Chloe is NOW an outdoor cat!!!! I kept smelling something down here in my studio...she's been peeing on the carpet in front of the fireplace..NO MORE!!!!!
She poops on my chairs...I have taken care of her for about a year now, and no amount of incentive or cat training (HA!!! That is a contrast in terms if ever there was one!) will work.
She is NOT a lovey cat. You can't pick her up, you can't pet her. It's no wonder she was a rescue, I am such a sucker!
I am cleaning carpet ;c(
I don't want to take her to the pound...WHO is going to want a cat that can't be potty trained? I feel like she has a better shot at life this way..being my porch kitty. I'll feed her in the mornings. I'll try to pet her and love her out there. Lots of people have outdoor kitties. Come winter...maybe she can sleep in the garage, but I am SO done.
It's one thing to have a son you can't train, but a cat is a cat is a cat!
Please. No one comment about how cruel this is to a cat. I've been through the wringer. No animal rights activists.....if you comment, I just might send her to you to poop on YOUR chairs!!
PS...don't try to look for a graphic under "BAD KITTY" *LOL* You will be surprised what kind of adult sites pop up!!!
Bonnie
Good for you! Life has enough stresses. You certainly don't need that!
ReplyDeleteBonnie - we too have been through the same thing. We had adopted 2 brothers as kittens from a rescue. After years of fighting with it and $1,000's of dollars replacing carpet, you came up with a much better option than we did. Hang in there.
ReplyDeleteNo gripes here. Hugh moved out when she decided that she wanted breadkfast at 5 AM every morning and informed DH of that by sitting on his chest and kneading. There is no occasion on which my DH is a happy camper at 5 AM--especially when he is not camping.
ReplyDeleteBut did you check into a UTI?--I understand that cats are very susceptible to them. Doesn't excuse the poop, though.
Bonnie, this is not cruel. I had a cat who lived a long happy life as an outdoor cat. She lived in the garage and hung out in the backyard. She was moved outside because she had a weak bladder and even though she could make it to the litter box for no 2, she could not get there in time for no 1. The neighbors loved her, she kept their homes mice free. She would follow my stepfather around the yard as he gardened and looked both ways before crossing the street. This was in NY - so we had weather. She lived to be 16. Your kitty may bloom outside. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteWe have a porch kitty and he is quite happy with his outdoor life. He loves to bring us bits and pieces of things he catches (I could live without that part). Hubby and son built him a little kitty house that he sleeps in. We put straw in it in the winter and he stays comfy even in the worst of weather.
ReplyDeleteYou won't hear any complaints from me. I understand completely after living with a cat who left me many a steaming pile of cat poop on the rug in front of the door. Fortunately it was a washable throw run. I was lucky that she didn't choose to pee outside the box. She probably would have been better as an outdoor cat because she didn't get along with the others but she had been declawed by a previous owner. Like you said - I soon learned why she was a rescue cat. Plenty of cats live their lives outdoors and usually prefer it.
ReplyDeleteI can totally relate. We HAD two cats for 13 years and they were wonderful. We loved them. Then my daughter rescued a kitten born of feral parents in the neighborhood and he was a beautiful siamese mix. But, he had issues and we would often find a pile of poop for us each morning. It drove me nuts. We finally had to take them to the humane society. Sad story and it broke my heart to let go of our older kitties too.
ReplyDeleteMy sister has 4 cats,2 indoor,2 outdoor. As long as she has shelter it is NOT too cold for outdoor living in NC! Lots of outdoor dogs in NC too. My daughter lives in Charlotte and has a cat that comes and goew as she pleases and prefers the outdoors for days at a time.I live in the sandhills myself. No complaints from me!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad I'm not the only one with an untrainable cat, her name is Cleo. She'll be fine honestly. Nothing worse than the smell of cat pee.
ReplyDeletewe had outside cats and they managed just fine. there is only so much you can do if they won't train and then it seems like even then the house has a smell to it from the litter box even when dumped every day! We are in Arkansas and our cats lived outside year round and always managed to find a place to spend a cold winters night.
