We have been struggling for months now on what is going on with our cats. We have two indoor girls, both 9yrs old and have been together since they were kittens.
We started finding "kitty biscuits" in our couch cushions! The level of disgust was high. Now, while that has stopped we have pee and biscuits behind our TV and next to the front door. Also, pee around the litter box on the cement floor in the laundry room (where it has always been). We have 2 litter boxes and keep both clean regularly.
Mabel has deemed herself as "queen" and Patches seems to accept that. Mabel will chase Patch on occassion too.
We have now been noticing that the area by the door where there is strong presence of pee Mabel checks it out regularly and smells it and then does that mouth open/breathing thing.
So my call for help is this - how do we stop this? how do we know which cat is doing it (we've never caught either of them in the act)? and how do you get the smell out of concrete and carpet!
We love our cats and can't bear the thought of having to do something drastic, DD and I cried for hours last night as we tried to figure out what we can do.
Please help.
Desperate for advice
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slvrwhispr
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Re: Desperate for advice
Question one: Have you taken them both to a vet?
Re: Desperate for advice
yes, vet says nothing seems to be wrong with them - no infections, no lumps/masses, etc.
Re: Desperate for advice
First you have to clean the spots with an enzyme cleaner such as Nature's Miracle. Tambrey swears by something called Urine Off, which you can google to find. These things break down the protein in urine, which is what causes the smell.
I have 3 dogs and was having the same problem figuring out which one was doing it. Davet said there was a product you can get from the Vet which dyes the urine a little to help you determine which one. Hopefully Traci will see this and let you know if it can be used for cats.
Did you change the type of litter recently?
I have 3 dogs and was having the same problem figuring out which one was doing it. Davet said there was a product you can get from the Vet which dyes the urine a little to help you determine which one. Hopefully Traci will see this and let you know if it can be used for cats.
Did you change the type of litter recently?
Re: Desperate for advice
Question two: what types of stress in the home are they experiencing?
And as Silvrwhispr asked, when were they both checked by your vet? Urinalyses done? Full exams and bloodwork? (all cats over the age of 6 0r 7 should have full blood profiles done yearly, or twice-yearly, including urinalysis and thyroid function testing)
The original Nature's Miracle is now Petastic, use only Petastic because the Nature's Miracle doesn't work.
A solution of bleach and water would probably clean the concrete (please dilute it to 1 part bleach, 32 parts water). Or, you can seal the concrete with a concrete sealant, but read directions carefully, do not allow the cats or any other pets in the area when you're applying it, make sure the room is properly ventilated, and allowed to air dry. Read directions for precautions about children and pets.
There is a fluorescent stain in capsule or pill form a vet can administer to the cats, which will turn urine green/orange, in which you may be able to determine who the culprit is, but this may not be appropriate because dyes are not always good for pets (nor people). What you truly need to do is spend more time with the cats and observe their habits, litterbox usage, routines, etc in order to determine if one OR both are marking the areas. Chances are, both are because once one of them does, another will re-mark the area as a territorial instinct.
Depending on when the last vet visit was, I'd strongly advise they are examined again and new urinalysis for both cats. Bloodwork if one or both have never had bloodwork done or if there have been any health issues within the last 6 months to a year.
Address the environment for signs and obvious clues of stress. Company, loud noises, moving furniture, altered routines, your own stress and frustration the cats can pick up on, etc. etc. What is occuring in the environment that is making them unhappy, insecure, stressed?
And as Silvrwhispr asked, when were they both checked by your vet? Urinalyses done? Full exams and bloodwork? (all cats over the age of 6 0r 7 should have full blood profiles done yearly, or twice-yearly, including urinalysis and thyroid function testing)
The original Nature's Miracle is now Petastic, use only Petastic because the Nature's Miracle doesn't work.
A solution of bleach and water would probably clean the concrete (please dilute it to 1 part bleach, 32 parts water). Or, you can seal the concrete with a concrete sealant, but read directions carefully, do not allow the cats or any other pets in the area when you're applying it, make sure the room is properly ventilated, and allowed to air dry. Read directions for precautions about children and pets.
There is a fluorescent stain in capsule or pill form a vet can administer to the cats, which will turn urine green/orange, in which you may be able to determine who the culprit is, but this may not be appropriate because dyes are not always good for pets (nor people). What you truly need to do is spend more time with the cats and observe their habits, litterbox usage, routines, etc in order to determine if one OR both are marking the areas. Chances are, both are because once one of them does, another will re-mark the area as a territorial instinct.
Depending on when the last vet visit was, I'd strongly advise they are examined again and new urinalysis for both cats. Bloodwork if one or both have never had bloodwork done or if there have been any health issues within the last 6 months to a year.
Address the environment for signs and obvious clues of stress. Company, loud noises, moving furniture, altered routines, your own stress and frustration the cats can pick up on, etc. etc. What is occuring in the environment that is making them unhappy, insecure, stressed?
..........Traci
Re: Desperate for advice
Have you changed the type of litter that you are using? When I tried a different type of litter, my kitty started going outside of his box. It took me a while to make the connection, and when I switched back to his old type of litter, he resumed using his box.
Also, there is a type of litter called "Dr. Elsey's Cat Attract" that is supposed to be wonderful for re-attracting cats to their litter boxes. Maybe you could try that in one of your litter boxes and see if they like it.
I have found the "Cat Attract" at Pet Supplies Plus and Complete Pet Mart. I'm sure that Petco or Petsmart might carry it too.
Good luck and I hope you find a solution.
Anne (and Mia)
Also, there is a type of litter called "Dr. Elsey's Cat Attract" that is supposed to be wonderful for re-attracting cats to their litter boxes. Maybe you could try that in one of your litter boxes and see if they like it.
I have found the "Cat Attract" at Pet Supplies Plus and Complete Pet Mart. I'm sure that Petco or Petsmart might carry it too.
Good luck and I hope you find a solution.
Anne (and Mia)