Accepted Answer

Hi Lisa, and thanks for your question.

It sounds like you have a lot going on with your new puppy and your cat.

It's possible that your cat has begun eliminating inappropriately due to the stress of the addition of the new puppy, however, it's always wise to first have your cat evaluated by the vet, and a urinalysis performed, to make sure she doesn't have any underlying medical condition, like a UTI or bladder infection/stones, causing her to eliminate around the house. If all is well medically, then you can confidently treat this as a behavioral problem.

http://www.sniksnak.com/cathealth/fusfaqs.html
http://www.sniksnak.com/cathealth/uroliths.html

Cats are creatures of habit and do not take kindly to change, especially older cats, so if the puppy has caused her anxiety, and especially if he is going into her litterbox, Feliway/Comfort Zone for Cats, is a cat-appeasing pheromone which you can try to help calm her and curb urine marking and/or inappropriate elimination. It comes in both a spray and plug-in diffuser. The diffuser plugs into an electrical outlet like an air freshener, but has no scent to humans. For more information, please see:

http://www.catfaeries.com/feliway.html

Major pet supply stores carry Feliway, you can also order it online, and some vet offices carry it.

In order to prevent your cat from returning to the places she's already soiled (if she smells it, she'll keep thinking they are appropriate toileting places), you can use an enzymatic cleaner to completely remove all traces of stain and odor. Nature's Miracle and Zero Odor are good products for this purpose, and can be found in most pet supply stores, and online. For more info and to view all related products, please see:

http://www.naturemakesitwork.com/home/index.php
http://www.allivet.com/Equalizer-Carpet-Stain-and-Odor-p/26942.htm
www.zeroodorstore.com
http://www.redhotcarpetcleaning.com/en-us/simple-solution-faq.html

There's another product which I think may help you get your kitty back to using the litterbox--it's a clumping kitty litter called 'Cat Attract'--it contains herbal attractants which encourage use of the litterbox. It too, may be found in major pet supply stores. However, you need to stop the puppy from getting into the litterbox and eating her feces, and also be sure this litter doesn't pose a problem for him, if he should ingest it. This is not an uncommon occurrence in puppies, and more information will be provded below.

Try more than one litterbox, as some cats prefer this, and also try to place the boxes in different areas of your home, but where the puppy can't get into them. I admire the actions you've already taken re: a box to keep the puppy out, but since he was able to get into that one too, perhaps one with an opening to enter from the top, or place it in a bathtub or a room that has an electronic pet door, and your cat can wear a collar which emits a signal to open the door only for her.

Poor baby, she is probably so freaked out by this new bundle of furry energy! Older cats are usually very annoyed by young puppies and kittens, because they are non-stop energy machines! Please don't rub her nose in the urine when she urinates outside the box, because cats don't respond to that type of correction and it will only make her fear you. Make sure she has some safe places to hide or run to, when she doesn't want to be bothered by the puppy. A tall scratching post with 'shelves' or a kitty condo with 'hidey holes' and shelves for sleeping/perching are great. As you may know, cats love to be up high because it makes them feel secure.

You might have to start from square one with the introduction process of the puppy to the cat, to enable her to accept him better. First, take a very slightly damp cloth or paper towel and pet your cat with it, then pet the puppy, then vice versa. Continue to do this frequently, throughout the day. This will deposit each pets' scent on the other's fur and they will smell it all the time, so it will become more familiar, every time they meet face to face. These webpages will help with details on the introduction process:

www.paw-rescue.org/PAW/PETTIPS/DogTip_Cat.html

http://leerburg.com/dog-cat.htm

Puppies love to eat cat feces, they think it's a 'treat'. This condition is called 'coprophagia', and is not uncommon. You can read more about this condition and how to help curb the behavior, here:

http://www.sniksnak.com/doghealth/coprophagia.html
http://www.sniksnak.com/doghealth/feces.html

I hope things improve soon, for your kitty.

Cher

Expert:	Jessesmom
Pos. Feedback:	99.7 %
Accepts:
Answered:	10/28/2009

Feline Specialist Health/Behavior

Feline Healthcare and Behavior Specialist 40+ years Experience