Help rescue cat spraying, pooping and urinating all over couch and floor

Hello! 

My boyfriend and I have a 1 year old cat , Maja, that is super social with humans and other animals, loves to play and cuddle. We decided to rescue another cat, she is one year old named Louis, born outside and previously lived with another owner who adopted her and her brother. However he returned her because she had a problem using the litterbox, which they said was presumably due to her loving to play so much. We visited her numerous times at the cat home and she was so cuddly with her three cat friends in her room and played with us. She was hand shy though but we are hoping she will warm up to us.

She arrived a little over a week ago. We set up a little area, food, litter box, bed, and toys in the bathroom. Unfortunately, we got a little ahead of ourselves since we noticed she was using her litter box the first day and allowed her to sleep in the living room that night with the bathroom door open and Maja in our bedroom. We didn't notice the first night that she peed and/or sprayed all over the couch (its dark brown) so the next night we allowed her to sleep in the living room again. Well, that morning there was poop on the couch, another wet area on the couch and pee on the rug next to the couch. 

So we figured lets leave her in the bathroom and only allow her out when we are watching. A day or two later we let her out, first thing she does is poop on the living room rug. Otherwise she does use her litterbox in the bathroom. And of course she is eating/drinking water so that is good. We also put Maja in the bathroom from time to time so they get familiar.

She is aggressive towards Maja, hissing and growling and runs away to hide when we go to the bathroom. She occasionally plays with a feather toy but not if the other cat is around. 

We bought a plug in Feliway but I don't think it works that fast. 

So I am asking, what happened to this cat that we thought liked other cats and like to play? And I am beginning to feel that the litter box issue is a much bigger deal than the cat adoption led on. What should we do? I cannot live with the smell of cat urination and spray. Not to mention I cannot afford continually buying the enzyme solution to clean up after her. 

What are the chances the litter box issue and spraying is temporary? And how long will it take to know if she will get along with Maja and not be so afraid of us? 

Thanks! 

Thank you so much for saving another life.

I really suggest going through the formal introduction process and taking the introduction slowly. Putting cats together too quickly can lead to all sorts of problems. Here are some links to help you with the process and I am happy to answer any questions every step of the way.

http://www.thecatsite.com/a/the-ultimate-yet-simplified-guide-to-introducing-cats

http://www.catbehaviorassociates.com/a-simple-little-trick-to-use-during-new-cat-introductions/

http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/virtual-pet-behaviorist/cat-behavior/introducing-your-cat-new-cat

http://jacksongalaxy.com/2010/10/01/cat-to-cat-introductions/

Did you rule out any medical issues with regard to Louis? Typically cats do not use the litter box because of medical (typically pain) or emotional or territorial.

It could be that that first night Louis was marking her territory as she smelled another cat and might be a bit fearful of the unknown. That is really why we want to go through the process and go through every step slowly. During that we slowly want to build the confidence of the new cat  (using play, food, height, and love) which I can explain in more detail. We also want to work to build the confidence of the existing cat. I have found in my experience that the existing cat(s) have a more difficult time in adjusting as another cat is entering their territory. So we want to build their confidence using play, food, height and love and introduce the new cat slowly and associate the other cat with good things (especially food).

It is tough to tell since I do not know the cat but the litter box issues should be temporary (in my experience cats want to use litter boxes and hide their scent). It could be a month and it could be a year to see if they get along (again it is hard to know until we get into the process and see how they react). I take feral cats in that have never used a litter box and they immediately use the little box so it is in their instinct to use litter boxes. And if we do the formal introduction process and do it correctly it can go really quickly most of the time unless we are dealing with a lack of confidence and then it could take a little longer. But given Louis seems to like other cats I think we'll need to work with Maja a bit but again since Maja likes other animals I don't see why they can't get along in a reasonable time. But it is very important to follow the process and I am happy to help at every step of the way.

I hope this helps and please ask anything. I want this to work out for you and your family.

Thanks for the reply! 

The rescue home took her to the vet prior and then delivered her so there shouldn't be any issues. But I guess they wouldn't have checked this issue since she used the litter box in her confined bathroom sized home at the shelter. Regardless, if it doesn't show any signs of improvement then we will take her in.

We definitely introduced them way too quickly. Our resident cat Maja, is pretty oblivious to Louis's aggression. She takes it as play time and doesn't know her boundaries (she likes to surprise attack us and other cats that we have watched before).  But I can tell that Maja is more inclined to using Louis's litter box now and eating her food and water (probably some territorial thing). So probably best to give them some distance.

