Cats peeing EVERYWHERE - Help before we give them away!

I can't figure this one out. We have 3 cats and 1 dog. Our 2 newest cats (little over a year -1 male, 1 female) pee everywhere. We bought a new home, new furniture, new etc...and they've pretty much ruined them. The litter box stays cleaned. They will pull things off shelves just to pee on them. They pee on sofas, blankets, pull down clothes just to pee on them, etc... My wife and I are [--] this close to giving up on them, as my house is not a really expensive litter box. Is there any suggestions out there? The Humane Society doesn't guarantee any kind of "we won't put them down", so we aren't going to do that.

Please help.

 

My first suggestion would be to take them to the vet and have them checked for urinary tract issues. Those are very possible and can cause these sort of issues.

Barring that, I would definitely look into getting some sort of repellant spray to try, and perhaps even keeping them in one specific room that is theirs' only. These are just ideas off the top of my head.

You don't mention how long ago you moved into your new home, how old the cats are (are they a year old?) The more information we have the better able we are to try to figure out what the reasons behind their behaviours are...

I may have more ideas or suggestions, if you can give more details and information about the house, move, age, etc, and are the cats spayed/neutered?

 

RhainyC

Thanks for the late night reply...
My wife actually got them after we bought our new home as kittens. They haven't been spayed/neutered yet...I don't think (can't remember this late). They are a little over a year old. There were not any animals in the house prior. We feed them dry cat food with urinary tract protection.

Any other thoughts is definitely welcomed!

thanks
matt

 

I had a female once that did that and I can surely sympothize...mine ruined two rooms right down to the underlayment of the floor. We weren't sure what to do and wouldn't consider giving her away for fear if she did it with her new owners they might beat her....or worse. My daughter decided to give her a try in her home and she never had a problem. My house had one other cat (brother) and a dog. Sly (the female), according to my daughter, was a fanatic about her litter box in her new home and would even sleep next to it. Change the litter and she would break it in right away!! Anyway, we tried the repellant sprays and all and nothing worked except to change her location....I think she just couldn't handle another cat....my daughter has a dog but it didn't seem to bother Sly. Sly lived with my daughter for ten years without an issue but, unfortunately, had to be put down last Saturday at age 12 due to cancer. She will be sorely missed but at least her "problem" was cured by a change of homes/owners. My vet told me some animals, particularly cats, are insecure and pee everywhere to make their presense known. Good luck and I hope all turns out well.

 

Do they each have there own litter box ?? Sometimes cats wont share a litter box.

 

Cats could also be competing for territory, as cats tend to be territorial. Failure to use litter box is often a problem in multi-cat households due to territory disputes.

Until pets are potty trained, it is best not to let them have the run of the house. If not trained, urinating in the house becomes an established habit. When not at home, it is best to place cats in a room with a non-porous floor. Do not place litterbox near food or water, as they tend not to want to use the box where they eat and sleep. Multi-cat households tend to work best if there are multiple litter boxes.

Until cats are trained, provide food and water at regular times. They tend to eliminate after eating, waking, and exercising. Take each cat to a litter box multiple times a day to play. Scratch the litter with your fingers to get them interested. Encourage them to jump inside. Provide a treat each time they do. Take cats to litter box after eating, waking, and exercising. Reward them if they use the litter box. And, keep the litter boxes clean.

Kennels are effective for confining cats. Place each cat in its own kennel if you are not present to supervise their play and exercise. Litter box can be placed in kennel as can food and water. When cats are free, supervise closely and spray with water the moment they display inappropriate behavior.

It is important to thoroughly clean all affected areas with an enzyme digester cleaner as pets tend to return to the scenes of their crimes. You will not be able to clean carpet cushion or upholstery padding.

 

Spaying and neutering can also be helpful. It's very important to get this done as unaltered cats and dogs are often more into marking their territory.

Newt

 

I had to ask my wife as I forgot...yep....both cats are "fixed".

 

I have to agree with Twelvepole, and add a bit here...

There are awesome Play Cages for cats that can be had as well, and they can be a godsend with this sort of thing.

Stopping this from becoming habit is of utmost importance as has been mention...once the habit is established, it is terribly hard to break, but not impossible usually.

Twelvepole's comments about cleaning up the areas urinated on is really excellent. I use enzyme type cleaners for ALL animal accidents. You need to be sure you follow the directions, and fully saturate the area with the cleaner, so that it can do the work. Once the cleaner has digested and fully dried, I also use a small hand held carpet cleaner with *odor control* shampoo, to clean the area a couple of days later.

Oftentimes as mentioned, the cats are doing this as a pecking order/territorial thing. This will soon mellow out once they establish top cat and so forth.

A well known and loved method of discipline I have used for years is a Professional type (with the bearings and that stays primed) spray bottle, filled with plain old water. Keep it handy and set to *Stream* spray. If you see the cat begin to squat, spray them directly in the head/face if at all possible. It works. This is actually how I have stopped many an unaltered cat from spraying, and many others from urinating where they should not be.

Hope this helps and please keep us posted.