Our cat Pete (indoor) is nearly 7 years old. Last year we adopted him from our Local Humane society, and he was regular-sized and seemed to be very healthy. From the moment we brought him home, he began to develop bowel problems and we are unsure why. We kept him on the same food-brand as the HS used, and since then have tried switching him to healthier or vet-recommended brands that do not stop his diarrhoea and apparent discomfort. After spending nearly $400.00 on an inconclusive Veterinary visit (their diagnosis being that he is simply overweight and urging us to buy special $60.00 food and $45.00 supplements), we gave up! We have put Pete on multiple diets and food restrictions and he does not change. Our biggest concern now is that his poop-problems have caused strain on our relationship with him. He constantly scoots around, trailing remnants of his bowel movements all around the apartment. Sometimes, while we are out for even fifteen minutes, he will literally fill his litter box, and decide to go on the floor or in a laundry basket. We are constantly upset with him, and he therefor doesn't receive the love that he needs. He can not reach his rear, so we do wipe for him and bath him as often as possible. We have tried everything to stop the scooting, as well (spray bottles, putting his nose to it and then leading him to the litter box or to his carry-on for a time-out, etc.)
We do not wish to re-home Pete so we need some help! How do we help him? Can we get him to stop scooting?
WHAT WE HAVE TRIED
In regards to his poop problems:
- Diets
- Different Brands of Food
- Health Specific Foods (for overweight cats, for healthier bowel movements, for diarrhoea, for indoor cats, for adult cats)
- Veterinary Visits (which included shots, stool examinations, anal exams, and more but were inconclusive or deemed him simply "a fat cat")
- Litter Type Changes (Organic, Processed, Unscented, Scented)
In regards to his Scooting:
- Spray Bottle
- Showing Scoot-Mark then Litter Box or putting in Kennel