My Boys are peeing on cat tower help!!!

[frawri]

HI Group:
I am having problems with my boys peeing on or near their cat tower. Do you know of any way to nip that in the butt? They have never done this before. I have a product called petastic, and it works great to take out the smell of urine and poo. But I hate to keep on having to spray it down every time I turn around. They both just turned 2 years old this past may. Is it normal for them to start marking their area? Even when they are neutered? They have had a few changes in the house. That is the only reason why I could think of that they would start doing this. I started up a dog rescue out of my home. I only have two extra dogs at a time. And they have taken it well since they have been raised with dogs. And they only started this just this week, and we haven’t had any rescue dogs in the house for the past two weeks. Because I went on vacation. Please if you know of any way to stop this let me know. God bless


Francine

[Traci]

Did someone stay with them or check in on them when you were on vacation? Anything unusual occur during that time, according to the caretaker?

Both your absence and the new dogs in the house are probably why they have started urinating on their cat posts. They're obviously distressed about something, is it the dogs, your being gone, or a combination of both. Don't assume just because there were no dogs around for two weeks, that your cats weren't stressed by them. Cats can develop stress weeks, or months after a stressful incident or event.

Are you sure they have taken it well regarding the dogs? My guess is they have not. Being raised around dogs, and being in a constantly changing environment with new, different dogs are two entirely different situations. Imagine your cats being introduced to different cats on a regular basis, it would be the same with dogs, that's a great deal of stress for a cat. Remember that the cats are being forced to these introductions/interactions, and even in the best of circumstances, they may not appreciate them invading their environment. However subtle these changes may seem to you, for your cats, they are major changes and may not be adapting as you think they are.

And as always, see your vet to rule out urinary tract infections.

[frawri]

My husband was at home with them while I was away. I would never leave my guys alone. As for the dogs, looking at it the way you mentioned. I bet it is because they are under stress. I just never really thought about it, because they seemed to have taken the change so well. They just lay around when the new dogs come in. They don't bother getting up really for no one. Pretty well laid back. And I haven't seen any real changes in their temperaments. So I didn't think anything of it. I will have to watch them closer. I have an area for them that is all their own. But we got a new cat tower, and put it up in our office. So I could spend more time with them, and watch them play. But maybe it is because they have to share that room with the dogs, that they have started to pee on it. Now I feel real dumb, because as I write this, I am thinking dah they don't have their own space any more... We decided to move the cat tower back down stairs where they have their own space cornered off for them. They have the run of the basement. I don't like that I can't see them play, but if it means they are happy again, then that is what is needed. Thanks for your help, I will keep a closer watch on them.

[gurl2005bby]

you might want to get them test for UTI because trouble did same thing in cat tower even i had a 2 new puppies (that was last year) I had to throw cat tower out. I think to me they just peeing tall as they can so we can see it when we stand up looking straight... Just thought to let you know it happen to me... It could be one cat not other (i dont know if you caught them both doing it)

[frawri]

thanks for you help, I will take them in. God bless

[jewelsf]

I'm a little late on this but if you're still having a problem I have an idea. If your cats peeing is not due to health but rather to stress, you might try a product called "feliway" It is a spray that mimics the pheremone that cats use to mark an area as 'safe". You can also get it in a type of diffuser that you plug into an outlet, like an air freshener. I have a cat who used to have serious issues due to the fact that we had moved several times. I started using this product last time we moved, and it completely solved the problem. I always keep a bottle around, and I spray it on any new furniture now in order to discourage the cats from peeing on the furniture, which is one thing that cat would often do.

Julie

[frawri]

Wow that sounds like just what I need. But if it smells like their own spray, why would I want it? How does it work? They still are spraying even though they have their own area. Where the dogs are not allowed. They have no UTI, so it is stress that is causing this problem. They now have taken to peeing on the couch, and on our doggy beds we have in the kitchen. The biggest problem is I don't know how to stop this. And I rent this home. My landlord has been really good about letting us have them here. But if he comes into the house before I can clean this mess up. We will all be out on our ear.

[jewelsf]

it doesnt smell like cat spray. Cats have a few different types of pheremones. they have "safe" pheremones - these are usually given by glands on their face. when you see a cat rubbing something with his face, he is leaving his "safe" pheremones there. That is his way of marking an area as safe. the pheremones he leaves with his urine are more like "danger will robinson" pheremones. they use these pheremones when they feel threatened, or when they want to make sure everyone else knows a spot is their territory. the feliway spray mimics the "safe" pheremones, and the smell is not noticable to a human. the spray has an odor that is kind-of plastic-y, not animal at all, but once you spray it and it drys you will not smell anything. The theory is that if the cat smells the "safe" pheremones in the area, he won't feel the need to mark it with danger pheremones. It has worked well for us, so I guess I'll just go with that theory!

Julie

[Traci]

Frawri, the cats urinating on the dog beds is a clear indication they are stressed about the dogs, as they are marking on their property.

Were they taken to the vet, re our last posts?

[frawri]

Yes the vet said they were healthy, and it must be stress causing them to do this. Problem is they are keeping this up even though the things that have caused the stress are gone. I know it can take some time, but they keep spraying. I will try this other stuff that was mentioned. I hope it will help. Where can you get it from? Petsmart?