****NEED ADVICE ASAP***PLEASE HELP!
****NEED ADVICE ASAP***PLEASE HELP!
My spayed female kitty, Daisy, is peeing on the carpet in my daughter's closet. I took her to the vet and she is healthy. The vet said she probably has litterbox aversion because my 2 male cats chase her. I stop them whenever I see them doing it but am not home all day. I recently moved in with my boyfriend (who is not a "cat person") and he is furious that the house smells like cat pee. I completely understand him being upset and am not a big fan of my home smelling like a giant litterbox either. Daisy was a rescue from Hurricane Katrina and was a street kitty when I adopted her. She prefers going outside and despite the risks, i used to let her go outside before we moved. The area that we live in now is in town and has a fairly busy road so I don't feel comfortable letting her out. Also, it's very cold in Virginia. Please help. I've tried changing the litterbox and I clean it every day. Is it inhumane to put her in a large cage with a litterbox when I'm not home? I also can't seem to get rid of the urine smell. I'm afraid if it doesn't stop I'll have to find her a new home or worse. I love her and took her as a lifetime commitment but at the same time can't have her ruin our house. Any advice??
How Many litterboxes do you have available? Preferrably you should have at least one per cat....and an extra if possible...
Sometimes that is not always possible....so I use a storage tote and cut a hole in one end, high enough to keep litter in, and use that...a few of them...it is larger than a normal litterbox...a bit more private...and has high sides in cases the males do not squat enough!!
Have at minimum TWO litterboxes so they can use one and she can use the others...have them in separate areas of the house.....
I would NOT put her in a cage..that would add to the stress....if there is a safe separate room you can let her bed in...with litterbox, food water and maybe a shirt of yours and a stuffed anmal...until everyone is better introduced and knows each other, that would be better....
She is feeling the stress of your BF anger and letting you know that as well....
There is a link in this forum for introducing ideas....
http://www.cathelp-online.com/forums/vi ... php?t=3518
As for the odor....There is a new product that I want to try...one of the other gals here ordered some.....it is called Zero Odor...and you want to get the blacklight as well...to look exatly for the urine stains...
http://www.zeroodorstore.com/?gclid=CKW ... DQod9XFs8g
Patience and positive attention from you, and your BF, will help her as well....
Sometimes that is not always possible....so I use a storage tote and cut a hole in one end, high enough to keep litter in, and use that...a few of them...it is larger than a normal litterbox...a bit more private...and has high sides in cases the males do not squat enough!!
Have at minimum TWO litterboxes so they can use one and she can use the others...have them in separate areas of the house.....
I would NOT put her in a cage..that would add to the stress....if there is a safe separate room you can let her bed in...with litterbox, food water and maybe a shirt of yours and a stuffed anmal...until everyone is better introduced and knows each other, that would be better....
She is feeling the stress of your BF anger and letting you know that as well....
There is a link in this forum for introducing ideas....
http://www.cathelp-online.com/forums/vi ... php?t=3518
As for the odor....There is a new product that I want to try...one of the other gals here ordered some.....it is called Zero Odor...and you want to get the blacklight as well...to look exatly for the urine stains...
http://www.zeroodorstore.com/?gclid=CKW ... DQod9XFs8g
Patience and positive attention from you, and your BF, will help her as well....
You need to address the two male cats chasing her, and your boyfriend.
Chasing is a form of intimidation, so whatever she tries to do during her normal daily routine is going to be interupted, which causes undue stress on her. Intimidation between cats must be stopped and harmony between them must be created.
Do not reprimand the males harshly, but rather, teach them that chasing and intimidation are not acceptable. Use a squirt bottle and a temporary time-out when you see/catch them chasing her. Divert their attentions to something more proactive, like toys, playtime, actively engage yourself in ALL of the cat's routines and playtime and activities. Make sure you spend time every day to involve them ALL in a special playtime session, bonding, grooming, something that allows them to share the same space together without fear of one another. This will take an effort on both your part and the part of your boyfriend. ALL family members must be dedicated to this.
Your boyfriend needs to be taught that cats will inappropriately eliminate when they are stressed, and he needs to understand it is not the cat's fault, she requires her humans to keep peace and harmony in the household. Stress is also a precursor to urinary tract infections, did the vet do a urinalysis to rule that out?
When your boyfriend is angry, he is also causing undue stress on your cat. Cats sense our moods, body language, tone of voice, so he needs to remain calm and help you work on this situation in a CALM manner. Yes, it is frustrating when a cat inappropriately eliminates, but when the human understands the cat's needs and the cat's environmental needs and you work toward a favorable solution, the situation can be resolved.
