Cat Prob

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
Hi Adam,

Some cats require two litter boxes.  One to piddle in and the other one to poo in.  Maybe adding another litter box in a slightly different location will do the trick.  

Eating plants and flowers is natural for cats, but if you don't want them to, I would either not have them in the house  (the plants I mean), or move them to a location the cats cannot reach.  Some house plants and flowers can be poisonous to cats.  Cats eat grass too, so get some oat grass in containers and leave it around for them to eat.  I know they throw it up sometimes, but it's something their digestion seems to crave.  

As long as your cats groom themselves, they will throw up hairballs.  It's normal.  If you will go to the pet store and buy a good hairball medicine and dob a drop of it on their front paws weekly (rub it into their paws a little so they cannot shake it off)..... that will pretty much stop their throwing up.  It is a treatment recommended by vets everywhere.  I have used it for years and never have a hairball problem with my cats.  Let me know if I can be of further help.  Barb