Expert: Karen Craft - 11/21/2010

Question
I am going to begin by saying that i have two cats which i am deeply attached
to, micro and gidget. I love my babys, they are two years old and brothers.
When the are not sleeping or being pet by me, they find ways to slowly drive
me crazy. sometimes when i am sleeping, micro will pee on my bed. i am
forced to put my blankets away everyday when i go to work in fear i will come
home to a soiled bed. I make sure they always have a clean box, and food and
water, and toys... they are a little spoiled besides the fact that they have to
stay locked in my room when im not home so the dont destroy my roomates
belonging. Now, they have taken to chewing my computer and phone
chargers. apple products are not cheap.. if an article of clothing is on the
ground, i expect it to be peed on.  I am about to move in with my boyfriend
and he refuses to live with cats. more of a dog guy i guess, but this means i
am forced to rehome my kittys. none of my friends will take them because
they know of there history with making my life miserable at times. i can never
stay mad at the meow meows for long, but i fear if i rehome them, the new
owners will not have the patience that i have had over the last couple years.
please help me, i dont know what to do!!!! there is no one i know and i dont
have the heart to take them to a shelter, thanks for any advice.  

Answer
Hi Beth,

First off I would take a second look at the guy your moving in with. Ultimatums already in the beginning of a relationship are a bad sign and a sign of things to come.

Now onto the cats. First get them to the vet to be checked out. They could have an Urinary Tract Infection. After your vet clears them here is what you will need to buy and use.

Get one of these. This is great in a multi cat household.

http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=petmate+giant+litter+pan&rls=com.micros...

Then fill it with a 40# box of scoopable litter. Use a bag of this also.
http://www.preciouscat.com/

And you might want to get one of these too.

http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=durascoop+litter+scoop&hl=en&rls=com.mi...

Also get some Feliway Comfort Zone. Use it to destress your cats. A happy cat has no problem using the box.

I think that will take care of your problem. I also recommend cleaning all the areas they have used with this stuff.

http://www.google.com/search?q=simple+solution+home+stain+and+odor+remover&hl=en...

I find this works the best,(and smells really nice too). The box change and litter change should help. That plus the attractant should get them to use the box again. And using the enzymatic cat urine cleaner should keep them from being tempted to reuse other areas. Good luck and let me know what happens. And rethink your move.

Ciao, Karen