Pets have accidents, that's a fact of life. Furniture will get ruined, treasured items will get broken. If one is going to have pets, one has to expect that and be forgiving, and be dedicated to providing their needs to prevent upset. Pets aren't little children, they need their humans to keep their environment consistent, calm, peaceful.
Tambrey also has good points, one litterbox per cat, and strategically placed in the home. Do not put litterboxes near heavy foot traffic areas, nor around heavy appliances or dark or cold areas. While they like privacy, they also need accesibility and comfort (just as you do). Also provide a safe haven for the female, that is, a room just for her when she feels the need to retreat (yet, you still must work on prohibiting the males from chasing and intimidating her).
Is there something in the daughter's closet that is displeasing to the cat? Clothes strewn about, towels, fabrics on the floor will invite ANY cat to urinate on them. Keep clothes and other things off the floor so she is not invited to urinate on them. Keep the closet door shut, and make sure you provide that safe haven for her in another room.
Do NOT crate her or put her in a confined space, this will only make the problem worse, she will think she has done something wrong and will become fearful and withdrawing, depressed. Do NOT let her outdoors, under any circumstances, forget her prior outdoor life and work to make her INDOOR environment safe and happy. Work with ALL of the cats, and pay attention to their individual needs, accomodate their needs and you'll find the resolution.
I use Woolite OxyDeep for pet stains and odors, it works for me. Do NOT get the pet-specific Woolite, it smells awful and will offend the cats and probably actually cause them to mark areas. Unfortunately, when there is urine on carpet, it usually has gone to the subfloor and the only way to remove the odor and stain is remove the carpet, treat the subfloor and replace the carpet (or use vinyl or laminate flooring).
Chasing is a form of intimidation, so whatever she tries to do during her normal daily routine is going to be interupted, which causes undue stress on her. Intimidation between cats must be stopped and harmony between them must be created.
Do not reprimand the males harshly, but rather, teach them that chasing and intimidation are not acceptable. Use a squirt bottle and a temporary time-out when you see/catch them chasing her. Divert their attentions to something more proactive, like toys, playtime, actively engage yourself in ALL of the cat's routines and playtime and activities. Make sure you spend time every day to involve them ALL in a special playtime session, bonding, grooming, something that allows them to share the same space together without fear of one another. This will take an effort on both your part and the part of your boyfriend. ALL family members must be dedicated to this.
Your boyfriend needs to be taught that cats will inappropriately eliminate when they are stressed, and he needs to understand it is not the cat's fault, she requires her humans to keep peace and harmony in the household. Stress is also a precursor to urinary tract infections, did the vet do a urinalysis to rule that out?
When your boyfriend is angry, he is also causing undue stress on your cat. Cats sense our moods, body language, tone of voice, so he needs to remain calm and help you work on this situation in a CALM manner. Yes, it is frustrating when a cat inappropriately eliminates, but when the human understands the cat's needs and the cat's environmental needs and you work toward a favorable solution, the situation can be resolved.
Pets have accidents, that's a fact of life. Furniture will get ruined, treasured items will get broken. If one is going to have pets, one has to expect that and be forgiving, and be dedicated to providing their needs to prevent upset. Pets aren't little children, they need their humans to keep their environment consistent, calm, peaceful.
Tambrey also has good points, one litterbox per cat, and strategically placed in the home. Do not put litterboxes near heavy foot traffic areas, nor around heavy appliances or dark or cold areas. While they like privacy, they also need accesibility and comfort (just as you do). Also provide a safe haven for the female, that is, a room just for her when she feels the need to retreat (yet, you still must work on prohibiting the males from chasing and intimidating her).
Is there something in the daughter's closet that is displeasing to the cat? Clothes strewn about, towels, fabrics on the floor will invite ANY cat to urinate on them. Keep clothes and other things off the floor so she is not invited to urinate on them. Keep the closet door shut, and make sure you provide that safe haven for her in another room.
Do NOT crate her or put her in a confined space, this will only make the problem worse, she will think she has done something wrong and will become fearful and withdrawing, depressed. Do NOT let her outdoors, under any circumstances, forget her prior outdoor life and work to make her INDOOR environment safe and happy. Work with ALL of the cats, and pay attention to their individual needs, accomodate their needs and you'll find the resolution.
I use Woolite OxyDeep for pet stains and odors, it works for me. Do NOT get the pet-specific Woolite, it smells awful and will offend the cats and probably actually cause them to mark areas. Unfortunately, when there is urine on carpet, it usually has gone to the subfloor and the only way to remove the odor and stain is remove the carpet, treat the subfloor and replace the carpet (or use vinyl or laminate flooring).
