Cat Urinating Nightmare - Please HELP!

osuengineer

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I'm not even sure where to begin with this.  I have a 6 year old black female cat who was literally the best and most well behaved cat I've ever owned when I lived in an apartment by myself.  In 5 years of living like that she never once urinated anywhere other than her litter box.  But in January of this year I purchased a home and moved in and my girlfriend joined me along with all  FOUR of her cats!  Ever since the move my cat has not been the same, full blown urinating everywhere from the floors, to kitchen counters, sinks, sofas, blankets, towels, you name it, and sometimes the litter boxes.  I even kept my cat locked in a room for a couple weeks and slowly let her smell and look at the other cats to try to properly introduce them.  Things seems ok for a week or two than spiraled out of control.

My cat does not get along well with one of her cats, they stalk each other constantly and used to get into severe fights.  One of her other younger cats also constantly chases all the other cats around and my cat doesn't seem to like it either.  I've literally tried everything, cleaning areas with enzyme treatment, hydrogen peroxide, baking soda to remove odors.  Added more litter boxes (up to five right now) at different locations in the basement with different litters.  Using Cat Attract in the boxes.  Even try carrying her to the boxes every morning and giving her treats to encourage her to use the boxes.  Tried spraying other cats with water when they bother her to discourage that behavior as well.  Even locked my cat in a room with a litter box and food while we work but she started urinating just outside the box and ruined the carpet in that room.

The problem still persists and has been going on for about 10 months now, and we've had to tear out ALL the carpet in our house and replace with hardwood floor, and throw away couches and other furniture and other items that have been ruined.  Our house is one story with a basement, there is no good spot for a litter box on the main floor, with 5 cats the entire floor throughout the house will be covered in litter pellets in a matter of 1 day, so the boxes must stay in the basement. 

I fear that there is no solution under these circumstances and don't know what to do at this point.  Can anyone provide any insight?
 

calicosrspecial

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That is a lot of change to go through for your cat.

Is your cat hiding at all? How does she react when the one cat stalks/chases her?

But there is hope I believe. Here is what I suggest and I look forward to what others think.

I think we need to build your cat's confidence. She is feeling territorially insecure. I want her to feel like she owns the house with the other cats. So I would like you to do the following. I would step up playing with her (both you and your girlfriend). After a good play session feed. Either a meal or treats. Play in all areas of the house if possible. At this point have the other person distract the other cats in other parts of the house. We want her to go high in the world. So we want her up on things. Try to get cat trees in the house and if possible cat shelving. Anywhere she can go high and watch and build confidence. And then give her a lot of love. Try to get her to purr, try to spend time with her. Anything to let her know that she is loved.

Then if you see another cat stalking her distract that cat with play or food. Once the black cat builds her confidence she will not be as likely to be chased. 

I would also do the same for the cat that is chasing the black cat. Confident cats are less likely to chase cats than insecure cats.

I hope this makes some sense and please ask any questions. I am happy to help you during the process. 
 
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osuengineer

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My cat is not so much hiding, but she's usually laying on top of a sofa or kitchen counter and up off the floor.  She reacts differently depending on which cat chases her.  If the younger male cat chases her she just seems annoyed more than anything.  But if the other female cat that she doesn't get along with stalks or chases her it will turn into a hissing/growling match and used to turn into severe fights.

What you're suggesting makes sense, before I read your post yesterday I was playing with her and giving her more attention and noticed an immediate change in her confidence and happiness.  She even began playing on her own shortly after which I haven't seen in a while.  Now after reading your post I'm hoping there is really something to this and I'm eager to find out.  Perhaps she also doesn't feel as loved, as she used to lay next to me every night in the apartment but now she won't come lay with me in the house because other cats are in the bed I'm assuming.

Thanks again for your suggestion, I will start implementing this advice from this point forward and see how things go.
 

calicosrspecial

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You are welcome.

Very good your cat is not hiding and is up in the world (on the counter, on the sofa, etc).

Yes, cats are creatures of habit so when there is change it affects them. So the fact she isn't sleeping with you can be a difficult transition. But hopefully building her confidence (play, food, height and love) will help her. Try to give her love if possible before bed. Getting her to purr will be helpful.

Also, try to work on the cat that she does not like. Same things, build her confidence and do some scent swapping associating the other cat's scent with good things.

Please feel free to ask anything anytime. This should help and get them more adjusted and happier.

Thank you so much for caring about them. Good luck.
 
