Cat problem. :-(

13 years ago

I thought Rocky's introduction to the three indoor cats was going pretty well. Even Annie (a.k.a. Annie the Mean) didn't seem to badly bent out of shape--at first. But then she started stalking him and making nasty noises. And now something worse: Annie (I'm pretty certain) has been peeing around the house at night. I strongly suspect Annie because she did this last year, several times, for no apparent reason.

I have Nature's Miracle, and I've been using it (often with several applications) on various floors and surfaces. This morning I found the situation going from bad to worse. I was all set to iron a pair of pants I hemmed yesterday, intending to wear them to a wake today, when I smelled cat urine. Yes, there was a stain on the pants. So I looked at the dining chair where IÃ¢ÂÂd folded them last night, and there were puddles on the chair, on the table, on my rug hooking cutter, and on a notebook I was writing in last night. AND a linen jacket and top IÃ¢ÂÂd also laundered last night are soaked. Disgusting.

My house is probably reeking by now. I feel like IÃ¢ÂÂve HAD it, but I donÃ¢ÂÂt know what to do about it.

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Comments (27)

chloecat
13 years ago
First, buy the feliway plug ins. And then take her to the vet. She may have a UTI, but I'm betting it's strictly behavioral.

The Feliway stuff is GREAT - like air infused with kitty Prozac...

Here is a link that might be useful: Feliway
Tally
13 years ago
Google Prozac and cat behavioral problems. It stopped Gizmo cold when he started peeing after we brought Duffy in. We never had much luck with Feliway. We also tried Buspar and Elavil. Nothing worked like Prozac.

Seriously, do some research and talk to your vet about it.

Edited to add: Good luck! We had a similar problem with Gizmo who developed issues after Duffy came inside. I totally understand where you're coming from. Research the Prozac.

Here is a link that might be useful: Prozac Cats Urinating

This post was edited by tally on Fri, Apr 26, 13 at 9:36
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lydia1959
13 years ago
It sounds like Annie is marking her territory. I'd try some of the "Cat Attract" litter (got very good reviews at Amazon for cats urinating places other than the box) and keep the cats in different areas of the house for awhile, then try reintroducing them.

Good luck!

Here is a link that might be useful: Cat Attract reviews
chisue
13 years ago
I know this won't make me popular around here but...why do you feel responsible for all of these stray animals?
ruthieg__tx
13 years ago
Alisande ...I thought I had posted but I guess I didn't..I think you know what you need to do and just can't face it....I don't believe the situation is working out...Annie is not accepting Rocky...maybe you should make contact the people who agreed to take Rocky originally and tell them that your cats refuse to accept him and you don't want him to have to live under those conditions....see if they will take him as originally planned...don't put yourself through the stress...
susanjf_gw
13 years ago
oh chisue i can answer that...i know how difficult it is to have multiple cats and am down to one.kitty..and she's my last...but everytime i have had a major happening in my life, they were there in ways that no human could have been... i was never "allowed" a pet as a child (all apt living the entire time i grew up) so maybe that's why the minute i moved out i had a cat...in fact 2 of mine went from first hub, to divorce, remarriage and 4 kids...my present kitty has been thru breast cancer, hyst, chemo, and radiation with me...when dh was at work, she and her brother were my constant company...
i do understand your question...goodness knows i've heard it often enough for the past 40+ years, lol...guess you can say it's a cat/person thing?
lisa_fla
13 years ago
I don't think its time to give up on the situation. Things usually work themselves out. Rule out any UTI issues, and follow up with feliway or something stronger. The vet will guide you.
suzieque
13 years ago
I 2nd the Feliway suggestion. It has worked wonders in my household. I use the plugins.

Chisue, some people are pet people and some aren't. Those who are absolutely cannot explain it to non-pet people. It just wouldn't be understood.

And, by the way, I absolutely agree that it's too soon to give up. There are solutions.
ravencajun Zone 8b TX
13 years ago
are you still using the same litter box if so add more litter boxes, that can often help the situation. I agree with first check out UTI with vet it could be a coincidence that it is happening now. If health is okay try isolating Annie in a room with her own litter box. Keep her totally separate from the others, in time out so she understands she is being punished. Plus it will limit where she pees.
alisande
Original Author
13 years ago
Thank you for the suggestions.

They have a new (bigger, covered) litter box along with their old one upstairs. Maybe I'll uncover it for a few days.

I think what I'll do is isolate Annie at night to make sure she's the culprit. I'll be amazed if she's not . . . she's always been difficult, and dislikes all cats. I think she suffered some brain damage following a near-fatal bout with liver disease seven years ago. Once I've determined for sure that Annie is responsible, I'll call the vet and ask about one or more of your recommendations.

Incidentally, my granddaughter's friend--the one who was prepared to take Rocky--has adopted a sweet male cat from the shelter.
YogaLady1948
13 years ago
We had that problem with our boy kitty and he was the new one~~~he peed/pooped in our sinks GRR! We had an ole girl cat that never paid much attention to him. He was rescued by my son in the parking lot of the UPS center he worked at~~left behind by his mom, only a few days old. DS and his GF carried him everywhere with them and feed him from a bottle. When he got old enough he came to our house, not our choice.

