While I'm not the Poop Fairy, I am in contact with her. She suggests adding a bit of pumpkin to Pumkin's diet, and try mixing the two litters, only a little of the new at first, and slowly increasing.
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Needs Advice On Changing Type Of Litter
- Thread starter dianajune
- Start Date
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- #22
Sorry for taking so long to respond. Much has been going on that isn't good (not just Pumpkin-related).
Re. the canned pumpkin - I tried that awhile back and he threw it up. I am reluctant to give it to him again.
As I was typing this a few minutes ago, Pumpkin pooped again. It's been nearly two days since he did this, so I was in panic mode when I started this message. I don't know why his tummy slows down sometimes for no reason. He's on Miralax now, which the vet told me to start giving him a couple of weeks ago. Pumpkin is no longer on Lactulose. He hated it and medicine time was such a battle until recently.
His checkup is due this month so I will talk to his vet again. Maybe I need to increase the Miralax. It doesn't bother him and I mix it in his Laxatone, which is like a treat for him.
He's been eating, drinking and playing, grooming himself, etc. so I'm at a loss to explain why his tummy slowed down unless he can feel the stress I've been under.
The past few days have been horrid. Someone doxxed me on Twitter about 2-3 days ago and I'm still trying to find the identity of who did this. My personal info inc. old phone numbers and addresses were posted there, which I certainly do not appreciate. I don't want my ex-husband to know where I live.
My mobility scooter broke down on me the other day when I was a considerable distance from home. I was in tears at the local Fastrac station trying desperately to get in touch with tech support, which I finally did. It turned out to be a loose cable, probably because I went over some bumps. But that experience had me rattled. I was stranded for nearly an hour.
I've not been sleeping very much since before I was doxxed and I have to wonder if my stress is affecting Pumpkin. I hope not. I love him with all of my heart and I've bent over backwards to give him a good home since I rescued him over 6 years ago.
I want to transition him to pine litter and have plenty of it on hand but will have to order more clay litter just in case. I'll start mixing it in his box later this week when it's time to empty and scrub it.
I'm going back to bed. I am exhausted. Sorry this was so long! Thanks!
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- #24
Thank you! I hope so too!Sorry there's so much stress going on in your life.Particularly the doxxing.
I hope you can get some rest, and that things soon settle down in your life, and in Pumpkin's tummy.
I got up from my nap a short time ago and my blood sugar is improving already!
I'll keep everyone posted on Pumpkin's box issues. I may try to introduce the pine litter again tomorrow as opposed to later this week. We'll see how things go.
I know you've got a lot going, I've had enough going in the past that I missed little things that would make what I'm doing easier. So, I offer this in the spirit of being helpful not snarky. Okay?
When I hurt my back I could no longer pick up the 25 lb bags of litter and had to buy the 7 pound containers. With 7 cats that was a serious price increase. It took me several months to realize I could buy the 25lb bag, have the guys put it in the trunk, then scoop several cups of it out at a time into a bucket. I then took the bucket inside and emptied it into a large container. See, when you're stressed you miss things.
Now, this is what I thought might help you. You said you had trouble with the large litter box because it was too heavy. Have you considered scooping it out a few cups at a time, or if you're in better shape than I was back then maybe half of it at time? Use a bucket, or the plastic grocery bags (double bag in case they have holes in them.) Truth is, I still can't lift a litter box. I empty mine into plastic bags that food comes in - those for rice cakes hold three days of used litter and tie off nicely. It takes 6 rice cake bags to empty the box for a full change.
Hope things get better for you and Pumpkin. I'm impressed you got in touch with tech support for your chair and got an answer that worked. I don't have a chair, but I have an anti-tech knack.
When I hurt my back I could no longer pick up the 25 lb bags of litter and had to buy the 7 pound containers. With 7 cats that was a serious price increase. It took me several months to realize I could buy the 25lb bag, have the guys put it in the trunk, then scoop several cups of it out at a time into a bucket. I then took the bucket inside and emptied it into a large container. See, when you're stressed you miss things.
