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Is Cat wee dangerous to children? Cat has weed all over 2 yr olds toys

32 replies

whensmydayoff · 01/10/2009 14:17

Yes, disgusting I hear you cry!
We moved house recently and the cat has been used to getting in and out a cat flap. Here we have no where to put a flap because all glass.
Didn't want a smelly cat tray in the house so we put her out at night and let her in, in the day and try to let her out now and then inbetween.
Obviously this plan hasn't worked as I have just had my friend in with her 2 yr old and they were happily playing with the toys all morning and when they left and I tidied up, I realised the box and toys were soaking wet and stinking of cat wee . The horrible cat has used the toy box like a tray.
I know cat poo is dangerous but is cat wee?
Toys now soaking (batteries and all, in boiling water and milton steriliser.
Cat is on e-bay!

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Lonicera · 01/10/2009 14:23

Poor cat

get a litter tray or leave a window open

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l39 · 01/10/2009 14:40

You are joking about soaking the batteries I hope??

I think you'd be a lot worse off if it had been rat urine, which transmits Weil's disease. Cats do have toxoplasmosis but (except in pregnancy) it's not such a threat, or no one would keep cats.

Might be an idea to ask a doctor or vet.

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whensmydayoff · 01/10/2009 14:53

139 unfotunately Im not joking about the batteries .
It was a box of Happyland stuff and I totally forgot the little police station and post office etc had bells and noises until I threw them in the bath and strange drowning bells started sounding!
Im going to have to get a screwdriver once they are dry. Silly cow.
I am Pregnant and I moved the box this morning and saw water and asummed DS had threw his cup in there as per the norm.
I can't remember if my hands got wet. Im so worried now .
I knew folk would say 'poor cat'. Right now she is lucky she is not in the bath with the toys.

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mathanxiety · 01/10/2009 18:32

You need a cat box, and quick, and maybe some new toys, plus a toybox with a lid. I have a cat who thinks clothes on the floor are really an open invitation for her, so you have my sympathies. Nip this habit in the bud, though, or the cat will get used to it. If the cat's scent remains on the toybox or the toys it may well continue using it.

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Ponders · 01/10/2009 18:34

I think cat wee is merely stinky, not toxic - has the cat been wormed recently?

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FabBakerGirlIsSURVIVED · 01/10/2009 18:35

Take the batteries out now and bin them.

Let the toys dry out completely before you put new batteries in.

TBH I am not surprised she weed in the box. Cats need to be able to go when they need to go. The cat hasn't done anything wrong, you didn't provide her with somewhere to go to the toilet so she found her own.

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differentID · 01/10/2009 18:37

you can get covered cat litter trays you know that have a charcoal filter? they normally only stink when the litter isn't cleared out and changed. Poor kitty cat, must have been desperate.

Make sure though that the toy box is completely cleaned or the cat may go back there again.

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PinkTulips · 01/10/2009 18:38

it's harmless enough, urine is generally sterile so you should all be safe enough.... although annoyed and smelly.

you do need to get her a tray though, it's simply unfair not to as if she's caught short she has no option but to find somewhere to pee in the house, and trust me she's probably as unhappy about it as you are.

if she's used to going out she'll barely use the tray, only in emergancies so it shouldn't be too much trouble to clean.

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careergirl · 01/10/2009 20:53

She's actually a good girl for trying to find somewhere to wee rather than just doing it on the floor/carpets. Cats are usually clean and she will only have done this out of desperation. Its going to be a litter tray or general access outdoors I'm afraid. Sods law it was the kids toybox though and I do sympathise as cat wee is really vile.

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whensmydayoff · 02/10/2009 09:03

Calmer this morning - I know it wasn't the cats fault. There is nowhere to put the tray in this house (renting). It's got cream carpets everywhere and is all a bit open planned so DS would be playing in it with his diggers!
I have however googled cat urine/infection and for everyone's info with cats - it IS dangerous to humans. If the kids got it on their hands and then put hands near mouth/eyes (every chance) they can pick up an infection called something like listrporosis (cant remember exactly). It causes all sorts of symptoms in the first place, within 2 days-4 weeks then the secondery infection can cause meningitis and kidney failure. Now we just have to watch they don't get ill in the next 4 weeks and if they do they will need treated with anti biotics. It didn't say how effective the treatment was but there's no point worrying about it now, just have to watch them.
I have to admit (sorry cat lovers), it's put me right off having cats around small children. Im sick of the poo in the garden, it makes me nervous. Anyone want a lovely natured black cat - usually house trained, honest?!!