We had to cover all the sinks or put upside down bowls in them. I used Good Cat, I bought at Pet Co~~you put it in their water to calm them down, it seemed to work, I have used it a couple of other times when he got kinda crazy.
You can also get Rescue Cat at health stores. It does not bother the other cats to have it also~~we also used 2 litter boes downstairs and kept one upstairs til he broke his habit~~

I will admit it to a lot of patience to work with him, our girl is gone now. When we go on vacation we still cover all the sinks;) Just in case, but we have had no problem~
chisue
13 years ago
You know, I *am* a pet lover. We've loved and mourned three Westies in our nearly 50 years of marriage. Our third dog lived to nearly 17, deaf and blind for the last years. We have a Rescue Westie now who is going deaf.

I'm jus' sayin'... when being 'Rescue Lady' is making you nuts, maybe it's time to refocus. It doesn't make you a Bad Person to devote less time to stray cats.
User
13 years ago
I'm sure it's your Annie. I have an Annie too who looks JUST like yours, identical, and she has a mean streak too. No explanation since she's been in my house since she was two weeks old with her mother who is a sweetheart. Cats are weird and don't like change. ..I have never used Feliway or Prozac but hear both work. Don't get rid of your new sweet boy. It will all work out in the end. I would isolate Annie in a room with her food and litter box. It may seem cruel but I've dealt with what you're going thru years ago and it's not fun. That cat, Maddie , died and I really wasn't that sad about it since she always was a pee-er.It's frustrating as hell, I know. My four have their pecking order and that's what needs to be established at your house which it will over time. Don't get rid of sweet Rocky over something which isn't his fault. You DO have my sympathy though.
alisande
Original Author
13 years ago
Don't worry--getting rid of Rocky was never an option.

Chisue, maybe if the stray cats were stray Westies you'd understand. ;-)
User
13 years ago
BTW..They recommend one litter box per cat plus one. I have a big one upstairs and six in basement just to cover the bases,
alisande
Original Author
13 years ago
Good point. I bought two new ones when Rocky arrived, but thought I could get away without using them both because I clean the downstairs one several times a day. It's in a handy location. I used to have three in the basement, but they were too far out of sight. I never go down to the dungeon unless I really have to.
User
13 years ago
I feel for you. We had a similar situation a while back and it was super frustrating. What we ended up doing was confine the culprit to my office at night. She now voluntarily stays in there all the time and has stopped all inappropriate elimination.
User
13 years ago
Susan..I had to laugh when you say you don't go down to your dungeon where the litter boxes were. Since we both have old houses ,I have a dungeon as well and was just down there a few minutes ago because we're getting a new gas furnace. I told the guy this is only the second time I've been down there this year. My husband does their litter boxes, I do the upstairs one and all the feeding, watering, and walking the dogs. Good trade, I'd say.

I think isolating Annie for awhile especially at night will ultimately work.
sylviatexas1
13 years ago
I dunno...
Since it seemed that she was accepting him & *then* this started, I'd get her medical condition checked before I went any further.

Although cats can punish you by peeing on things, peeing on *everything* sounds like real distress.

I wish you the best.
alisande
Original Author
13 years ago
Annie does have a history of marking her territory, even when the reason isn't obvious. The first time this happened, I assumed it was Pogo, the only male at the time. Poor guy....I took him to the vet, who didn't find anything wrong but gave him antibiotics and recommended a special food he didn't like. Then one day I caught Annie in the act.

BUT now I'm thinking the new covered litter box might have been a big contributing factor. The front has a swinging cat door. I saw Rocky navigate it with no problem, and figured the other cats would follow his lead. I should have thought it through and made sure I actually saw them using it. The cover is now off, and I put Annie in there a couple of times. Of course she jumped right out, but I think she got the message. I'll do the same with the others.
User
13 years ago
Again, cats HATE change, little dictators that they are...lol
susanjf_gw
13 years ago
and now poor ashley has to on another trip to fil's yuck! 5+ hour drive...she's been pretty good the last 2 trips...there are some times i wish we had a motorhome, so the 3 of us had our own space there...i'm not on his best friend list, lol...
User
13 years ago
We just found out starting this weekend, we are going to have to babysit our 3 grandkitties for 3 weeks, yikes. That is not going to go over well with ours, I am sure.
chisue
13 years ago
Nope. Wouldn't matter what the strays were. I know my limit: One small dog (must fit in laundry tub).

Good luck. I just don't want you to feel bad if this doesn't work out. We don't want to read about you in the news -- "Police and Animal Welfare Services today removed an army of cats from a local home, responding to a call for help originating from the home's dungeon." LOL
alisande
Original Author
13 years ago
If my cell phone worked in the dungeon, that might be a possibility! LOL
diane_sw_mich
13 years ago
Have you ever watched "My cat from Hell" on Animal Planet? There's a cat behaviorist, Jackson that I love watching him working with the cats. He has tips that may help you, also watching the show may help, if you're interested. Yesterday a show was on that dealt with a problem like yours. I'm including a link to Jackson's tips. Hope something works for you! I just noticed they were videos, tho.
Diane

Here is a link that might be useful: Jackson's cat tips
alisande
Original Author
13 years ago
Thanks, Diane. I don't have cable, so I've never seen the show. I posted an update on my problem (now solved!), but I'll definitely check out the link. You never know when you might learn something!

Cat problem. :-(

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