Severe Depression over Making Decision About Our Kitty. Please Help.

I had this same problem. We had our cat checked and medically, there was absolutely nothing wrong. We had the basement professionally cleaned on top of all the cleaning we did. They used a special formula that should have been good for dealing with cat pee. Nothing worked. I was pregnant with my first child at the time and perhaps that was what my cat was upset about. That was to be a play area though for my baby. I cried and cried and cried over what to do. I did in the end find a loving family for our cat and one with other cats. He loves it there and while I miss him terribly, he seems to be doing great there and we got new carpet so now our baby can crawl and be happy in a clean basement. It was the hardest thing I have ever had to do...but it was the best for my growing family. Good luck in your situation. Whatever you have to do will work out.

Hi A.,
It sounds like you are doing all the right things. The only other suggestions I have are 1) if kitty is only going in the basement, can you close off the basement so kitty can't get down there? 2) Have you tried putting the litter box in the area kitty seems to like to pee? 3) I would definitely discuss the issue with your vet- they may have more suggestions or there may be some sort of med they could give kitty to help with the stress.
Good luck!

Hi, A.,

It wasn't totally clear to me from your message - do you have a litter box set up in the basement? We had a kitty pee problem, and the solution was putting a box in a more accessible place, closer to where she WANTED to pee. We weren't thrilled with having to set a box up in our guest bathroom downstairs, but kitty was much happier once we did, and for now we're keeping it there. So if you haven't taken the step of setting up a box down there (even if that makes three boxes in the house), then I recommend trying that.

As for kitty stress, do you let your kitty go outside? We started letting our cat outside more often, and having the outdoor, child-free option seems to have made a big difference in her stress level. Killing a few voles has also given her a lot of kitty self-esteem. (Gruesome, but true.)

Anyway, those are my suggestions based on my family's experience. We love our cat, but I know how you feel. They're another kid - and they have their issues too, sometimes when you feel like it's the last thing you need on your plate.

Good luck,
H.

A.,

Male cats can be very territorial and like you said, this could be Busby's way of claiming his "spot" in the house (otherwise known as marking his territory) and possibly competing with the baby. If nothing else has worked to fix this problem, the only other thing that I know to be effective in taking care of this problem is to have Busby neutered.

I know some pet owners don't like this idea, but unless you are breeding or want your cat to produce more kittens for your home, it really is the healthiest thing to do for your cat. Here is an article about cat neutering that I hope you will find helpful- http://www.buzzle.com/articles/what-are-the-benefits-of-c... .

I hope everything works out for you, I understand how you feel, I have 3 girl cats that are 9 and I've had them since they were 6 weeks old, I don't know what I'd do without them. They are all spayed by the way. My mom has a bobtail cat and she eventually had to have him neutered for the same problem that you are having, and after she did I don't believe she had anymore problems with the spraying. Good luck with whatever you decide to do...

A.

A.,

I'm with the responders who suggested putting the litter box where kitty WANTS to pee; and make it an immaculate, full of litter box, too.

My cats like the litter deep, and it actually makes for easier scooping, too.

Another suggestion: Try a litter called, "CAT ATTRACT"

It DOES work. Of my 4 cats (we were at 6 cats & a dog at one time), one was very close to our dog... when our dog died, one cat acted out by peeing on the carpet on the landing to the basement. Wound up, a few months later, he did have kidney stones, but nothing then, you know? He just missed his buddy.

After the surgery, we moved, and he started the peeing again. Nothing worked... like you, we spent hundreds of dollars on Nature's Miracle - we just poured it out of the gallon jugs onto the carpet! Forget spraying it! Well, it didn't work. A professional carpet cleaner treated it, it didn't work... we moved again, about 15 months after being in that house, b/c the landlord put that house on the market...

This house, same thing. Except, a friend told me about Cat Attract.

I actually bought new litter boxes (one in basement, where this cat just chooses not to go - must be too lazy to travel to the basement), and one in my upstairs bathroom, so it's basement, then nothing on ground floor, then one in upstairs)

Bought giant boxes, no lids, as recommended in the booklet that comes in every bag of Cat Attract. Filled them deep with the new litter, then the next morning, had a carpet cleaner come in and treat/clean the carpets, treating heavily the peed-upon spots the cat favored.

It worked! He loves this litter! I do scoop AT LEAST 2x a day, when I get up in the a.m., and when I go to bed, and I also scoop when I go upstairs to change or get something, if I notice that I can see clumps... who would want to squat in a dirty box???

I praise him & give him a kitty treat when I see him in there.

Anyway, I feel your pain, girlfriend! Hope all works out for your family, and both you and the cat are happy!

There are lots of great tips & hints in the booklet that comes in every bag of Cat Attract, as well as a coupon for a dollar off the next bag. I remember one of the tips is to be sure the food/water is far away from the litter box (would you want to eat so close to your bathroom??) love that one, and was guilty of having the bowls within 5 feet of the litter box way back when. It's not about convenience for the humans, it's thinking like a cat, and putting it where it makes sense! Or, is it near a washer/dryer or water heater or the HVAC unit, so it scares kitty when he's in the box?

Weird, but I can't find Cat Attract at very many pet store retailers! Wegmans has it, tho. The smaller bag, which gets me about 10 days with 4 cats/ 2 litter boxes, is $11.99,and the 40# bag is I think, $24 -- found it in Newtown, PA when I had to drive 30 mins to a pet store b/c Wegman's was out (they only carry the smaller bag)... the PetSmart in Newtown doesn't carry it, but the dogs & cats rule store does...

anyway... let us know how you & Busby make out!

GOOD LUCK!