litter box problems can easily find it. Just goes to show that if you're willing to work hard at solving the cause of the problem, the side effects will disappear.

I feel that her scratching habits, same as her litter box issues, will disappear in time. My cat was 1 1/2-2 yrs old before she lost her desire to scratch my furniture. She will still sometimes come bounding up the side of a chair, or pull herself along the bottom of the sofa, but overall she prefers her sisal and cardboard.
Have you considered using the Soft Paws vs clipping her nails?

A Hi-5 to you for all your effort!

Here is a link that might be useful: Soft Paws
Debbie Downer
12 years ago
Yay! Besides claw clipping are you also touching, stroking, massaging the paws during your cuddle times and pushing claws in and out as if were going to clip - gets them to have more positive associations with their paws being handled. At first they kind of freak out like - don't touch me there, why are you doing that! But then - well, who doesn't love a good foot massage!
socks
12 years ago
Good suggestion from KIashka. Maybe give treats when working with the feet too, if your kitty likes them.

Beatuiful cats, Gibby!
3katz4me
Original Author
12 years ago
I will work on that - foot, toe and claw massage at times other than claw clipping time.

annz, I maybe incorrectly concluded that applying soft paws wouldn't be any easier than clipping. And feedback I got from friends who tried that option wasn't very positive. I believe the main issue was that they didn't stay on very long.

I do feel a little more optimistic on the clipping after my latest relatively successful endeavor.
oregpsnow
12 years ago
Thrilled to hear Maggie, Tucker and their people are happy. Props to you for sticking with her through the litter box issues and giving another kitty a terrific home.