Re: OT: on the subject of pee (long)

[Nina]

Diane I feel for you, your housemate and of course Doyle.  I think it's 
a good idea to give Doyle his own space when you're not home, or when 
he's not directly under your protection.  I've used the feliway stuff 
too, (I did find a generic brand that was cheaper), I used the flower 
essences in the water bowls too.  I don't know if that stuff really 
helps or just makes me feel like I'm doing something/anything.  It does 
certainly sound like Doyle is not ready or comfortable enough to be in 
general population.  Working with ferals, (and Sophie Matilda, my 
resident psycho kitty), has taught me to take it very slow and to not be 
hesitant to go back a couple of steps in the acclimation/taming process 
when things are not progressing.  I just ordered this great condo cage 
that has wheels for easy movement.  I got it for about $80 bucks.  I'd 
set up something like that in Doyle's room and feed him in there to get 
him used to using it.  Have something like a small open travel crate in 
there to give him privacy etc.  When you think he's ready, you could 
move the cage out into the living room while you watch tv, put him on 
your lap and use the condo cage if you think he's getting stressed.  You 
might even want to partially cover the cage to make him feel even more 
secure.  You can always roll it back into his room and open up the cage 
door if he's too nervous about it at first.  I'm betting if you make him 
comfortable in his room, (a screen door so he can watch and hear the 
household activity, scheduled time spent with him), maybe even his 
"comfort table" in there propped against a window to watch the world 
from), he'll start to regain some confidence and stop the peeing 
behavior.  Does he have a cat buddy that he actually likes spending time 
with?  Maybe you could let that particular cat in Doyle's room with him 
from time to time for supervised visits.  Later, when you think he's 
ready, you could start releasing him when it's time to go to bed and 
everyone is more settled.  You just have to keep coming up with novel 
approaches and do your best to put yourself in his paws.  It will work 
out.  I don't know why it continues to surprise me, but I try to never 
say never.  Patience and caring have resolved so many situations that I 
thought might never work out.  Keep the faith,
Nina
Rosenfeldt, Diane wrote:
My housemate and I are having a new and interesting problem with our 
Doyle.  We've had him about 2 years and this has just started.