ReplyDeleteKaren
http://karensquilting.com/blog/
I had a house cat,Sonia, for two years before putting her outside due to my baby having allergies.We fixed her and she was a happy cat and would wait with my son at the bus stop till he left for school.She lived outside till she died at age 10.I miss her to this day.
ReplyDeleteI am sure she will have a great "cat house" built for her. Straw and old cutter quilts will keep her warm during your milder winters than here in Northern Indiana. I too have tried to rescue ferals. Some learn the box and some never do. The ones that never do are destined for outside.
ReplyDeleteXOXOXO Subee
www.subeesews.blogspot.com
My cats don't do well if they are indoors all day...they like their time laying on the deck in the sun.
ReplyDeleteI am glad you discovered the source of the smells...bad kitty indeed! Yuckola, I should, ouside for sure!
ReplyDeleteI can really relate to this one. Our cat Emmy was a street kitten who was "rescued" by someone and then we adopted her. She uses the litter box nicely, and for the most part is a lovely cat, but does not enjoy being petted except on the top of her head and besides that...she bites. We know she bites out of love, but have had a hard time trying to convince her that it is inappropriate. Now we have found an animal psychologist, (I'm not kidding about this), who may be able to help reprogram her.
ReplyDeleteEven if Chloe can't be an indoor cat, it is still a great kindness to feed and care for her. She is having a far better life than if she were on her own out in the wild. So I think you can feel good about what you are doing for her, knowing it is the best anyone can do.
Can't say I relate but I can't blame you. We've had neighbors with outside cats-sure kept our mice population under control! And we live in northeast PA where it can be cold and snowy though usually doesn't stay that way for long anymore. You've done the right thing.
ReplyDeleteHey, don't feel bad about your kitty. We have an outdoor kitty who wandered in one day and relies on us to feed her morning and night, she is one spoiled rotten kitty, she just can't come in the house, nor would she want to I suspect. At night she sleeps in our garage in my husband's boat, so even if you only let your kitty sleep in the garage in bad weather, it is better than the alternative. You are taking care of her. We even now have a kitty who lives in our patio, it stays out there morning, noon and night and just wants a little food and a petting. Just ignore anyone who might try to say something mean to you.
ReplyDeleteBonnie - you are so right! I four cats. My two males, who I love to death are indoor and downstairs cats, they pee all the time. It started when I couldn't afford to alter them ( later I did). My daughter's cat had peed and pooped on the carpet and the boys just kept on. Finally was able to take out the carpet and lay hardwood. Seems to have taken care of that problem. I also got rid of the family room and living room furniture as - yes they did - and haven't replaced it. I have to keep the bedroom doors locked as my big guy can open them. My two girls upstairs (netuered too.) stay in my bedroom...they are usually pretty good. So good for you. I would make the boys outdoor cats except too much traffic around our neighborhood and I can't deal with another "squashed" kitty.
ReplyDeleteGood for you and don't let anyone tell you different. You are still giving Chloe a great life, a chance to live, to have love, to be fed, to be cared for and to have security.
Karen (Corona)
Two weeks ago we did the same thing! I put up with it for over a year (but we had the cats for 8 years)....how much cat nasties should one person have to clean up????!!!!!
ReplyDeleteThe best solution I found for taking care of the odor is a mixture of white vinegar and water.....spray it on the carpet.....I did it for a whole week....of course the house smelled like vinegar for the week, but after it completely dried...no more pee smell!
Yesterday I was going through some stuff in my sewing closet and wouldn't you know.....I smelled it....inside a sewing machine carrying bad was dried on urine....I wonder how many other "left-overs" I will come across. :(
I was a little surprised my husband was so supportive because the cat really liked him best.....well....wouldn't you know....a new golden retriever puppy will be joining our family in August. :)
Hey, Bonnie. Been there, too. And my old max lived outside for 13 of his 18 years and we got along terrifically. He never ran away and he stayed close to home and I had a small cat house for him to live in and since it was carpeted inside and out, he stayed plenty warm. Take care. Lane
ReplyDeleteAnother reason not to have a cat! We do have a cat visitor from time to time....DH sees the evidence in the shop and the kitty prints on his 4 wheeler.