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osuengineer

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So far it's been one step forward & two steps back...

I've been giving her a lot more attention and definitely noticed a change in her attitude,  she's become more playful and seemingly more confident.  However upon coming home from work yesterday we discovered that she had urinated in my girlfriends bag containing work supplies, which was sitting on a shelf off the ground in the living room.  Then we discovered she also urinated down the side of and into our toaster on the kitchen counter and we had to toss it in the trash.

She seems to use the litter box for pooping, but not for urinating.  This morning I took her down in the basement before leaving for work and put her in the litter box, but she kept jumping out.  I stepped back and she eventually walked back in on her own and urinated in it, so I gave her a few treats immediately after.  I won't be at all surprised to come home and find more messes today though.

One thing that makes it difficult to play with her is my girlfriends younger playful male cat.  If he sees any other cat playing he will either come take the toy or attack (playfully I think for the most part) the cat playing.  This makes it nearly impossible for my cat to play on her own.

Still holding out things will work out, but this situation seems overly complex and I'm skeptical we will find a resolution.
 

calicosrspecial

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How does your girlfriend interact with the black cat? Has she taken her in as hers/ours?

How did you both of you react to the cat when you both came home to find that the bag and the toaster were urinated on?

Do the other cats (especially the one the black cat does not like) go up on that counter and that shelf?

I really want both you and your girlfriend to play with the black cat and also to feed her. I think it is really important for her to know that you both love her and want her. When you or your girlfriend are playing with her have the other person distract (with play or food or anything) the playful younger male so that the black cat can get a good play session and meal in. Also try to get both of you to give her love. We want her to feel accepted and loved by both of you. We also want her to be more confident. The urinating you described sounds like territorial behavior. A confident cat it less likely to do that. 

I also would you like to do the same with the cat that is chasing/fighting with the black cat. Build the confidence. And if you can get them together in the same room but have them focus on other things (play, eating, love etc) that should be helpful. If one starts to focus on the other then distract as much as possible. We need them to get along.

And during all this please try to stay as calm and confident and positive as possible. I know it is very hard and tempers can ride high but please try to keep the situation as calm and confident and positive as possible at all times. 

Your situation happens all the time. I just got done helping someone else with a similar problem. It works but it does take a little time. I know you love her so I am very hopeful that you'll put the time and effort in and that the situation with be resolved.

I'll be here for you throughout the process. Hang in there, I know it is hard and frustrating but I believe you can resolve this.
 
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osuengineer

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I honestly can't say for sure how my girlfriend has been reacting lately as she gets home before I do and notices these incidents first.  Early on when we first moved several of the cats were urinating in one specific area of the house and she would sometimes rub their nose in it or yell at them.  Now it's just my cat that continues to urinate everywhere and my girlfriend gets pretty upset over it, however I have explained to her it is important that she does not yell at them or anything of that sort.  She sometimes thinks the cat urinates out of spite when it happens on her clothes/belongings, but I've told her that cat's do not urinate out of spite and it is likely a stress related issue.

In regard to the shelf/kitchen counter, four of the five cats get up on it, including the one she dislikes and also the younger male that is always chasing her.  It's hard to tell if the younger male is being playful or territorial, but my cat has a much different reaction to the other female cat she dislikes than she does the younger male.  However the younger male has gotten aggressive before out of what seemed like playful chasing.

I will make sure we continue to follow your advice, hoping to see improvement soon.
 

calicosrspecial

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I think your advice to your girlfriend is perfect and spot on. Yelling etc only make bad behavior worse. I think she could be a huge key in helping eliminate this behavior. I really would like her to play and feed the black cat.  And to try to be as loving as possible to her. I know it is very hard but it is really important. If the black cat feels loved and cared for by both of you I think  a lot of problems could be lessened.

I was afraid it might be territorial marking. We really need to get those two cats to accept each other and live in harmony. Anytime they can be together without fighting and chasing it will be a positive. Combine that with a more confident cat  and one that is loved by both of you and I think it can happen. And we need to build the confidence of the chasing cat the black cat does not like.

Please ask anything if anything needs clarification. I think we can eliminate this. 
 
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osuengineer

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It's really hard for me to tell if it's territorial or not.  Sometimes it's on vertical surfaces but other times it's full blown puddles on a counter top or on the floor.  I've relayed your advice to my girlfriend and we are slowly trying to implement these suggestions.  No more incidents over the last couple of days (that I'm aware of) but it seems to go in spurts.