..........Traci
Re: ****NEED ADVICE ASAP***PLEASE HELP!
My 2 boys that chase her are just trying to play with her but whenever I see them I shoo them away. Boyfriend isn't mean to my kitties in any way but he wouldn't have a cat as a pet if it weren't for me. I was thinking that Daisy may be stressed because Im not fully unpacked yet and there are boxes around still. I have one new, big box with a hood but didn't think she like going in with the hood so I took it off. I was hoping since it was deeper she would feel more protected. I bought the new hooded box trying to give her privacy but will definitely get another box for them. She initially started peeing in my daughter's adidas soccer bag that was in her closet. I threw out the bag but didnt realize that she was still peeing in there. Should I discourage the boys from chasing each other as well? They are constantly chasing and playing together. I try to get them all involved in play and try to pet them together but Daisy hides when they come around. She is fine alone on my lap and will sleep for hours. How can I get Daisy to not be so afraid of the other cats?
Daisy has a hx of crystals in her urine and is fed special food. The initially put her on Clindamyacin when I took her regarding this issue. When it didnt help, I took her back and she was put on Bactrim. She didnt do any bloodwork or UA because she assumed it was her bladder. I called the vet back and she said she didnt feel any abnormalities with her bladder and given her fear of the boys, she felt it was an aversion issue. In the past, Daisy has urinated on bathroom rugs and clothing when she had an infection and/or crystals. Should I get a second opinion to see if it is a health issue? What should I ask to have checked? Thank you for the suggestions. I will go get another box today.
Daisy has a hx of crystals in her urine and is fed special food. The initially put her on Clindamyacin when I took her regarding this issue. When it didnt help, I took her back and she was put on Bactrim. She didnt do any bloodwork or UA because she assumed it was her bladder. I called the vet back and she said she didnt feel any abnormalities with her bladder and given her fear of the boys, she felt it was an aversion issue. In the past, Daisy has urinated on bathroom rugs and clothing when she had an infection and/or crystals. Should I get a second opinion to see if it is a health issue? What should I ask to have checked? Thank you for the suggestions. I will go get another box today.
Re: ****NEED ADVICE ASAP***PLEASE HELP!
Am I reading you correctly, the vet didn't bother to do a urinalysis this time?
YES, get a new vet and urinalysis immediately. Any cat with a history of UTI's or crystals needs regular checkups/urinalysis, sometimes these crystals re-form, can block the urethra, can lodge in a kidney and can cause any number of problems.
YES, get a new vet and urinalysis immediately. Any cat with a history of UTI's or crystals needs regular checkups/urinalysis, sometimes these crystals re-form, can block the urethra, can lodge in a kidney and can cause any number of problems.
..........Traci
Re: ****NEED ADVICE ASAP***PLEASE HELP!
I agree with everything that has been said already. I can only offer one more suggestion after all of the other steps that have been mentioned have been taken.
We made a long distance move a few years ago, and my female kitty was a bit stressed. She decided to urinate on my new husbands leather chair. Every day. This was not good. First off we made sure she was healthy and kept up with urinalysis. She did have crystals. She was avoiding the litterbox because the crystals hurt, and when she would go into the litterbox to pee, it hurt, so she viewed the litterbox as pain. We took care of the health issues, lowered the stress level in the house, and also put down a new pan (with her old litterpan nearby) of Cat attract cat litter. Dr. Elsey makes this litter for cats with these issues. He puts herbs in the litter that are supposed to attract the cat to the box, or make it more welcoming, or whatnot. All I noticed was the dust in the box was seriously reduced, so I thought she liked it because of that. Anyway, it helped my kitty so I always recommend this litter to people having issues because it worked for us.
Good luck with you kitty and please don't give up on her. I can assure you it is just as "unfun" for her as it is for all of you.
We made a long distance move a few years ago, and my female kitty was a bit stressed. She decided to urinate on my new husbands leather chair. Every day. This was not good. First off we made sure she was healthy and kept up with urinalysis. She did have crystals. She was avoiding the litterbox because the crystals hurt, and when she would go into the litterbox to pee, it hurt, so she viewed the litterbox as pain. We took care of the health issues, lowered the stress level in the house, and also put down a new pan (with her old litterpan nearby) of Cat attract cat litter. Dr. Elsey makes this litter for cats with these issues. He puts herbs in the litter that are supposed to attract the cat to the box, or make it more welcoming, or whatnot. All I noticed was the dust in the box was seriously reduced, so I thought she liked it because of that. Anyway, it helped my kitty so I always recommend this litter to people having issues because it worked for us.
Good luck with you kitty and please don't give up on her. I can assure you it is just as "unfun" for her as it is for all of you.