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MrsMagnolia · 02/10/2009 10:29

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

FabBakerGirlIsSURVIVED · 02/10/2009 18:12

Are you serious about giving you cat away?

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whensmydayoff · 03/10/2009 14:57

Thanks MrsMagnolia but I don't think the landlord would like a catflap in his conservatory! There really is no where in this house. Im just trying to keep on top of letting her out for now and if I leave the house she is put out.
FabBakerGirlIsSURVIVED If I could find a nice home for her - yes, we are in middle of a house build and are moving again within a year. The cat has went from being 'the baby' to 'that pain in the ass cat'.

Ducks to avoid backlash of animal lovers.

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whensmydayoff · 03/10/2009 14:58

Oh and thanks mrsmagnolia, that makes me feel better than you have survived cat pee!!

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vinblanc · 03/10/2009 15:01

I remember when we moved house, the cat wee'd over all sorts of things. Things we anguished about chucking before we moved were very easily released after the move .

If the cat has wee'd over plastic toys, just chuck them in the dishwasher.

Obviously everything needs to be washed.

The toxoplasmosis is an issue with cat poo, but it is only dangerous if the cat gets it and you are unexposed and in your first trimester. The odds are pretty small. It is not dangerous to non-pregnant adults and children. In fact, exposure will prevent you having to worry int he future.

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FabBakerGirlHasHadEnough · 03/10/2009 15:29

With all the upheaval I am not surprised you cat has become unhappy.

Please give her to a rescue place who will look after her properly and not see her as a pain.

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DrNortherner · 03/10/2009 15:34

If she has no litter tray and no access to the outdoors then what do you expect her to do when she needs to pee?

Rehome her, you clearly don't want her.

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whensmydayoff · 03/10/2009 16:19

Ugh here we go.
I wouldn't give her to a cat rescue. I would need to know who I was giving her to and if I thought they were suitable.
I said "if I could find a nice home".
I also said, I am trying to keep on top of letting her out and have no access.
I ALSO said " I know it wasn't her fault".
Bloody hell, the issue was the 2 yr olds splashing around in fresh cat piss and THEIR safety. Not the cat.
If it makes the folk worried about the cat feel better - even when we let her out at night, my DH has lined the hut with Kingspan insulation, put a catflap in it and she has a furry hooded bed and some cat biscuits.
The cat is not unhappy and we have ran all the plans of the newbuild by her and she is pleased with the layout !
Thanks for everyone's elses reassuarance re the children.

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IdrisTheDragon · 03/10/2009 16:48

Our cat has weed in unfortunate places during the 9 years we have had her. We are all fine. Although I sympathise as cat wee smells yuck.

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DrNortherner · 03/10/2009 17:56

You also said the cat is on ebay, she is lucky she is not in the bath with teh toys,its put me right off having cats, and called her a pain in teh ass cat.

I'd rather be in a rescue shelter tbh.

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FabBakerGirlHasHadEnough · 03/10/2009 18:00

If you thought they were suitable.

OMG.

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itsmeolord · 03/10/2009 18:14

oh leave the op alone. I've said I'll put the cat on ebay before when it had pooed in the middle of the kitchen floor and I've stood in it.

I've also said she has put me off having cats and called her a pain in the arse.

Doesn't mean I don't want her or that I'm a bad owner.
It just mean I was temporarily pissed off with the "present" that I had found. Or temporarily pissed off with the ripped shirt she used as a scratch post etc etc.

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Kerrymumbles · 03/10/2009 18:19

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

itsmeolord · 03/10/2009 18:23

Weils Disease Kerrymumbles. It's near the top of the thread love.

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ComeOveneer · 03/10/2009 18:27

I have 2 cats, have had them since they were kittens, pre children. We have lived in several different properties, with and without outside access (catflaps, covered litter boxes etc)

Mine have wee'd for no apparent reason in the playroom (and nowhere else) despite having access to a more appropriate place, so I do think it can be a sign of protest/displacement in the "family" hierachy etc.

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