Now, this is what I thought might help you. You said you had trouble with the large litter box because it was too heavy. Have you considered scooping it out a few cups at a time, or if you're in better shape than I was back then maybe half of it at time? Use a bucket, or the plastic grocery bags (double bag in case they have holes in them.) Truth is, I still can't lift a litter box. I empty mine into plastic bags that food comes in - those for rice cakes hold three days of used litter and tie off nicely. It takes 6 rice cake bags to empty the box for a full change.
Hope things get better for you and Pumpkin. I'm impressed you got in touch with tech support for your chair and got an answer that worked. I don't have a chair, but I have an anti-tech knack.
You probably already know this, but stress can put your blood sugar up.
Glad it's getting better though. 
Stress can do it to them, and don't forget, they are MASTERS at picking up on our stress, as well! When things get more normal for you, that might take care of a lot of it for him, as well!
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #28
I didn't mean to let this thread go, but much has been going on during the past week. I believe the one responsible for my doxxing may also be responsible for or connected to an impostor who set up an account in my name on Twitter. That person's been posting alot of garbage, inc. some porn, racist images, etc. Twitter told me - after I had to prove MY identity - that the one who did this did not violate their rules on impersonation. Unbelievable. So, up went my blood sugar again.
Looks like I'll need an attorney to help with that issue.
Getting back to Pumpkin, he had tummy issues that were so bad I thought I was going to lose him. He didn't poop for about three days until early this afternoon. The vet told me to give him extra Miralax. It finally kicked in a few hours ago.
I don't know if he's been holding it because I tried to transition him to the pine litter, or is it due to just the usual chronic tummy stuff he's had since I adopted him. Or, worse yet, could my stress be affecting him? I hope not. I love my baby.
When Pumpkin got bound up again, I went to his litter box and did my best to remove as much of the pine litter as possible. It took forever, but it was worth it. He seems to like it much better. He's going to the vet for a checkup this week and I will discuss the litter issue. Is it possible that some cats absolutely will NOT make the change? I'll have to order more clay litter in that case...we're starting to run low.
You had some good suggestions about how to handle the box. I think for now we'll stick with the other one. The larger box (the one that is more difficult to handle) has been washed and put away.
My scooter, btw, seems to be having more issues. I don't know why and will have to have my repairman look at it. The headlight is acting up, not sure if it's due to my being out in bad weather a few days ago or if it was something else.
It's always something. Anyway, thanks for listening! <hugs>
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- #29
Oh yes, I've known that for a long time. Unfortunately, things got worse for me on Twitter and I now have an impostor that website refuses to remove. My sugar went up again after this happened but is slowly coming back down.You probably already know this, but stress can put your blood sugar up.
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- #30
I try not to show my stress but we are so close it's difficult to hide it. Pumpkin and I are like peas and carrots!
He even likes to sit on me. Sometimes I'll be hanging out in his recliner (which he allows me to use!) and he'll sit on my tummy and stare at me or sit on one of the armrests and does his kneading thing.
I hope that Pumpkin understand that my stress is not directed at him, it's something going on outside our home. I don't want to know what he went through before I got him....I just want my baby to know he is very much loved and wanted.
Hugs to you too.
Hope things settle down soon. And keep us posted on how Pumpkin's doing. 
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #33
My little fur baby is doing great this morning. He settled down for his nap and I'm doing wash. When I'm done Pumpkin will most likely want to get into the closet and play around in there as usual.Hugs to you too.
He's got a checkup scheduled for next week, at which time I'll talk to the vet about the litter box issues. They need to check his teeth too....I can't remember if I mentioned this before, but he might need some dental work.
Thanks again for your help!
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- #34
That's a good idea. I'll have to try that. He likes it when I rub behind his ears too, and his lower back.
Pumpkin was never that touchy-feely when I first adopted him. He is now!
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- #36
When I adopted Pumpkin over 6 years ago, his color was more "orangey" than it is now. He's mostly a pumpkin-colored coat except for a white tummy, paws and most of his face. Pumpkin has some stripes on his tail.
He is very pretty.....even the vet's office noticed when I took my baby for his first checkup. The receptionist said he is handsome.
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- #38
Gotcha. Funny how real life gets in the way of online life!
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- #40