It seems like playing with the cat seems to have a better effect on some days vs others.  Some days she will get very playful and start playing on her own but others she doesn't want to play period.  Hopefully we can keep making steps forward.  Will give an update soon.
 

calicosrspecial

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It is really hard to tell at times. But typically building confidence will help eliminate the problems regardless of the source of the issue. But it is always nice to know the source of the issue.

I am sure there will be ups and downs as confidence is not built over night but we should see fewer incidences as time goes by then no more.

Is there anything in common on the days she doesn't want to play? Any disruptions in her day, chases, interactions, people coming home late, etc? Anything at all in common? It is not uncommon for a 6yr old not to want to play every day, sometimes they get a bit lazy at times so not too worrying.

So glad both you and your girlfriend are working on this together. It is so important for all people in the house to buy into the process. It should work, just keep up the great work. 

Please let me know how things are going, how everyone is acting, what things are working and what aren't and any questions you may have. Hopefully we can get this issue fixed soon. Thanks for all your hard work on this. Good luck.
 
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osuengineer

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I don't notice any difference in the days she is less playful, but it could be something that is happening while we are both working during the day.

Yesterday was a down day, my cat and my girlfriends cat broke out into a fight when my girlfriend got home.  Then later than evening while we were both sitting on the sofa my cat urinated a large puddle next to the kitchen sink on the counter top, we didn't notice until after it was already done.  Then while we were sleeping we were both awaken by them fighting again.  I turned on the lights to find my cat up on top of a shelf in the bed room and the other cat running off.

I continue to take my cat to the basement every morning and reward her with a treat for urinating.  It takes several attempts of placing her in the litter box before she goes.  The younger male is always down there too and love to mess with her and I think that is also turning her off the litter boxes.

Will continue to post updates, thanks again.
 

calicosrspecial

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You are welcome.

We really need to get them to get along. I think that is a major reason for the issue. We need to build their confidence, both of them. Play, food, height and love. We need to associate each other with good things (like play and food).

It is good that your cat went high during/after the fight. But it is not good they are fighting. How often are they fighting (that you know of)? Are they ever near each other and not focused on each other? Do they eat together at all? Are there any non-negative interactions between them?

I hate to take territory away from any cat but we may have to consider separating them for a time. And trying a reintroduction. 

Please keep me up on any developments and please feel free to ask anything. We need to help your cat.
 
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osuengineer

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They don't fight often lately, maybe once a week or less the get into an actual physical fight.  It used to be daily and so bad tot he point where they couldn't even be near each other without a tense standoff.  At least now they can be within a few feet of each other and typically nothing happens besides maybe a little growling, so it seems to be improving.  But as far as actual interactions, they are always tense/stressful, they have yet to actually sleep next to each other or walk next to each other normally.

My cat has been eating high on a counter top lately, otherwise she wouldn't eat all of her food.  Perhaps I should try feeding her on the floor with the others?

The weekend seemed to be ok, no urinating anywhere that we know of.  The only incident was last night while we were eating my cat was next to me begging me for food when the other cat jumped up behind her and sat behind her.  I let her be thinking its good they are this close, but out of nowhere that cat jumped on the back of my cat aggressively and I had to split them up.

Other than that both cats seem to be more confident and happier up to this point.
 

calicosrspecial

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Very good that they are fighting less. We need to break any focus they have on each other. Distract with food or play or anything. If they can walk by and not really focus on each other it would be great. But the fact they are fighting less is a good sign. We need to keep building each of their confidence. And having them near each other focused on other things is also very helpful.

I would like to try to get the black cat eating near the cat she doesn't like even if it is with the black cat on the counter eating. Anything to get them to associate the other one with good things (like food). If one starts to focus on the other one then we need to distract to break that focus.

Last night if you see the other cat focusing too much on the black cat try to distract the cat. Food is usually best or play if possible or love. Anything that has them together with no incident is helpful in getting them to get along.

We need to keep working on the more aggressive cat, building the confidence and associating the black cat with good things.

Keep up the great work, hopefully we'll see more progress. please feel free to ask anything anytime. 
 
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osuengineer

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Quick Update...

The urinating has been reduced significantly from what it was.  There are still incidents here and there but there is definitely improvement.  My cat also is showing signs of higher confidence as she isn't afraid to go into any rooms as much as before, and is playing more often.  The other cat is slightly more confident as well, she's a little harder to work with since she often does not like being pet.  The two still stalk and focus on each other but not quite as much.  I can't seem to get them to stop this type of behavior towards each other entirely, but the urinating is at least under control right now.

