looking for peace

tadaley08 · looking for peace

I need some advice. I have 3 indoor cats all fixed and related,(Mom 2 1/2y, Brother and Sister 7m). I am having a problem with one or more (not sure who yet) leaving large round wet spots on anything left on the floor,everywhere but not on the floor directly, although my bedroom has not seen any signs... so far. Clothes, towels, blankets,backpacks and just recently clothes on the bathroom counter everything seems to be at risk. My husband, who is not a lover of indoor animals anyway is ready to through them out. Currently I have 2 covered litter boxes, and have been reading that I should have 4. (not sure where to place them at this time but looking) I also let them outside leaving the door open for an hour or so each day. Would the amount of litter boxes really make that much of a difference? They share their food and water dishes without incident.

thanks

posiepurrs

It could be lots of things causing the problem. I would start by isolating them to find out who the culprit is. Then a vet check to be sure it isn't physical. Illness is one of the leading causes of inappropriate elimination. One litterbox for each cat plus one is the general rule although I don't have that many in use at present. Try uncovered boxes as some cats don't like to feel they can be ambushed in a covered one. Try different litters. Keep the boxes spotless. Cats don't care for scented litters usually. There is a litter called Cat Attract that is supposed to be wonderful. It attracts the cat to the litter box so they won't use the floor instead. It sounds as though the cats are marking rather than eliminating. That is a whole different ball game. Easy way to fix this is to just be sure nothing is in reach. If there is a change (new people, stress, change of some sort ) in the home that could cause it, as well as a strange cat outside that they see or smell. It can be tough to figure out if it isn't a physical problem. I hope something here helps. Please don't throw them out. An outside cats life expectancy is less than half of an inside cat. With some detective work you can solve this problem.

JoaneWing

I have 5 persians. I can tell you Binky started going outside the covered litter boxes. So I removed the covers on all of them and he is back to being a perfect gentleman.

I also collected his urine and had it tested at my Vet's office. It was fine. I first needed to rule out any medical issues.

twokatz

Another question that comes to mind is where are the boxes, are they easy to get to? Cats are very funny about litter box issues and there are many things that can cause, health being the first, such as bladder infection.

Sheryl

Lynda, has given great advice, so not a lot more I could add.

If it is a stress related problem ie, a cat outside, or a change in their environment, you could try a Feliway diffuser. One of my cats was very stressed, due to a recent house move, since using the Feliway 24/7 he is now very calm and settled. I know it can also have positive results, with the situation you are facing now.

A vet visit, would also rule out any health issues.
Good luck.

tadaley08

Thank you everyone, I do have 2 new Exchange students living with us now, maybe this could also be upsetting them, I hadn't thought about that being an issue till reading some of your comments. I have added 1 more litter box that is uncovered.
Also there is a black male cat that is always outside(I believe him to be the father of the 7mth old kittens) we are constantly chasing him away because my cats growl and hiss when they see him. he even got into my house when i was gone for 30 min.(a door was left not shut all the way) and killed the momma cats first batch of kittens(4- 1 week old kittens) and we never found any sign of 2. and he killed a black male kitten across the street too shortly after. If he is the stress for my cats how do I fix that he wanders around the neighborhood and my yard all day for them to see. I don't want to have to keep my blinds closed all the time.

JoaneWing

I had a feral cat that stalked my home. I have a 6 foot PVC privacy fence around my property and also my deck is 10 feet up in the air. This cat jumped my fence and ran up the steps of my deck to ATTACK my cats. He would cling to the screen and howl and hiss. I came out one night at midnight and he did NOT back down to me when I tried to chase him. I think he may have even had rabies.

Boo, my oldest silver went crazy. He was scared all day and night from this experience and was very traumatized. The feral kept returning night after night around midnight.

One solution is to call the Animal Control and have them loan you a trap. Once the cat is trapped, you call them and they will remove the trapped cat from your property and take it with them.

This could very well be upsetting your cats. I am sorry that this cat got into your home and killed your kittens. How horrible! No cat like that should be allowed to wander the streets. Is he feral or does he belong to someone. I can assure you any animal that came into my home and killed my cats would have the authorities called immediately and I would be looking for the owner too. This is a sad and tragic story. I am so sorry for your loss.

And yes, new people in your household could be causing the cats to react in a negative way too. Try the Feliway as suggested too. Also Bach Rescue Remedy can calm them down. I have never had to use these products but understand they really work well. Good Luck!

Celeste

You have been given good advise here from all so there isn't anything more I could add except wish you the best of luck in resolving this problem. :smile

If I had to make a decision here I would say the outside cat is the reason for their behaviorial problems unless your fur babies have given you indicators that they are not "people friendly" cats. Example: running for cover when they see someone new or just having a shy timid personality and a sense of insecurity.

JoaneWing

Hi, just wondering. Are you having any luck with solving your problem? I hope so. Please give us an update. Thanks!