Hello Again! FDMB, I have a couple questions!

[TuxedoFilly]

Hi Guys!

I was on here back in 2009 when Lance was having some severe trouble with his 'betes. You were all so helpful, and I'm sure your guidance played a substantial role in helping save his life!

I'm back because I need some suggestions/ advice. Things have changed quite a lot since my last visit here.

The nutshell story is as follows, in 2011 I lost my farm, Lance moved a few towns over with a diabetic friendly caretaker (a good friend of mine who was very familiar with Lance). I moved into the city, and Lance and his new friend got along so well the boy taking care of him said "for the foreseeable future" he would like to keep him. I adopted 2 kittens last fall, thinking Lance would be staying with his new boy, likely until the end of his life. - Said boy get ahold of me 2 days ago, asking if I could take him back. I was shocked.

This decision to reclaim him - though immediate - is very tough for me. My fiancee and I make a considerable amount less each paycheck now, and supporting 2 youngsters plus Lance might be a bit of a stretch. I THINK I can do it, but there is a catch. Lance has adjusted to being a semi-outdoor kitty in his new home (something I desperately disagree with, as he is fully declawed). Consequently, he now has a litter box aversion. Now, knowing Lance, it could be any number of things from his stubborn personality, to the wrong litter.

I live in a rather small 2 bedroom town house now, so his dislike of the box would have to be cleared up immediately. My two youngsters have never once had accidents and I would like to keep the incentive to do so non existent, you know? - I can cough up the money for the food, he would be coming with plenty of insulin, and thereafter would not be an issue. (though I still have yet to get an answer on if he is still on Lantus).

I just feel like I have so much to weigh in terms of pros, cons, and possibilities. I am overwhelmed but determined to make this happen. Does anyone have any suggestions for me?

What could I do to help him adjust to the move + new kitties?

What should I do about the food? Switch everyone, or feed Lance separately?

Lance is currently eating Wilderness Grain Free (dry), should I switch him BACK to wet food?

What advice would you suggest for this litter box issue?
( a friend of mine recommended non fertilized potting soil. I have also had luck using Dr. Elsey's Precious Cat Ultra Litter Attractant.)

Any help or words of wisdom are much appreciated!!

 

[hmjohnston]

You don't say what you are feeding the other two cats- is it also dry? It would be better to transition them all to canned if you can- Lance should never have been back on dry- even if it is grain free it isn't carb free. That way you wouldn't have to worry about Lance getting any kibble.

Litter box- I read on here when a cat had some issues and wasn't LB trained to place them in a cage big enough for them to have a LB, food/water dish, and a bed. That gives them a choice of going in their bed, their food, or the LB. That being said, he is now an in/outdoor kitty and it could drive him bonkers.

Integration into the household- In the beginning Lance needs his own space- some suggest a large cage or his own room with a closed door- they can sniff and see each other but can't really fight to the death over territory. Give them a few weeks to adjust, do supervised visits initially and, if nothing drastic happens, do short, unsupervised visits and then longer ones.

The last two are based on what I have read from the board as I have never had either of these situations come up.

heather