I rescued a free roaming cat from an elderly neighbor. He fed the cat on his back porch for 12 years at 92 he had to go to assisted living and his family were going to abandon his cat. I took her home with the intention of her being an indoor cat. She wasn't happy about that so I put lattice around the bottom of my screened in porch and reinforced the screen door installed roller blinds and had a beautiful cedar raised insulated house built for her to use when weather gets cold. I live in coastal Ga and winters tend to be mild. We get nasty storms here and occasionally a hurricane I want to bring her indoor when it storms but even though I have a litter box indoors the same one she has outdoors she will pee on my couch or bed. She uses her outdoor litter box ALWAYS. What can I do to make her feel comfortable staying in and using her litter box. We are not new cat owners this is our 8th rescue all have lived to be happy and old indoor cats. This makes me feel like a failure.
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Free Roaming Cat
- Thread starter Geri SSI
- Start Date
Hi, you're absolutely not a failure. There is possibly a bit of a failure of communication, where she has expectations and you have expectations and the two aren't meeting.
Bless you for stepping into the gap for this cat
Are you able to communicate with that wonderful elderly gentleman? Send him photos of his cat, her new enclosure et al?
Can I ask, is the litter or soil that's in the outdoor box the same as inside? I don't mean to question, but how do you know she's using the outdoor box? ...my real question being, since I'm assuming she's never been to a vet beyond the TNR (trap/neuter/release), I'm wondering if she is having health issues, because cats don't typically pee on soft-ish things unless they're experiencing pain during urination.
Bless you for stepping into the gap for this cat
Are you able to communicate with that wonderful elderly gentleman? Send him photos of his cat, her new enclosure et al?First get a moisture protection pad for your bed and another for your sofa. If it's too expensive, and some things really are, you can use shower curtain liners, a twin bed takes one. They stink but the smell will go away. In the meantime enzyme cleaners for the bed and sofa. This is just to keep her from thinking it's a good place to pee. I wouldn't bother with stern no, or stop it, she knows she can out run you. But if you keep erasing the smell it may help. Without enzyme cleaners I've used white vinegar, enzymes are probably better.
Kitty is stressed right now, probably grieving the loss of her person and house. She maybe insisting on being outside so she can see him when he comes home. It will just take a while for her to realize he's not coming back. She knows he wasn't dead when she last saw him, but the 'bad' people took him away. For now she is hoping. The thing is you'll be there when she gives up and begins to grieve, you'll be her strength and her way of staying in the world.
saw
Furballsmom
's post which made me think, can you take her to visit him? Some places you can, some want all kinds of vet treatments first, but you could ask, if the drive isn't too far. It might be good for both of them, more him than her, since when you bring her home, she will still be watching for him to come home. So that might not be a really good idea, but something to think about.
Kitty is stressed right now, probably grieving the loss of her person and house. She maybe insisting on being outside so she can see him when he comes home. It will just take a while for her to realize he's not coming back. She knows he wasn't dead when she last saw him, but the 'bad' people took him away. For now she is hoping. The thing is you'll be there when she gives up and begins to grieve, you'll be her strength and her way of staying in the world.
saw
Furballsmom
's post which made me think, can you take her to visit him? Some places you can, some want all kinds of vet treatments first, but you could ask, if the drive isn't too far. It might be good for both of them, more him than her, since when you bring her home, she will still be watching for him to come home. So that might not be a really good idea, but something to think about.Use an unscented litter, keep the box very clean, and put down doggie pee pads in front of the box. My brother & Mom had an outdoor stray they'd adopted that they brought in when the weather was really cold (in Atlanta). They shut him up in the kitchen with a litter box and only a vinyl floor to pee on. Kitty used the box and slept in his bed. Cats absolutely WILL pee on beds/sofas/towels/any soft fabric if they feel like it. It's a sign that they are not happy. Pee pads work very well for my bad little cats.
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #5
Hi, you're absolutely not a failure. There is possibly a bit of a failure of communication, where she has expectations and you have expectations and the two aren't meeting.
Can I ask, is the litter or soil that's in the outdoor box the same as inside? I don't mean to question, but how do you know she's using the outdoor box? ...my real question being, since I'm assuming she's never been to a vet beyond the TNR (trap/neuter/release), I'm wondering if she is having health issues, because cats don't typically pee on soft-ish things unless they're experiencing pain during urination.
