Disgruntled Kitty Issues

Updated on December 29, 2008
J.L. asks from Columbus, OH
12 answers

I have two cats.

One cat, Jack, I've had since he was a kitten. He was my first kitty and it has been often said by my friends, "You don't own Jack, Jack owns you."

In October, I brought in another cat, Stormy. She's about a year old and was owned by the neighbor who couldn't keep her anymore, partially because of their new dog, partially because she tended to pee all over everything. So I knew this going in...

Stormy is jealous of Jack, and whenever I give Jack attention she waits until I'm watching her and pees on something. She uses her litter box all other times. This is simply revenge. Last night she got my tree skirt, a pair of my boots and my son's jacket which had fallen off of the back of a kitchen chair. Earlier this week, she got my roommmate's bed.

I've been trying to give her more attention, but she'll let me pet her for a few minutes and wander off or act like she's going to bite me so I'll stop.

She's been fixed, I clean her litter box daily, I've taken her to the vet to make sure that it's not an infection, etc.

I know this is psychological. I just don't know how to make her stop doing this. Any help is appreciated.

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So What Happened?

Thank you all for your advice! I went out and purchased some Feliway, and already I'm noticing a difference. Both of my cats have been happier and getting along better, and I haven't had an accident since. I've also been making sure that I give them more love, and they've been so much more receptive too. This stuff is a miracle!

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L.H.

answers from Indianapolis on

J.,

A friend of mine had a similar situation as you. Oreo would pee when the family made her mad. She got her spayed and she has since not peed on anything.

So, you should try spaying her. that is what I would do.

Good luck.

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A.S.

answers from Indianapolis on

You might want to try a pharamone plug in "air freshener". My mom has had to use one because one of their female cats is territorial and would spray or inappropriately pee when upset or saw another cat outside. This has really helped. You should be able to find one at your local pet mart.

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K.P.

answers from Cincinnati on

We had issues with our cat when we moved to an old farm house. There was a cat that lived here before we did, and that cat made messes, which lead to our cat making messes there. We tried many things, and what has finally worked is an anti-anxiety medication from our vet. I think it is called amitriptyline. I would suggest asking your vet about it, to see if it would work for you. Good luck.

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C.S.

answers from Canton on

Take a spray bottle and spray her with it everytime she goes to pee. Also one could go to the pet store and invest in some dog diapers and put on her.

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E.W.

answers from Dayton on

Hi,

Bitter apple spray has always worked for me. The kitties don't like the smell and won't go where it's been sprayed. You can pick it up at just about any pet store.
I hope this works for you and I hope you're able to keep her.

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M.B.

answers from Cincinnati on

J.....If it were me I'd get rid of Stormy. You knew going in that she peed on things. Your life is worth more than cleaning up after a cat. I've been there.

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M.C.

answers from Youngstown on

Hi J....My cat also pees on things when she gets mad. We have had her for 10 years and we just recently had our first baby. She did this before, but having the baby in the house has made it worse. I guess she feels like she is not getting enough attention. I have tried everything and nothing seems to get her to stop. I keep saying that I am going to get rid of her, but I don't actually think I will do it. My sister is dealing with this too. Her cat will pee and poop on the floor, under beds etc. There is nothing medically wrong with the cat, it just seems to be something that he started doing for no reason. I am brginning to think that all cats do this. I think after this one, we will never have another cat. Nothing smells worse than cat pee! So I guess I don't have any advice for you, I just wanted to let you know that you are not alone. Best of luck to you!

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J.O.

answers from Cleveland on

ONE WAY OF TRAINING HER IS TO CAGE HER AND MAKE IT KNOWN TO HER WHY SHE IS BEING PUT IN A CAGE CATCH HER RIGHT AFTER OR DURING HER ACT OF SRAYING, IT IS VERY FRUSTRAING I KNOW I HAVE OVER TWENTY CATS ,MOST OF MINE ARE NOW OUTSIDE DUE TO THIS SAME SITUATION.

