What to Do with My Cat? - Minneapolis,MN

A 10 year old cat with diabetes dropped off at the Humane Society will be euthanized immediately - she would not be considered adoptable. If you choose to have her killed at least have the guts to take her to the vet and have her euthanized so she dies peacefully - and hold her while she goes. You owe her that for her years of being a loyal pet.

She did not ask to become old and ill. She did not ask to be ignored when she was trying to alert you and your husband that she was ill. And your husband, who spends time in the basement didn't notice the pee on the sofa - really? Come on - most likely he just didn't want to deal with it either.

Bring the cat inside - you can't kick a 10 year old, diabetic cat outside - that is cruel. And bewildering for the cat I am sure.

Clean the sofa or trash the damn thing - its an object not a living breathing pet.

I get that it is maddening when pets destroy our things - I live with 4 dogs and 3 cats. Things get peed on, shoes get chewed, etc. But we chose to have pets - the animals don't chose to have us. As a pet owner you have a responsibility that lasts for the lifetime of the pet.

3 moms found this helpful

Honestly, it's just a sofa and she will continue to urinate where she already has gone. Vinegar and water hide the smell most of the time, but you really will want to get rid of the couch, regardless of the cost to replace. It's not really good for anyone to use it now-the smell won't go away and it's pretty ruined. She will continue to use it as a litter box till it's gone.

I have cats and have had them for years...currently have 3. I had a male with urinary stones, he pee'd all over a matress and I didn't know it. I tossed the mattress and did what I could to get him better.

I'm sorry to say this publicly, but animals shouldn't just be disposed of because they are not convenient to have. You made a commitment in the beginning, this kitty isn't young by any stretch and she now has health issues. I have a female with severe allergies-she blows gross snot rockets in my house-I just clean them up. My other female has a luxating patella, we will keep her going till she can't get around.

Lastly, outside cats can expect an 80% reduction to their length of life...thats a cruel option. Trash the sofa....it's only money and you can't take it with you, material possessions are just that-material.

2 moms found this helpful

I think at this point you will have to get rid of the couch. I know it is $omething you do not want to hear, but you are right; NO ONE will want to sleep there. If you can smell it an outside person can smell it better/more than you. Can you imagine her urinating on your bed and you cleaning it up and sleep there. When a person lays down, their nose will be right there and trust me, the smell will be soooo over-coming, they may become ill....
Since she is a diabetic, it will be hard for her to become an outside cat; especially here where we live. This summer is hot, I bet this winter will be nasty. She will not know to come home when her sugars are off and that will happen when her hunting is off this winter. I think she will die outside once the weather turns. She is technically over middle age and is an "old lady" in cat years; especially that she has an illness... I think you will find a hard time placing her. If you really love and and want ti keep her; you will just have to close off the basement and keep her up-stairs.

2 moms found this helpful

Do you have a door to the basement that can be shut to keep her out? If not, I would donate the couch somewhere and replace it after you know she is going in the litter box. If that is not an option, try putting a litter box ON the couch where she pees. Chances are, she will use it. Once that goes well, move the litter box to the floor right by the couch. Once that goes well, keep moving the litter box slowly to where you want it to be. Be sure to have 2 or 3 litter boxes in different areas of the house, so one is always near by. Keep them CLEAN. That is my best advice.
S.

1 mom found this helpful

Hi, I went through a similar thing with my cat when I was 7 mos pregnant too.
SCOE 10x was what cleaned up the area she peed in..did a great job, but was very labor intensive for the couches. (I did all the work myself).

Our cat did not have medical problems, but I felt she had territory issues with the older dominant cat. So, in that case our story differs. I did find a farm for her to live on and she is happy. I took her to the vet for all her last shots before she went to her new home. I was sad and crying and the Dr assured me I was making a good choice for her.

Maybe you can find her a new home (place an ad? or look for an animal rescue instead of a shleter), or you could arrange for her to live outside of your house year round. Maybe If you give your hubby some time, he will be willing to spend the $$ and give your cat another go in the house. It's tough as she needs shots. I would try talking to your husband again and see if he is willing to put some $$ towards outdoor living arrangements for her. Just let him know you want her to spend her last years in comfort.

HTH, it's a hard situation to deal with.

1 mom found this helpful

You will probably have to toss out the couch. The pee has absorbed into the cushions and won't come out.
As far as the cat is concerned leaving her outside is cruel. She is a domesticated animal and shouldn't be forced to live outside. Call your vet and ask if maybe the vet can find a home for her.