ReplyDeleteThe cat will be just fine outside.
To think such a pretty kitty as Chloe could be such a naughty kitty.....Anyway, don't feel bad about making her an outdoor kitty, as long as she has food she'll do fine. I have a cat that pees in the box just fine but refuses to poop in it. I have newspapers in her "potty corner" and she goes on those so it works out. She would hate being put out....scared of everything and doesn't like another living thing other than DH and me.
ReplyDeleteAll I can say Bonnie, is "Who's the Boss!?" Human or cat? A girl's got to do what a girl's got to do...and I think you have done the right thing ;o)
ReplyDeleteIn our area, during the winter, everyone uses heating pads in a small dog kennel for kitty beds, in a dry place of course. the kitties love it.
ReplyDeleteGood for you, Bonnie. To heck with the whiney animal rights people out there! We rescued an abandoned cat wandering the neighborhood after his owners moved away. He did use the litter box but would only go once and wanted fresh litter!!! We put up with poop piles and pee in every corner of the house when he got annoyed for any reason. He was especially fond of any shoes left on the floor! The smell permeated the subfloor, too.
ReplyDeleteOne day when we were on vacation, he darted out the door when our neighbor came to feed him. He never came home. Dear neighbor was devastated but we told her we owed her a deep debt of gratitude!! I don't miss that cat one bit. And I will freely confess I don't care what happened to it, either. Call me heartless. I now know why the people who moved left it behind.
Hi Bonnie - although I'm a huge cat lover, I say you absolutely did the right thing - they are pets after all!!
ReplyDeleteGood for you (cat v son comment really made me smile...)!
ReplyDeleteLoved the warning about graphic search online...
Hope the carpet is smelling nicer now that you've cleaned it.
You can only do so much! You gave it your best shot!
ReplyDeleteBeen there, decided that. Mine was peeing in the baby's buggy. And, the little bugger wanted to be an inside cat but learned to love being able to roam and still come home to eat. Good move.
ReplyDeleteYou are not mean or cruel...some cats just *need* to live outdoors. My brother/SIL had cats in their barns as *mousers* that never come indoors. When they moved, the cats merely live outside and in the garage now :)
ReplyDeleteReally, it's okay to have an outdoor only cat!
Cats have probably been living outdoors longer than we've been around!!! Don't feel guilty for a second.
ReplyDeleteI love cats and we have 2-3 around here most of the time. They are all outdoor cats (our daughter's does sleep with her out in the trailer but prefers the outside) and I like it that way. No accidents, no more hair in our food, no worrying about leaving food out on the counters, etc. Cats are pretty smart - they will find a warm place when it gets cold. Ours do just fine on the covered deck or in the garage.
ReplyDeleteI feel your pain. I have a 15 year old cat who has lost bladder control, but I just can't bear to put her outside. She has been an indoor cat forever and despite her accidents, I still love her, just don't love cleaning up after her.
ReplyDeleteMy friend loved cats so much that few friends went to her house b/c of smell. Male cats marked and remarked,ruined furniture, flooring, carpeting, drapery, upholstery. She always had an excuse for the cats' behavior until her realtor said the house was unmarketable w/o major work. Cats moved to outdoors at sister's farm, but too late to prevent monster loss on house sale. Good for you, Bonnie...choose the battles you can win.
ReplyDeleteWe too had a feral cat - the kids loved him, but we couldn't let him inside - still he had a wonderful long life!
ReplyDeleteHugs - Lurline♥
I live on a farm in Nebraska and we have outdoor cats - none in the house and they are perfectly happy outside all year long. Some do live in the barn but we have had cats take up winter residence in the dog house that we have stuffed full of straw. They love to cuddle up in it at night but spend the days sitting on the deck or just wandering around even when it is cold.
ReplyDeleteAll the farms and people that live in the small towns around here have outside cats (some do have indoor cats too.) The cats don't mind and act like they are OK with their living conditions so long as they have food, water and some place to get out of the snow and wind to sleep when it is cold. Nebraska gets plenty cold in the winter for sure.