Bless you for stepping into the gap for this cat
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #6
I have had her to Vet several times for her allergies and checkup. She is in good health and a very sweet cat. I clean her outside litter box twice a day and only use Dr Elsey litter she seemed to take to this litter well.I have an outside soft rug and scratching flooor pad she uses. She loves to be brushed and she is never mean or hostile I call her a gentle soul. She jumps on your lap and seems content. I would never leave her free roam again, but I just want her inside with the pack. She loves my husband and even our dog. The screened in porch is a nice size but I am wondering does she get enough exercise. I bought calming diffusers and tried those inside but she still wants out. I have to close the bedroom doors but the living room is open and she will still run to couch and pee. I have tried putting her litter box right next to it but that doesn't work. Her Vet said she has lived on the outside for 12 years and has weathered storms etc etc. so I am giving her the best I can under the circumstances. Her "Dad" in the nursing home has a picture of her in a frame I took to him and says he talks to her everyday.
I bet when you took the picture in to him it made his day. That is so sweet. I can imagine how much he must miss her and having you take in a picture for him was awesome of you!! If you could and would want to get some more pictures and get a little photo album together for him? it doesn't have to hold a lot of pictures and it doesn't have to be fancy or expensive but I think he would love that.
I would get an enzymatic cleaner to get her scent out of the furniture. Even if you can't smell it she may still be able to which could keep her going back to that spot.
How long has she been at your house?
It will take time for her being inside without being let out for her to understand her person isn't coming back and the new place is a safe place with people who love her. I think in time it will work out and she will be fine.
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- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #8
I have her for the past 8 months. I have had to replace one mattress and a sofa so far. It is frustrating but understandable she lived her life outside not roaming far from her "Dad" she usually spent her time on his porch but roamed two houses away. She hid from other people other than me or her "Dad" why me because he broke hs hip and could no longer go out to feed her so I did for over a year and she gained my trust. Her "dad" never gained his ability to walk again at age 92, hence the nursing home. He has a sharp mind and healthy heart but the rest of his body is failing. I visit him often. Pookie ( thats what he named her) took to my husband immediately I think because she is used to males.
I can understand the frustrations for sure.. is there any room that is not carpeted that you can put her in with no furniture
She could have her things like cat tree litter box toys food water etc.. this could get her acclimated to being inside without the want to pee on furniture.
She could have her things like cat tree litter box toys food water etc.. this could get her acclimated to being inside without the want to pee on furniture.
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #10
When I brought her into my home to get her acclimated to bring inside and introduce her to a litter box I kept her in my large sized laundry room with floor tile. I did not shut the door but put a hig gate up for her to get used to us. She immediately used the litter box. I kept her there for two weeks. Both my husband and I frequently sat and talked with her. Our dog who is very gentle would just lie next to her without a problem.
I was flabbergasted when after she was left out and about the house she would no longer go in the laundry room and use litter box but did use my sofa. The outside porch had been fixed up to accommodate her too with the exception of the custom house so she wanted out. She comes in when my husband calls her and she will sit on his lap but after a short time goes to the door and wants out.
I was flabbergasted when after she was left out and about the house she would no longer go in the laundry room and use litter box but did use my sofa. The outside porch had been fixed up to accommodate her too with the exception of the custom house so she wanted out. She comes in when my husband calls her and she will sit on his lap but after a short time goes to the door and wants out.
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I agree with
F
Fergusboy
. Sometimes it isn't a health issue when they pee elsewhere, sometimes they're trying to send you a message. So maybe that's what's going on. She wanted out or even the freedom to be able to go out when she wanted and that was her way to have a tantrum. So is there a way to put a cat door to the catio so she can go in/out of there as she pleases? If there's a bad storm and she really can't be out there, I'd say put her in the laundry room. She isn't "trustworthy" yet to be in the house without a very close eye. I think the catio is a good start. You know where she is and she's relatively safer than being free-roaming. So maybe just let her have that space. As others have said - it's really great you're looking after her and trying to give her a good life.
It takes cats a long time to get used to change even one as good as the one you've given her. Think about when you left home for the first time, only she doesn't really understand what's happened. It's amazingly good that she can talk to her former owner.
Below is the Amazon page of moisture resistance mattress pads. They don't usually crinkle and aren't hot. Get two then you can just throw one in the wash when needed. Much less expensive than new mattress. I think you might be able to find one to fit on the sofa. So much better than the shower curtain I used when i had a similar problem,
Amazon.com : moisture blocking mattress pads
Below is the Amazon page of moisture resistance mattress pads. They don't usually crinkle and aren't hot. Get two then you can just throw one in the wash when needed. Much less expensive than new mattress. I think you might be able to find one to fit on the sofa. So much better than the shower curtain I used when i had a similar problem,
Amazon.com : moisture blocking mattress pads
I still think this cat would benefit from a vet who doesn't know her background and would have a fresh outlook on her health, where you don't tell them anything other than she ate kibble for most/all of her life.