Louis is improving and getting much more comfortable in the bathroom, climbing up high and sitting in the middle of the floor. We allowed her to roam the living room again today and put the resident cat in another room. She actually used the litter box during that time and we rewarded her with a treat. However, we did notice that she surely wants her privacy during the litter box time. We thought about buying a covered litter box. 

We are going to take it much slower and try to separate the cats and introduce them more slowly as described in the articles. Thank you for that. I will keep you updated.

Louis is very hand shy and jumpy (if you make sudden movements or walk through the room), she was at the shelter too, how can we help her? I know that we should not force ourselves - petting etc. But is there anything we can do to help her gain trust? Or she we keep our distance and let her come to us? If she ever does. 

Kind regards!

You are welcome.

There are a lot of positives in what you wrote.

Great that she was checked out and everything was fine. We will not totally rule out medical but I am guessing that is not the issue.

I think I would keep them separated and go through the process slowly. And really work on building Louis' confidence. If you can get Louis to play in the living room then feed either food or treats I think that would be helpful. While Maja is in another room.

Great that Louis is getting more comfortable in his territory (the bathroom) AND going high and she used the litter box while in the living room.

It could be that Louis wants privacy, it would not be the first time a cat wants privacy while using the litter. I might be inclined to add an enclosed box but do not take away the existing box. Also you may want to put another box in kind of an out of the way place for Louis.

It is not uncommon for a cat to be hand shy, movement skittish etc. I would do a couple of things. Be as normal and calm and confident around her as possible.  Cats can take on our emotions so if we act different they sense that and can be more skittish, defensive etc. As we build the confidence (through play, food, height and love) it becomes less likely. You are right, always let the cat initiate contact on the cat's terms. But you can go in by her and just sit near her and talk softly and lovingly. Give eye kisses. Never stare at the cat. Let the cat get familiar with you and comfortable. Anytime you are together the cat will build trust so long as you don't do anything out of the ordinary. You can always use treats or food as well as cats respond very well to food (It really builds trust). But just resist reaching out and never corner a cat. Just be calm and confident around the cat. She'll come around most likely.

I will help you every step of the way as long as you like to make sure the best efforts are made to get Louis to have her forever home. Feel free to ask anything, I am very happy to help.

Hello, 

I just wanted to give an update. 

So its been a couple of weeks. The cats have been introduced -- I could not keep them apart, in fact. Louis (adopted cat) constantly rubs against Maja (resident cat) and tries to cuddle and play with her. The cats love playing with eachother and only rarely do I hear one of them getting upset. Louis no longer runs away when we walk near her and she rubs against our legs and climbs on us to be scratched. She lets me pick her up (not my boyfriend though). During these weeks we have kept her in the bathroom during the night and letting her out to play when we could watch her (gradually more and more often). However, it was becoming impossible to get her in the back into the bathroom. We tried everything! Treats, toys, the other cat -- she is onto us. Besides that she has sprayed three more times...that I have noticed. I don't even see her do it! She climbs underneath the back supporting cushions of the couch and sprays so you don't notice until you sit down. (and its a dark brown couch the blacklight doesnt pick it up). She snuck into the bedroom and peed/ sprayed all over our bed. And somehow on a towel on the heating rack hanging on the wall. That one was a mystery as she would have had to climb onto the top of the toilet and do it! 

I am not sure what to do. Its really impossible to keep them separate and she (most) of her behaviour is completely different from when we first took her home. She seems so happy. But I am not so happy  I have to get rid of the couch its really in the crevices and in the framework now. 

Kind regards 

Ev 

Cats typically go outside the litter box because of pain or behavior especially territorial behavior. If they feel insecure they spray to say "this is mine".

Does Maja go behind the couch where Louis is spraying? Is it an inside or outside wall that the couch is against?

Does Maja spend a lot of time in your bed? 

Are there any other animals in the house (living or visiting)? Did anyone get the scent of another animal on them or their clothes and then sit on the couch or on the bed?

Do you have ferals that come around your house? Are the areas he is spraying near doors or windows?

Can you think of anything that might have happened before the incidents especially in those places?

Did you thoroughly clean the area with the proper cleaning solution?

I would step up play around the areas he is going and after play feed either a meal or treats. Do you have an extra scratching post or cat tree that he uses and that has his scent on and can you put it by the areas? We would like to have something that has his scent on it, something he feels like he owns. 

And finally if possible try to give him love (as long as you are not at risk of being hurt) by those areas. Petting if possible without being hurt or even just sitting there by him talking to him softly and calmly. Eye kisses are good and getting him to purr would be terrific if possible.

I am guessing he feels insecure in those areas, if you can think of anything that might cause it that could help. As he gets more confident and secure he will be less likely to be spraying.  