I have to say I agree completely with the PP. She's an old cat who peed on the couch because she has a health problem. She more than likely won't make it outside, harsh winters or no, because it's very likely that at some point her sugar will become unbalanced and she won't be able to make it home. It'll also be difficult to place her due to her health problem and age. Generally people want cute little kittens and even those are hard to place because there are so stinking many of them.
As for the couch, you may just have to replace it. My father-in-law has had his carpet professionally cleaned countless times since the last time he had a cat and I still can't stand to sleep in the back bedroom. If it is salvageable (or you get a new one) then you need to figure out a way to keep the kitty away from that art of the house.
I know it sucks to have an animal that isn't behaving itself and I know that pregnancy (at least for me) made every problem seem just that much worse. Good luck. Try not to be mad at your kitty, she really couldn't help it.

there are cat shelters-you will never get the smell out of your couch-i went thru the same thing-nothing worked-cat pee is by far the worst.you just might be doing her a favor by putting her to sleep at this point-her health will only get worse as time goes on.and nobody is going to want to adopt a cat that has spendy health problems.you could try craigs list.make sure your clear about her health.as far as the couch-toss it-also she knows your mad at her.so shes rebelling.good luck...ps its not her fault shes sick.

I think you'll have to ditch the couch. With that much cat urine, the smell won't come out. Even if you can clean it to the point where YOU don't smell it anymore, the cat can and will go back there.

We had a cat who from time to time would use the dining room carpet as an alternate to the litter box. We found a device that kept her out of the room. There were two parts -- a small box with a sensor and a collar for her. When she got within several feet of the box (you can set the range), a loud alarm would beep. She hated it, and it kept her out of the room. And we knew whenever she tried to go in there. It was called a high tech pet sound barrier.

With all her health issues, it would probably be difficult to find another home for her. At 10 years old, she probably wouldn't adjust well to a change. If you can't find her a loving home, then you should continue to love her and care for her for her few remaining years.

put her on Craigs list, ask at church, or call a vet in a small town to see if they can hook you up with someone.

I would get rid of the couch. Even if you have it professionally cleaned it is still gross. It would be one thing if she peed on it once...but over and over again. I wouldn't want to sleep on it!
Please don't get mad at the cat. She was sick. It's not like she was trying to ruin the couch. I realize you are stressed and it is a very busy time in your life but don't make any rash desicions regarding your cat...you may regret it later.
Good luck!

I agree, if possible, just keep her out of the basement. You might also talk to her vet and see if she has any ideas. and Sarah at www.tomatonation.com usually has great advice about cat issues, if you want to ask over there.

Try SimpleSolution on the couch. I've used it for my cat and dog. It's enzyme based so it does remove the urine from the fabric. After the couch dries, if it still smells, you need to redo it.
You can also use it on the childrens clothes, like when the diaper leaks and food stains. Simple Solution is the same product as Totally Toddlers, just branded differently.

My husband and I went through this recently. We had our cat for 12 years, and during his last 3 years he sprayed along the hallway wall from one end to another. Nothing at all would deter him. We tried every trick in the book. Had it professionally cleaned and that did nothing either. Then I read that soap used to "clean" cat urine, brings out the ammonia scent which cats hate which makes them spray on it more to try and cover the ammonia smell. Didn't want to replace the carpet and have him spray on new carpet, couldn't find anyone to take a cat that sprays, but loved him way too much to take him to the humane society or have him put to sleep. After years of a love/hate relationship with this cat he one day, suddenly, went into kidney failure with no prior diabetes and was in so much pain we had him put down. My husband finally got the smell out of the carpet, but every so often I'll catch a whiff of it and it's been 10 months without the cat now. So the moral of this story I guess is that no matter what you do the cat won't stop spraying and the smell won't come out of the couch. Since she is an outdoor cat, trying a farm is probably your best bet, but if she comes in contact with a predator, it will sense that she is sick and could really maul her. If it were me, since she already has diabetes and is peeing outside of the box, I would probably put her down then. It will be hard - be prepared, but everyone will be at peace then. Especially with a second child on the way...you need as much peace as you can get. Before you have her put down though, if that is what you choose, get a clay child's handprint kit and make an imprint of her paw and write her name in the clay with a toothpick as a special remembrance of her. Good luck!

Throw out the couch and find your cat a new (patient, loving) home, or hold her while she is put to sleep. As a former farm girl - a diabetic cat is not a farm or outdoor cat. She would die there soon. A humane society would also put her to sleep immediately. I would take care of this before your baby is set to arrive.