Hi all! It's great to find a forum with so many Bengal enthusiasts!

I have a beautiful 3 year old Bengal named Samson.

10556432_10204094429988693_4706946295482106697_n.jpg

About a month ago Samson developed struvite crystals in his bladder (which I was able to detect from experience from having other cats have the issue) and had him quickly diagnosed and treated for. He had to go through surgery as it was blocking his urethra and would have caused kidney failure if left alone. He is now on a special cat food to remedy the development of any further crystals. Soon we will be able to start mixing his food back in and get him back on his regular diet.

My issue is this: He naturally associated the litter box with pain after this issue. I have bought special retraining litter, religiously kept the cat boxes clean and bought a kitty water fountain to encourage more frequent water drinking. After bringing Samson home from the vet, we did the necessary monitoring to clear him of any further issues. I noticed Samson would jump on my lap and pee. I'm conscious of the fact that he was having litter box association issues and was looking for a more comforting location so I did not get mad at him and only positively encouraged him when he did go in the litter box, while making sure to immediately clean the spots he was not suppose to urinate.

For a while I had him wear a calming collar as he seemed to be exhibiting unusual stressed behavior from being anxious due to the whole surgery/vet/pain process, but he still "marks" sometimes (I'm not sure if he's actually marking or if he's just peeing. It doesn't seem to be a full on bladder empty). I've noticed it is mainly on the bed, the favorite blanket we use together, or on myself at times. I've had to close him out of the bedroom since he will automatically pee there. I know this causes him stress and it makes me sad as I miss having him sleep between my feet. I somehow feel that since his bladder infection, he feels the need to "mark" whats his due to insecurity and when around my other cat that he dislikes. (I have 5 cats, but he does not get along with only one of them. Bullying and chasing her.)

Any suggestions on how I can reintegrate him into the bedroom and prevent the marking on the bed and favorite blanket? I feel like I've tried every solution, but it's like one step forward and two steps back. He's such a wonderful cat and I completely adore him despite his issues, I'm just trying to fix what seems to have broken since the bladder infection. He never did this before.

You've hit the nail on the head. The problem is that Samson does not get along with one of your cats. Cats are automatically territorial. Marking is a sign of that. Even neutered males mark for territory. It may take some time for Samson to disassociate the litter box with pain. You may try a different type of litter box, new litter, and a new location -- sort of starting over for him. The pain he experienced is similar to what a human experiences with a kidney stone. Time will heal that association, so you just have to be patient. Have you tried Feliway diffusers and/or spray? When two cats do not get along, there is stress among the cats. Stress in cats, like stress in people, is not a good thing and you need to try and see if you can get these two cats to coexist without the aggression and bullying.

Bless you for having so many feline friends. The only way you're going to be able to get Samson back into your bedroom is to make sure he's using the litter box. And I'm guessing you have at least five and preferably six of them. If not, then add them. This is not a problem you will solve overnight, or maybe even weeks. It's going to take re-training over and over and over again. This is not Samson's fault, but he obviously has some issues. I know it's frustrating to you, but this is not easy on the kitty either.

I would also try some spirit essences from jackson galaxy. He has essences for all sorts of cat situations and they can be added to food or water.

_________________
Melissa

UK
Oscar - Rescue (Rascal!!!) Bengal

Thank you guys for the recommendations. I do have 6 litter boxes, but I may go buy some temporary disposable one's at put them in different locations around the house just to try and encourage more litter box usage until he gets better at it again.

I have thought about purchasing some Jackson Galaxy essences, since I believe it would probably help all the cats in the house. I'll definitely be giving them a try.

Echo is the kitty that gets bullied (I believe she is a mix of Russian Blue and tabby 17449_1304124450871_2479624_n.jpg), but as I mentioned she was bottle fed and not litter raised, because her mother cat died when she was only 3 weeks old. I raised her with a bottle and did all the mother cat duties. She has never been much of a social creature when it comes to the other cats and even with most people. She just did not have the opportunity to be exposed to the litter mentality.

Most of the other cats just tolerate her and ignore her. When I got Samson, he desperately tried to play with her, but she would just hiss and run away like usual. I think that put a bad taste in his mouth, so now that he's the bigger boy in the house, he chases her. I try to play with him and keep him busy so he's not as aggressive, which helps when he's been so busy he's tired, but the essences might help. I'll give them a try. I'm willing to do anything to keep the peace, and because I love them all, I have a lot of patience when it comes to dealing with it. Thanks once again for the suggestions. :)

I highly recommend the Spirit Essences, although I haven't tried them myself. Many cat owners swear by them. And I'm happy that owners are willing to try anything and everything to help a situation. You have more than enough litter boxes. We've pretty much figured out Samson stopped using the box due to the pain from the crystals. If you think it's time for him to pee, I'd pick him up and put him in the litter box. Once he discovers there's no pain associated with the box, he should be fine again.

Just wondering how Samson is getting on. Any improvement?

_________________
Melissa

UK
Oscar - Rescue (Rascal!!!) Bengal

Yes, curious to know how things are going and what else you have tried!

_________________
Guardian of Zelda - Brown Spotted Bengal

We need an update, please.