Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 30, 2015 14:29:02 GMT
We have 2 cats about 7 mos old. They are brothers and both declawed/fixed. They seem like typical cats - not nervous, etc. We have a 2 story house and they are fed and have 2 litter boxes in the basement. DD keeps the litter boxes generally pretty clean - cleaning them usually every other day. The cat boxes appear to be clean this morning (although one is a little low on litter & we are out) but at some point this morning, they jumped on the laundry counter on the main floor and peed on clean clothes (seem to be just on jeans, although I'm going to wash everything that was up there). This is happening not quite 1x week on average, although previously it seemed to me like it was more in spots where they picked up "odors" on something - on dirty laundry that was on the floor, on an older chair and on DS's bed/stuffed animals. We compensated by not having a dirty laundry pile on the floor and keeping DS's bdrm door closed. I am getting really fed up that it has now moved on to clean clothes (happened 1st time in clean clothes 2 weekends ago and to my knowledge, I haven't caught them peeing on anything else since then)! So, give me opinions - is it an issue of the litter boxes not being meticulously clean or that the boxes are only in the basement (ya, they strike me as lazy cats that would prob pee wherever instead of going downstairs  ) or can there be "if they feel like it" behavior for some cats? I didn't want to have litter boxes on the main or upper floor if I could help it since there isn't a good place for them, although the house is pretty big (5bdrm/4bath size). I've never had a problem before with having the litterbox in the basement only. FWIW, I've had cats my whole life, with the exception of the past 8 years. I love them, but really wish I wouldn't have caved 'cuz now I'm attached but really hate this. |
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~Susan~
Pearl Clutcher
You need to check your boobs, mine tried to kill me!!!
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Jul 6, 2014 17:25:32 GMT
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Post by ~Susan~ on Jan 30, 2015 14:48:27 GMT
I had a cat many moons ago that would do this and I found out that she either had a kidney problem or bladder problem. I can't remember exactly what it was, but I do remember that I had to buy her special food to clear it up.
Hopefully, someone here can give you some better info.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 30, 2015 14:58:00 GMT
try cleaning the boxes every day instead of every other. You may have a picky one that doesn't like if the box is too dirty to his liking. Have you changed litter recently? sometimes they don't like that either. Also I've heard that they don't like to eat where they go to the bathroom so you may want to move the food to another area. Even though yours are fixed, it may not completely stop the "marking" the territory issue. I hope you can figure it out soon!!!
With all that being said, I had a cat who was fixed who decided to pee all over the house. It started small on clean laundry and moved throughout the house. We had him checked by the vet and he was as healthy as can be. We ended up having to get rid of him because it became a huge ongoing issues. I tried for 6 months to stop the behavior and every trick in the book I could think of. When he decided to mark his territory on the kitchen counter by our bread it was time for him to go sadly. I am heartbroken over it! he was my cat and I was extremely attached to him. But I run a daycare out of my house and I couldn't have babies crawling on my floor fearing they would crawl in cat pee.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 30, 2015 16:41:09 GMT
Yeah, we'll have to start cleaning every day, no exceptions. They had clean health when they had their last visit, although mentioning bladder issues make me wonder if switching food would help. We started on Iams and switched to a high end Purina at some point. Maybe we'll try going back. I'm just worried this is just a "thing" with some cats.  Besides that, I don't know which of them is doing it for sure. Thanks for the input! |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 30, 2015 16:53:25 GMT
Start with clean litter box every day. I would take them to the vet,too. That being said though, my experiences with cats and this problem has not been good. I tried everything I could find and took the advice of everybody who had advice, and it never went away.
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Nink
Pearl Clutcher
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Location: North Idaho
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Post by Nink on Jan 30, 2015 17:02:01 GMT
I volunteer at my local shelter and the majority of cats surrendered for not going in their box have been declawed. Often times scratching in the litter causing pain on their declawed feet. Not trying to start a whole declaw debate, but something to consider.
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georgiapea
Drama Llama
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Post by georgiapea on Jan 30, 2015 17:02:45 GMT
I don't know the answer to the problem but I have a cat locked in a cat cage in the basement for that same action. Day 1 he pooped on our bed. Day 2, am he peed on our bed. Day 2, afternoon, he pooped right in the middle of a sweatshirt I'd laid on the bed. He will be there for 30 days. As for litter pans we have 2, 1 on each level of the house, plus he has access to outside. We scoop the litter each time it's used. I took his actions as defiance. Hopefully his time in 'purgatory' will be enough that the offensive behavior will not be repeated.