Hopefully we can figure this out sooner rather than later. Hang in there and feel free to ask anything.

Hey there, 

There hasn't been any new people over or contact with any other animals and we live in an apartment on the 4th floor. There are other animals in the building of course but the couch is located on the very corner of the building away from the door. As far as ferals, we live in Sweden and are located a distance from any areas were I have ever seen feral cats. Its way too cold, I think.  

The two couches are sitting with the tall cat trees in the middle next to a window. We originally had the one but it was getting old and so we bought another big enough for two cats, it goes all the way up to the ceiling. It is sitting very close to the area she sprayed at. The cats trees are located in front of a window in the corner of the two couches. There is bird seeds outside of that hanging. They love to watch them and attack the window. They both climb, scratch and sleep together on the tree as well. 

Yes, Maja sleeps in our bed at night so that makes sense. However, Maja rarely sits on that couch. But I do, so maybe its something with my smell. haha 

We have extensively cleaned the couch with multiple bottles of enzymes cleaner. Took the cushions off and everything to clean in the washer. But it is hard to clean, she keeps spraying in the corners and inner parts of the couch, where one might find a lost controller or loose change. That is way I am considering throwing the couch. 

I am honestly not sure why she would feel insecure there. But we will try to play and give more treats in that area to see if that helps. 

Kind regards 

Ev

Are both cats spayed?

How long have you been in your apartment? Did the previous occupants have animals?

Did you ever have another cat? Did you ever have a different cat that scratched on the old cat tree and/or was on the couch?

You mention that they both climb, scratch and sleep together in the cat tree. Is there ever "competition" for the tree? Does Maja ever not allow Louis to come up on the tree?

How do Maja and Louis generally get along? It sounds like they get along well but is there any stalking, chasing, any different body language or any competitive behavior? 

Have any of the birds ever showed aggression towards the cats? Do the cats get agitated at the birds outside or is it just a normal hunting response towards the birds?

I am guessing it is territory driven, that Louis doesn't yet feel like she owns the place. Since it has been a little over a week. The play and treats and love should help build her confidence and ownership of the territory and stop the spraying. I also want to understand how they get along as that adds to territorial insecurity. 

How many litter boxes do you have? There should be at least 3. 

Is he blocked off from any rooms (especially your bedroom)? Is Louis allowed on the couch?  Does Louis walk around with her tail straight up or does it hang more? Does she walk low to the ground anywhere around the house? Does she walk around less confident in your bedroom or by the couch but confident everywhere else?  

Have you taken a black light to see if there are other places where spraying has occurred?.Is it possible Maja is spraying?

Have you ruled out any medical issues? 

Hopefully the more we learn the more we can figure this out. 

Hello, 

I thought I had replied to the last message. 

Louis, the adopted cat, is doing really really well now. 

The couch that she kept marking seemed to be the culprit. We did some tests. Removed all the pillows and put the food bowls in each corner of the couch (where she liked to spray) and then let her room around for days. No issues. As soon as we took those bowls away she sprayed in those places right in front of us. So we tossed the couch. We also totally gave up on trying to put her in the bathroom in the evenings (we did that because we were just afraid that she would spray during the night). So now we just let her sleep in the bed with the other cat and my boyfriend and I. Its getting a little crowded! haha. Her behaviour has completely changed since we have taken her home. She is the most loving and happy cat now. 

The other thing we did was make a diy hide away litter box area. We put a large container in a long storage chest. The box is equivlant to two litter boxes. As well as a litter trash can. That way the Louis and Maja have a hidden area to go to the bathroom. And we love it too! Louis seems to really like that one. And then we have another litter box in our bedroom. 

To answer your previous questions. Both cats are spayed and we did have a previous cat for a short time in the apartment about a year ago. Maja does not spray, she did once, on me! and then she was spayed. They cats occasionally bap eachother on the heads and race to the top of the tree but then they just lay down and sleep. Louis almost obsessively rubs herself on us and Maja. Maja doesn't seem to enjoy it though and just walks away. 

We did take a black light and scan the whole apartment. I am pretty sensitive to smells and haven't found any other places that she has sprayed. Only that couch, the rug in front of that couch and the one time in the bed when she snuck in there. 

Prior to this we were even considering taking her to the behaviour specialist at the vet but hopefully that we not be necessary. She seems to be doind just fine now. 

Thanks!

Thanks for the update. AWESOME!! Great work. Your post made my day!! THANK YOU!!

I am so glad things are going well. I think you have success.

If you need anything please never hesitate to ask. But I think you are experts now. Really good job!!