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Cats/cats peeing on things

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Expert: - 8/9/2009


Question
My fiance and I recently moved in together, him with a dog and female cat and my two male cats. Everyones fixed. One of my males was peeing on the brand new rug in the room we feed them in, so we monitor them while eating and close the door when done. And he's done so well that way, no marking anywhere. Then we've just started closing our bedroom door at night to keep the cat parade off our bed. The female scratches at the door and the male howls like a feral cat call. Its so strange. Then yesterday on our way out I picked up my purse and someone had soaked it with urine. Like they crawled in in and peed. Then today the blanket on our couch we use everyday and the cushins under it were soaked. So gross. Feels like a personal attack. What shuld I do? The vet said the male was the healthiest cat they'd seen in a while. I am at a loss so sad as I love them but can NOT handle this.

Answer
Megan,

This does sound like a behavioral issue.  Your male cats are probably upset with all the changes that have just taken place.  Cats are creatures of habit and, when things change radically, litter pan habits can go out the window, so to speak.

First, here is a link to a series of excellent articles on feline litter box problems:

http://www.geocities.com/heartland/pointe/9352/litterboxhelp.html


Do you have sufficient litter pans?  Are there litter pans in different parts of the household? Cats can get very territorial about litter pans and the established cat usually wins!!!!!  Is there at least one litter pan with the same type and brand of litter your male cats were used to?

Have you tried a Feliway diffuser (available from most pet supermarkets) where your male cats seem to mark the most?

Have you cleaned up any are or object they have marked with an enzyme based cleaner specifically for pet stains and pet odors (available from most pet supermarkts or farm stores)?

This can be a real problem, but is solvable, if you can get to the root cause.

Best regards... Norm.  

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Norman Auspitz

Expertise

I can answer most non-veterinary questions about cats. My particular expertise is pedigree cats, breeding and showing. However, I am versed in feline behavior, cat breeds and their characteristics, general feline husbandry, and the like.

Experience

I judged for the Canadian Cat Association from 1975 until 1982. I am currently an approved allbreed judge for the Cat Fanciers'' Association (the world''s largets cat registry), and have been judging for them since 1991. I have been breeding pedigreed cats since 1971 and have been exhibiting pedigreed cats in shows since 1970. I obtained my first pedigreed cat in 1970 and have never looked back. In 1971, I obtained my first Abyssinian which has become my primary breed. In addition, I have bred Manx and Persians. Currently, besides the Abyssinians, I am also breeding Maine Coons.


Organizations
Cat Fanciers'' Association, inc. (CFA) and the Manx, Maine Coon, and Abyssinian breed councils. I am currently Abyssinian breed council secretary.

Publications
Cat Fancy Magazine, The Abyssinian Chapter in The Cat Fanciers'' Association Complete Cat Book, and Articles for various editions of The Cat Fanciers'' Association Yearbook

Education/Credentials
I received a B.S. from Drexel University in 1968, a M.Math from University of Waterloo, in 1970, a Ph.D. from University of Waterloo in 1975, and a MBA from McMaster University in 1980. I received my approved allbreed judging status in the Cat Fanciers'' Association in 1999.

Awards and Honors
We have produced a number of Cat Fanciers'' Association (CFA) National winning Abyssinian and Maine Coons. We have produced a number of Abyssinian and Maine Coon Distinguished Merit females (an award for a top producing cat), including the first Distinguished Merit Abyssinian in the red (sorrel) color. I am the CFA Abyssinian breed council secretary and belong and/or hold office in a number of cat clubs. I am also a member of the CFA Judges Association.

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