Bonnie: Cat's can survive quite well outside, and maybe she is an outside cat at heart. Just do Chloe a favor and keep up on her shots, and a good flea/tick treatment (like Frontline).
ReplyDeleteThere are some who would argue that cats should be outside anyway! You gave her a good try, and she still has a home, don't beat yourself up.
ReplyDeletePS. The word verification is purrni....
My gosh don't beat yourself up over this. I can't imagine trying to clean up carpet after a cat used it for a bathroom, good luck getting the smell out. Cats survive quite well outside as all my neighbours cats travel through my yard, and have for years.
ReplyDeleteLesley
Bonnie, a practical solution for all, such patience deserves a clean fresh studio! Happy Quilting
ReplyDeletealways put on your own oxygen mask before assisting others. always.
ReplyDelete100% with you on this one. The brother of the cat who disappeared lives outside. I won't have him in the house except for feeding time. He's untrainable.
ReplyDeleteOh I think you hit on a good solution for you and the cat. Better outside than at the pound. Good for you to care enough about the 'destroyer' to still take care of it! That's more than some would do.
ReplyDeleteCats love it outdoors. Now you both have what you want!
ReplyDeleteI laughed at your comment about the Bad Kitty graphic.
We have two outside cats and they have a great life. One is going on 14 years old. I have a fan for them in our garage for the summer. But they still lay in sun on our deck in this 100º heat. A visit once a year to the vets and Revolution every month and they are perfectly content. I don't do PETA but a big supporter of our local Humane Society.
ReplyDeleteI hope nobody tries to make you feel bad for putting her outdoors. You do what you have to do! She'll be fine.
ReplyDeleteBeen there, done that, I feel your pain.
ReplyDeleteBonnie, it may be a good idea to check if your cat has some kind of infection like bladder or perhaps she could have stones. My old female cat stopped using her box, turns out it was a bladder infection. It is paifull to urinate and the cat relates pain to the box. She did retrain to litter once the infection was gone. Our male cat died from a stone blockage and infection, I did not catch it in time.
ReplyDeleteYes, the Simple Solution is great, (we have 4 cats and 6 poodles). I spritz carpets with the stuff after running the vac and also mop bathroom floors with it. LOL
Don't post this, just wanted to mention the idea about an infection. Maybe someone else already mentioned.
If she does her job right, Chloe will be taking care of all the "varmints" around your home in no time!
ReplyDeleteJust be prepared for the gifts she brings.
I feel your pain! With 5 cats in the house someone is always peeing. I love the enzyme solution! All of our cats are indoor/outdoor. When Jack couldn't stop peeing he became an outdoor permenantly resident. We found a cat house with a floor heater that had a pad on top of it. He loved it and slept in it in the winter. We covered it with plastic in winter and put it on a corner of the deck so it was wind protected too. Worked like a charm! Good Luck, you have made the best of a bad situation and Chloe is lucky to have you!!
ReplyDeleteWe recently had to put 2 of our indoor kitties outside, too. It's hard, but rather that than cat pee in the house. The one cat had a bladder infection, but we treated it and he was fine. But he kept peeing in the same spot, NOT the litter box. Even after a clean bill of health. So... out you go.
ReplyDeleteWe've had cat that did it...one vet said behavior...I didn't go for it as an excuse. Saw a different vet and DEMANDED a urinalysis in the three cases all three had bladder infections. One it ended up was kidney infection. Medication took care of it...the one with kidney infection the first type didn't help and had to have a urine culture which showed what meds were needed. After a complete run of that med everything has been fine!!!
ReplyDeleteWe have 2 stray cats that showed up last August. They have an insulated cat house - when it gets to be below 0 in the winter - they will go in there. It is just a wooden box about the size of a lobster trap that is stryofoam (maybe 2") glued all around the inside and with a small hole to get in and out. They thrive... and are good mousers too. Now if I could just capture up the wild things I could get them their shots! Cheers! Evelyn
ReplyDelete