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Post by crimsoncat05 on Jan 30, 2015 17:17:08 GMT
is it only one of them, or both?? Either way, it could possibly be bladder issues-- one of our cats (female) had bladder stones and was peeing outside the litter box because in her pea-brain, it hurt when she peed IN the litter box, therefore she should find somewhere outside to go, where it would maybe hurt less. We took way too long to figure out what was going on; it took until there was blood in the urine for me to figure out it wasn't just a behavior issue but a health issue. She ended up having surgery and the bladder stones they removed were like shards of glass-- poor kitty!! I had no idea they could be that bad. I know that male cats are more susceptible to bladder issues than female cats; possibly try switching the food (ask your vet for a recommendation). I know sometimes, too, cats can do things like this in a really obvious place as a, "hey, people, there's something going on with me that I want you to know about!!" type of thing, so georgiapea, I wouldn't rule out some sort of health issue with your cat, either. |
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scrappington
Pearl Clutcher
in Canada
Posts: 3,139
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Post by scrappington on Jan 30, 2015 17:26:48 GMT
Is the cat mad for some reason. a friend of mine has a cat who is quite emotional. As in he doesn't come home one night the cat will pee or poop in his bed cause he is mad. etc
Problem with having 2 cats, you don't know who is doing it unless you catch them.
Does one of them smell, as in smell like urine, that could be the one that could be not well and peeing where ever.
It might be a dominant thing because they are both males.
I hope its something you can fix because no one likes cat pee.
I had it happen twice to me, only because he got locked in our bedroom before we went to work. shockingly he couldn't hold his bladder for 11 hours couldn't really blame him.
and he picked my side too!!! yay me.
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Post by sisterbdsq on Jan 30, 2015 17:33:56 GMT
I don't know the answer to the problem but I have a cat locked in a cat cage in the basement for that same action. Day 1 he pooped on our bed. Day 2, am he peed on our bed. Day 2, afternoon, he pooped right in the middle of a sweatshirt I'd laid on the bed. He will be there for 30 days. As for litter pans we have 2, 1 on each level of the house, plus he has access to outside. We scoop the litter each time it's used. I took his actions as defiance. Hopefully his time in 'purgatory' will be enough that the offensive behavior will not be repeated. You locked a cat for a month in a cage in the basement. What the fuck is wrong with you? Do you realize that a cat does not understand what is going on? Please post your address so someone can come get this cat from you. |
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Post by SnowWhite on Jan 30, 2015 18:14:23 GMT
I don't know the answer to the problem but I have a cat locked in a cat cage in the basement for that same action. Day 1 he pooped on our bed. Day 2, am he peed on our bed. Day 2, afternoon, he pooped right in the middle of a sweatshirt I'd laid on the bed. He will be there for 30 days. As for litter pans we have 2, 1 on each level of the house, plus he has access to outside. We scoop the litter each time it's used. I took his actions as defiance. Hopefully his time in 'purgatory' will be enough that the offensive behavior will not be repeated. You locked a cat for a month in a cage in the basement. What the fuck is wrong with you? Do you realize that a cat does not understand what is going on? Please post your address so someone can come get this cat from you. ^^ That. No wonder your cat poops on your stuff, you're an asshole pet owner. As for the OP, while I agree cleaning the litter boxes daily is in order, you may also need an additional litter box somewhere other than the basement. Maybe one closest to where your cats are inappropriately eliminating. |
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georgiapea
Drama Llama
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Post by georgiapea on Jan 30, 2015 18:19:12 GMT
Oh, good grief, some of you people are so stupid. Many people raise cats in cages. Do you even know what a cat cage looks like?
