Expert: Ellen Carozza - 6/7/2004

Question
I have two cats - Brutus, the gray, tiger-stripe & Fate, the Tortoise Shell.  My first problem is that Fate has a tendency to (since we've had her) randomly pick a spot "near" the litter box to do her #2!  We think we keep the litter boxes clean, but perhaps we don't know what we're doing.  I'm not sure why it is that she does this, but it makes some faces turn a bright red when guests come over & it's happened.

The second problem is with both cats.  They both have an unending desire to eat plants, flowers, etc.  When they do, they always throw up on the floor - Why a cat would continue to eat the plants after he/she keeps throwing up - I can't answer.  Is there some way to keep them from doing it via a spray that doesn't hurt the plant, but makes them taste bad to the cats?

Finally, my last problem is with Brutus.  This cat throws up (hairballs, etc.)  on a weekly basis or so.  Is there anything out there that can treat this issue?  All these problems make it tough to own animals & have guests over, while at the same time, trying to keep the carpet clean.  They always seem to choose the carpet as opposed to the hard-floors - Go figure!

Thanks in advance for your help!
Adam

Answer
1. get a 3rd box. :) It tends to help! also keep the area around the box tidy. It IS the box thats causing her to do this.

2. cats like plants period, and they like to vomit :) accept this cat fact.

3. hairballs? petromalt or laxatone a few times per week can help. as well as some hairball diets.

Good Luck