BUT BY CAGING THEM IT SHOWS THAT YOU ARE IN CHARGE NOT THEM.
BY DOING THIS PUNSHIMENT LEAVE HER IN THE CAGE FOR A WEEK OR BETTER MAKE SURE IT IS A BIG ENOUGH CAGE FOR A LITTER BOX AND HER FOOD AND WATER. SOME CATS WILL OUT GROW THIS BUT UNFORUTALLY SOME WILL NOT, SHE MAY HAVE TO JUST LIVE IN A CAGE . OR BE PLACED OUTSIDE REMEBER DOGS WE OWN , CATS OWN US (AT LEAST THEY THINK SO , lol GOOD LUCK i KNOW THE FRUSTRATION ....

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M.P.

answers from Indianapolis on

I am not sympathetic when it comes to pets interfering with a good life. Do you want to spend your time cleaning up cat pee or enjoying your life? Take the cat to the Humane Society. You will miss her for a little bit, but everytime you think of cleaning up that pee, you will be happy you're not doing that anymore. You can always try another cat.

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S.C.

answers from Fort Wayne on

Nothing will make the cat stop peeing. I'm sorry :( I had two male cats that started peeing on the floor after my daughter was born. I'd had the cats for 6+ years when she was born. We tried EVERYTHING and nothing worked. I finally had to get rid of them. They ruined our couch, our carpet and several articles of clothing. It was a really hard decision, but I couldn't have my daughter playing and crawling on cat pee.

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M.G.

answers from Cleveland on

I went thru a simular thing, so I understand and know how frustrating it can be. As far as the last person's comment, I was upset by it. I do not view animals as being "disposable". They are part of our family and when we take them in we have a responsibility to care for them.

With that off my chest I wanted to offer some advice. Be sure to give the new kitty lots of one onone time when possible. The moving into your house is an adjustment too. That could be causing stress and hence more peeing problems. I suggest using FELIWAY. They sell a defuser and also air spray. I would get both. You can find them at any pet store (petsmart/petco, ect..). It is a cat pharmone which helps to ease the stress of kitty. It really does work!! Using a water spray bottle and a cage with only stress kitty out more and possibly make the problem worse. If this doesn't help you could even talk to your vet about kitty prozac. I know that sounds crazy, but if worse comes to worse it is an option.

Good luck!!! I hope you can find some peace for your household. Please do not give up on your kitty and rehome hert again. Someone next time might not be as patient and she could be put down. She just needs some understanding and love for now.

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S.L.

answers from Columbus on

Dear J.,

I feel for ya, Sister!

First, your friends are right ~ jack does own you. They say that dogs have owners and cats have staff. Truer words have never been spoken.

I would think it might be time to keep a squirt gun or spray bottle handy. If you can catch Stormy as she's getting ready to take revenge, give her a squirt. Then, if you can get a hold of her, take her to her box, talking gently to her as you do it. Cats don't understand scolding, they will just perceive you as a big old meanie, not connecting the scolding with anything they did.

There's also a new cat little called Cat Attract. It's formulated to attract cats to the litter box. I don't know if that will help, since this seems to be a psychological issue, but it might be worth a try.

In the mean time, there's a good odor neutralizer called Zero Odor Pet. You can buy it on line from zeroodorpet.com. It's also now sold in a few stores, but I can't remember which ones right now. the web site should have that information. Just soak the spot with the product, and it will neutralize the odor and the stain completely and permanently.

I also have to second the suggestion of using Feliway to sooth both kitties after the stress of the move, etc. You can also use a homeopathic remedy called Bach's Rescue Remedy. If you google "Bach's Rescue Remedy Veterinary use" you should be able to find the appropriate dosage for cats. It's a great product, and works well for animals and humans alike. Just a few drops (or sprays) in their water helps to calm them. If Stormy doesn't drink much water, I believe you can put it on a treat or spray it into her mouth (easier said than done!).

Good luck!

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