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Post by momof3pits on Jan 30, 2015 18:21:11 GMT
I volunteer at my local shelter and the majority of cats surrendered for not going in their box have been declawed. Often times scratching in the litter causing pain on their declawed feet. Not trying to start a whole declaw debate, but something to consider. I find your whole post sad. Thank you for volunteering at the shelter. I really hate when people abandon an animal they have committed to for a behavioral issue short of aggression that cannot be changed with behaviorial or medical intervention. I also didn't know until reading it here that you really shouldn't declaw your cats. DH is allergic so I've never owned one. Fingers crossed that you can get something figured out for your kitties, OP. I don't really have experience or insight on cats, but didn't want to read and run! |
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Post by ingrid6 on Jan 30, 2015 18:23:03 GMT
I don't know the answer to the problem but I have a cat locked in a cat cage in the basement for that same action. Day 1 he pooped on our bed. Day 2, am he peed on our bed. Day 2, afternoon, he pooped right in the middle of a sweatshirt I'd laid on the bed. He will be there for 30 days. As for litter pans we have 2, 1 on each level of the house, plus he has access to outside. We scoop the litter each time it's used. I took his actions as defiance. Hopefully his time in 'purgatory' will be enough that the offensive behavior will not be repeated. I can not imagine locking one of our pets up for 30 days as punishment for being "defiant" - that's just plain nuts. You honestly think that the cat is going to reason out why he's locked up? "Gee, I'm doing 30 days in a basement, in 'purgatory' because I pooped and peed where I shouldn't have - next time I'll think twice about that one"... Let me know how that works out for him - poor cat! |
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Post by momof3pits on Jan 30, 2015 18:24:05 GMT
I don't know the answer to the problem but I have a cat locked in a cat cage in the basement for that same action. Day 1 he pooped on our bed. Day 2, am he peed on our bed. Day 2, afternoon, he pooped right in the middle of a sweatshirt I'd laid on the bed. He will be there for 30 days. As for litter pans we have 2, 1 on each level of the house, plus he has access to outside. We scoop the litter each time it's used. I took his actions as defiance. Hopefully his time in 'purgatory' will be enough that the offensive behavior will not be repeated. You locked a cat for a month in a cage in the basement. What the fuck is wrong with you? Do you realize that a cat does not understand what is going on? Please post your address so someone can come get this cat from you. I know I shouldn't laugh, but geogiapea's post actually struck me as funny. Only in theory thinking of her cat having to go to jail for 30 days to think about his actions. In reality, no I don't know what a cat cage is, but I'm guessing the cat really can't connect the dots to bad behavior and the cat cage? I know that I've always read to not use a crate/cage/kennel as a timeout of punishment. ETA: for the record, I don't find the situation funny at all in reality. I am a very loving and responsible pet owner!  |
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Post by Zee on Jan 30, 2015 18:24:20 GMT
No one raises cats in a cage, unless they're just using them as kitten machines.
A cat doesn't know that he's spending 30 days locked in the basement for "defiance". I can't believe I'm reading this.
For the good of all concerned, give that cat up immediately and stick to possums.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 30, 2015 18:26:15 GMT
Can you put a litter box on each floor of the house? I think I would try that.
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Post by ingrid6 on Jan 30, 2015 18:26:21 GMT
Oh, good grief, some of you people are so stupid. Many people raise cats in cages. Do you even know what a cat cage looks like? I must be in the minority because I know many, many cat owners and I do not know anyone that raises their cat in a cage. OP, I'm sorry that you're having trouble with the cats peeing on the clothes. That must be very frustrating. Good luck finding a solution |
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Post by Zee on Jan 30, 2015 18:29:27 GMT
To the OP: I'm sorry you're dealing with this...it can be very tough to eliminate these behaviours once they start. I'd say you're going to have to keep all clothes in a lidded hamper, put clean clothes away immediately or at least put them where they can't be accessed by the cats, and put a box in the laundry room and keep it cleaned every day. If you do this immediately you might be able to stop the behaviours. Probably one did it and then the other started to add his scent to the mix. Please don't declaw any cats in the future (if they didn't come to you this way). |
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Post by momof3pits on Jan 30, 2015 18:33:05 GMT
To the OP: I'm sorry you're dealing with this...it can be very tough to eliminate these behaviours once they start. I'd say you're going to have to keep all clothes in a lidded hamper, put clean clothes away immediately or at least put them where they can't be accessed by the cats, and put a box in the laundry room and keep it cleaned every day. If you do this immediately you might be able to stop the behaviours. Probably one did it and then the other started to add his scent to the mix. Please don't declaw any cats in the future (if they didn't come to you this way). Probably the best advice! Our pets can't get into stuff if there is nothing to get into! |
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Post by Yubon Peatlejuice on Jan 30, 2015 18:35:09 GMT
I don't know the answer to the problem but I have a cat locked in a cat cage in the basement for that same action. Day 1 he pooped on our bed. Day 2, am he peed on our bed. Day 2, afternoon, he pooped right in the middle of a sweatshirt I'd laid on the bed. He will be there for 30 days. As for litter pans we have 2, 1 on each level of the house, plus he has access to outside. We scoop the litter each time it's used. I took his actions as defiance. Hopefully his time in 'purgatory' will be enough that the offensive behavior will not be repeated. Holy shit |
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smartypants71
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,710
Location: Houston, TX
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Post by smartypants71 on Jan 30, 2015 18:35:40 GMT
Oh, good grief, some of you people are so stupid. Many people raise cats in cages. Do you even know what a cat cage looks like? In all my 43 years, I've never heard of anyone locking a cat in a cage as punishment. And no, I'm not stupid. As for the OP, I don't really have any advice. I have one cat and a 3 story home with the litter box only on the 1st floor. He does just fine so not sure if that is your issue. I do feel for you though. I accidentally locked mine in my room the other day, so he picked a pile of brand new clothes (with tags still on) that I had laid out on my bed to pee on. I know it wasn't his fault, but WHY couldn't he have picked a bathroom rug or something? LOL! |
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raindancer
Pearl Clutcher
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Post by raindancer on Jan 30, 2015 18:38:24 GMT
My 18 year old cat does this every time he gets bent out of shape for some offence against him. He is a cat. I'm never quite sure what offence I have committed, but that's because clearly I am a stupid member of the human race. Sometimes you just have to teach us a lesson by creating extra work. I find immediate wash, hot water, oxyclean and soaking, twice, gets the odor out.
