Dianas behavior?

Question
Hello Tabbi, hope your well. Thank you again for your help, Diana is doing fine. I did have a few questions and concerns. Prior to adopting Diana I was forced to sell my car due to to limited finances, as I mentioned in my first email I am on disibility. So me and Diana spend a great deal of time together. Last week I rented a car for the day. In Phoenix it can get blazing hot, we have been averaging 110 a day, sometimes hotter. I had a doctors appointment, had to go to the pharmacy, grocery store, pet store, and that was the day I took the abandoned cat to the Humane Society, it was a busy day. I was in and out alot, not the norm for me. Later in the evening when Diana had her bowel movement there was a small amount of loose stool on the floor next to her litter box. I do not believe it is a health problem, her diet has not changed, I feel it was stress from my routine changing. That worries me because as I mentioned I am seeking part-time work, will she react this way everyday when I am gone? Also, within the last week or so she has stopped covering her feces when she uses the litter box. I read some of your questions and answers concerning this, you said it could be an act of dominance? Why would she do that? It is just me and her, no other people or animals. Her litter box is in the bathroom, she does not seem to have any 'hang-ups' about using it. It is an open container type, I do not close the door when showering or using the bathroom, I do not want to cut off her access to her litterbox. It is not uncommon for her to use the litter box when I am going to the bathroom, so she is not 'shy' about using it. I also considered whether it was an issue of cleaniness, but I changed her litterbox today and she still did not bury her feces. I put in approx. three inches of litter, so there is enough. I have been using Fresh Step, I am considering changing to a clumping type, that would keep it cleaner, at least as far as urine, but that does not mean she will bury her feces. Also, you said perhaps a second cat would help provide companionship for her, she is five, do you think a kitten or an adult would be better? I was thinking kitten, because it might bring out her maternal instinct and kittens have so much energy. But I am also worried she would react very negatively toward another cat no matter what age, she is ~very~ demanding of my attention and affection. Right now that is out of the question untill I secure some sort of employment. I have several Betta fish in separate bowls, she likes watching them, I was thinking of getting a hamster and keeping it in a cage, or perhaps a small aquarium to keep her occupied. Overall she is doing fine, the only time she wakes me is in the morning when she wants her soft food, I do not have a problem with that, it is normal to be hungry, and I can always go back to sleep after feeding her. I feel blessed, she is such a loving cat, so well behaved, and she is a real talker, she has improved the quality of my life. I don't know if I mentioned this, but I am sure you know most apartments require a pet deposit and charge extra 'pet rent'. I have a very nice manager, she knows my situation, she told me to get a note from my doctor saying that because of me being on disibility that having a pet would be theraputic, she waved the 300 dollar pet deposit and 10 dollar a month pet rent. So Diana is kind of a therapy pet. I needed company and love and she needed a home and love, so we both filled a void in our respective lives. I just don't want her to get to dominate or have her behavior spiral out of control if I go to work. Thank you in advance for your help, Best Regards, John~~

Answer
John,

You sound like you have a great and understanding manager. You are very lucky.

Clumping litter is the only way to go! I would never change back. You also use less than the clay kind and it is much easier to keep the litterbox clean.

It's hard to tell....Diana's pooping could be her way of telling you she was not happy that you were gone and left her, it could have just been an accident, or she could be doing the dominace thing showing you SHE is the boss here, not you. Then again, it also could be a Calico thing as my Calico doesn't cover hers up either, and never has. And she is not doing the dominance thing. OR it could just be laziness. She knows you will take care of it.

I have lizards and aquariums for my cats. They love to watch them. Mice or hamsters would be good. They get used to the cats quickly and go about their business which is what fascinates the cats. Some cats get overly excited so at first bungee down the cage to make sure she can't knock it off until you see how she reacts. And think about the cat videos too. They just LOVE those!

It is hard to say about a second cat. Too bad you couldn't have brought the cat in that the neighbor's left to see what Diana's  reaction would have been to another cat. Too much depends on Diana. She may be too territorial for another cat, or like you say, she may get maternal with a kitten. But usually a kitten is not a good choice for an older cat. The only thing you can do is try it, but make sure you go through the introduction process correctly and do not try to rush it.

She may not like you leaving her but when she gets used to the routine and knows that you will be coming back she will adapt.

As loving as they can be, Calicos can also be stubborn and cop attitudes. As much as she is your companion and friend, you still need to have rules and be firm with her when she violates them, or her behavior CAN 'spiral out of control'.

Tabbi