We haven't started feeding them close to each other yet, will likely begin that this weekend....although I'm almost certain they wont eat like this.  My cat may not even eat at all if not on the counter top, or one of the other cats will likely try stealing the food so we'll have to do it in a separate room.

Will keep updating, thanks again.
 

calicosrspecial

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Thank you for the update. Glad to hear there is some progress.

Great that the black cat is more confident, that will help. Keep working with the other cat. Keep trying to build the confidence through play, food and height and if she doesn't like to be pet that is ok, give eye kisses, even just sit by her and talk to her in a soft, calm confident way. Just keep building her confidence and let her no she is loved and belongs. 

When you see them stalk each other try to distract with play or food or anything if possible. Anytime they are together without an incident it will help them. Each are worried about the other. So the more they trust the other the better the behavior will be.

Just try to get them to eat together even if it starts a bit away and even if the black cat is eating on the counter. Anything to get them to associate the other with good things (food) and to be near each other without stalking, chasing, swatting etc. The more they get comfortable that the other one will not do something the less likely they will (or need to) do something. If you can try to keep the other cats away so they don't steal the food that will be helpful.

Keep up the great work, you are doing a great job!! 
 
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osuengineer

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Small Update...

The urinating is still going on, though not quite as much.  My girlfriend came home from work early today to find urine all over the oven top.  After cleaning it she was laying down and heard a noise in the kitchen only to look up and find her cat (the one who fights with my cat) urinating on the kitchen counter top.  I was suspect that it wasn't just my cat, and now we know for sure it isn't.  They are also urinating on our door mats frequently still.

The fighting has decreased but still an issue.  They still cannot stand to be close to each other and constantly stalk each other waiting for an opportunity to jump on the other one.  Neither of them act this way towards any of the other cats, just between each other. 

While things have slightly improved, the problem seems to still remain.  I felt like they were doing better there for a bit, then stuff like this happens.  I'm not sure if we're making any progress.  Hoping for further improvement soon.
 

calicosrspecial

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Ok, well we know what the problem it at least. It is the relationship between them.

We need to do everything we can for them to accept each other. If we achieve that the urinating will stop I am sure.

We need to work on the things we have talked about. We need both of you to play with both of them (not necessarily together for now) then feed. We need for your girlfriend to feed both cats and for you to feed both cats. Hopefully slowly getting them to eat closer together. If possible without being hurt in anyway or risk of being hurt, I would like both of you to give as much "love" as possible to each of the cats (try to get them to purr if possible). If they are getting love near each other (to smell and/or to see each other that could help). If it is not possible to get them that close then try to get the other cat's scent on you or your girlfriend and pet the other one with the scent on you (or an old shirt). We need to associate good things with the other cat to the other cat. If they start stalking etc we need to distract them with play or food or anything. Anytime they are together without confrontation it will help in easing the tension in their relationship. We have to associate the cats with good things (food, play, eight and love). And avoid any negative confrontations.

We need to build the confidence of both cats and we need both you and your girlfriend to do that with each cat.

It will probably take some time but hopefully we can get them to get along. 
 
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osuengineer

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Update...

So we've been continuing to give both cats extra attention and the urinating has improved.  We've also been taking them to the basement individually each morning and evening to get them to go to the litter boxes and that also seems to be helping.  I've been able to get my cat on the same table as the other cat without fighting or much growling, but they are still uncomfortable around each other that close.  They still stalk each other occassionally but not as much.   I haven't been able to get them to eat near each other.  My cat won't eat much if she's not on a counter top.

While things have improved, there are still incidents.  They seem to urinate on our doormats no matter what we do.  Also, interestingly I caught the younger playful male urinating in front of the fireplace this morning which was a shocker since he's never done this before.  I'm not sure if he smelled other urine in the area and felt like it was an acceptable place to go or what.  He's also had a UTI lately but that was weeks ago.

But the big improvements are we haven't found urine all over everything on the kitchen counter tops and other counter tops throughout the house and the two cats are fighting less.  Hopefully improvements are still to come but things seem to have leveled off a bit the last week.
 

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Bless you for not giving up on your cat!! Maybe have a cat behaviourist come to your house and asses the situation first hand? Maybe make some more improvements?
 
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