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Deleted
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May 17, 2024 9:25:24 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jan 30, 2015 18:38:28 GMT
I volunteer at my local shelter and the majority of cats surrendered for not going in their box have been declawed. Often times scratching in the litter causing pain on their declawed feet. Not trying to start a whole declaw debate, but something to consider. I find your whole post sad. Thank you for volunteering at the shelter. I really hate when people abandon an animal they have committed to for a behavioral issue short of aggression that cannot be changed with behaviorial or medical intervention. I also didn't know until reading it here that you really shouldn't declaw your cats. DH is allergic so I've never owned one. Fingers crossed that you can get something figured out for your kitties, OP. I don't really have experience or insight on cats, but didn't want to read and run! Honestly you think I should have kept a cat that was peeing on my food? Peeing in the baby's pack and play. I dealt with it for months, I took him to the vet, I tried every trick out there I had litter boxes in every area of my house I thought he was using and guess what, he just went somewhere else. While I believe in taking in a pet for life, I also was about to lose my income over it as parents were threatening to pull their children..and honstly I can't blame them! and then neither he, nor my family would have a place to live. Would you want to bring you young children to a house that smells of cat pee? would you want your children coming home smelling of cat pee? I was in a lose lose situation. I didn't take him to the SPCA, I didn't take him to a rescue, but I gave him to a very good friend who is able to spend more time with him trying to figure out what was going on with him in his little head. He was NOT declawed and he was neutered. What choices does a person in this situation have? I have a son with asthma who was constantly having asthma attacks because the cat peed in his room every chance he got. I had no choice! |
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scorpeao
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,521
Location: NorCal USA
Jun 25, 2014 21:04:54 GMT
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Post by scorpeao on Jan 30, 2015 18:40:41 GMT
I don't know the answer to the problem but I have a cat locked in a cat cage in the basement for that same action. Day 1 he pooped on our bed. Day 2, am he peed on our bed. Day 2, afternoon, he pooped right in the middle of a sweatshirt I'd laid on the bed. He will be there for 30 days. As for litter pans we have 2, 1 on each level of the house, plus he has access to outside. We scoop the litter each time it's used. I took his actions as defiance. Hopefully his time in 'purgatory' will be enough that the offensive behavior will not be repeated. I actually worked for a vet who was also a volunteer at the spca. She once gave me advice about a cat I was thinking of adopting and she said get a dog crate, lock the cat in the the crate in the garage for a few weeks until it's doesn't spray anymore, take it to get neutered and then allow it into your house. So, this type of treatment is recommended by vets. OP some cats are just assholes. I have one of them. If another cat even sniffs my front door my cat starts marking the area. I had a cat that refused to use the litter box...ever! She was an outdoor only cat. One thing I can't deal with is the smell of cat urine. |
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Post by momof3pits on Jan 30, 2015 18:40:35 GMT
I find your whole post sad. Thank you for volunteering at the shelter. I really hate when people abandon an animal they have committed to for a behavioral issue short of aggression that cannot be changed with behaviorial or medical intervention. I also didn't know until reading it here that you really shouldn't declaw your cats. DH is allergic so I've never owned one. Fingers crossed that you can get something figured out for your kitties, OP. I don't really have experience or insight on cats, but didn't want to read and run! Honestly you think I should have kept a cat that was peeing on my food? Peeing in the baby's pack and play. I dealt with it for months, I took him to the vet, I tried every trick out there I had litter boxes in every area of my house I thought he was using and guess what, he just went somewhere else. While I believe in taking in a pet for life, I also was about to lose my income over it as parents were threatening to pull their children..and honstly I can't blame them! and then neither he, nor my family would have a place to live. Would you want to bring you young children to a house that smells of cat pee? would you want your children coming home smelling of cat pee? I was in a lose lose situation. I didn't take him to the SPCA, I didn't take him to a rescue, but I gave him to a very good friend who is able to spend more time with him trying to figure out what was going on with him in his little head. He was NOT declawed and he was neutered. What choices does a person in this situation have? I have a son with asthma who was constantly having asthma attacks because the cat peed in his room every chance he got. I had no choice! You have to do what you feel is right in your situation. I'm glad your friend was able to give him a good home and work with him. Was she able to figure out what was going on and correct the behavior? |
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Post by heather on Jan 30, 2015 18:42:59 GMT
Vinegar gets the smell out too. I have an old ancient cat that has decided she's done with litter boxes. She goes right next to the litter box instead. But if the kids leave clothes on floor, she'll pee on the clothes instead.