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I would try dog wee pads for the couches etc. Syb was a life long peer problem cat who had been trained to pee on paper before I adopted her. I had wee pads in boxes all over but she still peed eslwhere sometimes. Nothing worked. It was part cystitis and part territorial stress. We tried everything meds etc. We took her to Bobst Animal Medical Center and the specialist said to give her wet food. That was the only thing that would help.
She was indoor outdoor for much of her life after the pee issue started, dvm recommended trying that. she also wanted outside so I think she must have formerly been i/o. She loved running in the snow. Then as she aged it was only leash walks. Anyway she lived until 17.5 when hcm and a clot took her.
So, since your cat uses the lb outside maybe just stick with that and have her be indoor outdoor or go out to the catio. I hope something you do helps.
I went through this for many years and it is very hard.I reupholstered two couches, a chair and threw a lot of stuff out. I will never do that again. One of them just broke from someone sitting on it the wrong way, after I spent hundreds of hours making it beautiful, lol. But at least it doesn’t smell like cat pee anymore.
Scoe was the only thing I found that worked to remove urine odor. And oxiclean for cloth etc. I still use scoe if someone vomits etc. and for numerous other things. If you don’t get the odor out, they will keep going back and pee there. Once I reupholstered the couch, she never peed there again.
Another thing to try is to have litter boxes elsewhere such as near the couch.
When she came inside, did you isolate her at first? I think you said you had her in the laundry and that was OK, she used the box then. It could be a case of stress issues if there are no urinary or other health issues. Some people have used pheromone sprays for that. I did not find they ever helped, and in fact for one of my former outdoor guys when he came in, I sprayed his area and it made him poop outside the box once, lol. Fortunately, I figured it out and never used it again.
She was indoor outdoor for much of her life after the pee issue started, dvm recommended trying that. she also wanted outside so I think she must have formerly been i/o. She loved running in the snow. Then as she aged it was only leash walks. Anyway she lived until 17.5 when hcm and a clot took her.
So, since your cat uses the lb outside maybe just stick with that and have her be indoor outdoor or go out to the catio. I hope something you do helps.
I went through this for many years and it is very hard.I reupholstered two couches, a chair and threw a lot of stuff out. I will never do that again. One of them just broke from someone sitting on it the wrong way, after I spent hundreds of hours making it beautiful, lol. But at least it doesn’t smell like cat pee anymore.
Scoe was the only thing I found that worked to remove urine odor. And oxiclean for cloth etc. I still use scoe if someone vomits etc. and for numerous other things. If you don’t get the odor out, they will keep going back and pee there. Once I reupholstered the couch, she never peed there again.
Another thing to try is to have litter boxes elsewhere such as near the couch.
When she came inside, did you isolate her at first? I think you said you had her in the laundry and that was OK, she used the box then. It could be a case of stress issues if there are no urinary or other health issues. Some people have used pheromone sprays for that. I did not find they ever helped, and in fact for one of my former outdoor guys when he came in, I sprayed his area and it made him poop outside the box once, lol. Fortunately, I figured it out and never used it again.
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This may sound silly and probably isn't the style sofa you want, but here is what I did. I bought a wicker sofa (works well unless you have dogs who chew on wicker.) Rather than dealing with the heavy upholstery you use cushions that can go through the washing machine, get moderate sized ones, for example a washing machine will not survive washing a large dog bed, so large cushions aren't a good idea.
This may help;
How To Solve Litterbox Problems In Cats: The Ultimate Guide - TheCatSite
This is from petmd
Leading studies suggest there is a connection between FLUTD symptoms and stress or perceiving a threat in the environment. Common things that you may not see as stressors might cause a lot of stress for your cat, such as certain scents, noises, and even furniture changes. The source of stress may be more obvious, as well—stray cats outside, new babies, losing a family member, and so on. We’re still not sure exactly how these stress events and situations cause physical changes in a cat’s bladder.
How To Solve Litterbox Problems In Cats: The Ultimate Guide - TheCatSite
This is from petmd
Leading studies suggest there is a connection between FLUTD symptoms and stress or perceiving a threat in the environment. Common things that you may not see as stressors might cause a lot of stress for your cat, such as certain scents, noises, and even furniture changes. The source of stress may be more obvious, as well—stray cats outside, new babies, losing a family member, and so on. We’re still not sure exactly how these stress events and situations cause physical changes in a cat’s bladder.
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