Vet said that her arthritis might be the the reason she refuses to use the box. So I plopped down $40 for a box with a ramp to make it easier on her. I got the 'Bitch, please' look from her. Still pees next to the $40 litter box with a ramp.
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Post by SnowWhite on Jan 30, 2015 18:43:13 GMT
I don't know the answer to the problem but I have a cat locked in a cat cage in the basement for that same action. Day 1 he pooped on our bed. Day 2, am he peed on our bed. Day 2, afternoon, he pooped right in the middle of a sweatshirt I'd laid on the bed. He will be there for 30 days. As for litter pans we have 2, 1 on each level of the house, plus he has access to outside. We scoop the litter each time it's used. I took his actions as defiance. Hopefully his time in 'purgatory' will be enough that the offensive behavior will not be repeated. I actually worked for a vet who was also a volunteer at the spca. She once gave me advice about a cat I was thinking of adopting and she said get a dog crate, lock the cat in the the crate in the garage for a few weeks until it's doesn't spray anymore, take it to get neutered and then allow it into your house. So, this type of treatment is recommended by vets. That type of 'training' may be recommended by ONE vet (who may or may not be an asshole pet owner), that does not mean it's a widespread recommendation. |
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Post by Zee on Jan 30, 2015 18:43:16 GMT
I find your whole post sad. Thank you for volunteering at the shelter. I really hate when people abandon an animal they have committed to for a behavioral issue short of aggression that cannot be changed with behaviorial or medical intervention. I also didn't know until reading it here that you really shouldn't declaw your cats. DH is allergic so I've never owned one. Fingers crossed that you can get something figured out for your kitties, OP. I don't really have experience or insight on cats, but didn't want to read and run! Honestly you think I should have kept a cat that was peeing on my food? Peeing in the baby's pack and play. I dealt with it for months, I took him to the vet, I tried every trick out there I had litter boxes in every area of my house I thought he was using and guess what, he just went somewhere else. While I believe in taking in a pet for life, I also was about to lose my income over it as parents were threatening to pull their children..and honstly I can't blame them! and then neither he, nor my family would have a place to live. Would you want to bring you young children to a house that smells of cat pee? would you want your children coming home smelling of cat pee? I was in a lose lose situation. I didn't take him to the SPCA, I didn't take him to a rescue, but I gave him to a very good friend who is able to spend more time with him trying to figure out what was going on with him in his little head. He was NOT declawed and he was neutered. What choices does a person in this situation have? I have a son with asthma who was constantly having asthma attacks because the cat peed in his room every chance he got. I had no choice! Was anyone attacking you? You obviously made a responsible choice by rehoming him. Thanks for not locking him in a cage in the basement. I'm getting more and more pissed just thinking about that. |
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scorpeao
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,521
Location: NorCal USA
Jun 25, 2014 21:04:54 GMT
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Post by scorpeao on Jan 30, 2015 18:44:19 GMT
I actually worked for a vet who was also a volunteer at the spca. She once gave me advice about a cat I was thinking of adopting and she said get a dog crate, lock the cat in the the crate in the garage for a few weeks until it's doesn't spray anymore, take it to get neutered and then allow it into your house. So, this type of treatment is recommended by vets. That type of 'training' may be recommended by ONE vet (who may or may not be an asshole pet owner), that does not mean it's a widespread recommendation. I don't know...a vet who volunteers her services at the spca can't be much of an asshole. |
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) or can there be "if they feel like it" behavior for some cats? I didn't want to have litter boxes on the main or upper floor if I could help it since there isn't a good place for them, although the house is pretty big (5bdrm/4bath size). I've never had a problem before with having the litterbox in the basement only.
Besides that, I don't know which of them is doing it for sure. 
