DH wants to rehome cats

[ButterMelonCauliflower]

We've had our 2 rescue Persians for 4 years, we think they're about 10 years old. One of them has always been a bit messy but in the past year it's just got worse and worse. She went missing 5 weeks ago and I have to say that although I missed her and did everything I could to find her, I was a bit relieved she'd gone. We found her yesterday, safe and well, and again I had mixed feelings!! The cats are now restricted to our kitchen/breakfast room because she poos everywhere. We've just had our second child and DH is seriously suggesting we rehome the cats. I really object on principle - we took them on and are responsible for them - but I'm at the end of my tether and it's starting to look an appealing option. I've told DH that if we get them rehomed that means no more cats ever and he says he doesn't care - he's sick of cleaning up poo. Anyone suggest anything?

[DustInTheWind]

What suggestions has the vet come up with?

[chockbic]

Are they wormed regularly?

Could be a food problem ie sensitive to ingredients.

[Floralnomad]

Do they both poo everywhere or just the one ?

[cozietoesie]

You might find it interesting to have a read of this.

What littering facilities do they currently have?

[ButterMelonCauliflower]

It's only one who's messy. We feed them Royal Canin Persian - it's the only thing she can vaguely stomach. She often has diarrhea and blood in her poo so I know she's not exactly healthy, but other food makes her worse. Every vet we've seen (they're all locums) just orders hundreds of pounds of tests and comes up with nothing. We've tried extra litter trays and feliway and we worm them.
Because she is long haired her bottom is very dirty and however much we trim and clean her she leaves poo prints whenever she sits down. She had a lion cut when we got her which helped a but, but seems a bit extreme!

[HansieLove]

So get a lion cut again. Does not matter if you think it extreme, it is better for her.

[Micah]

Has anyone brought up ibd? Only diagnosed by exclusion, unless you biopsy (which is expensive and pretty pointless).

Ours was is similar. We switched diet to a hypoallergenic formula. You can also try steroids which are very effective. Ours couldn't have steroids so was put on experimental metronidazole which cleared up the diarrhoea completely.

I'd get a different vet.

[clairewitchproject]

Our old cat had frequent diarrhea / bloody stools, and eczema - turned out she had become allergic to something in most catfood - we never were sure if it was wheat or chicken. She got on a lot better - her condition and toiletting improved hugely - when we switched her onto James Wellbeloved duck hypoallergenic cat food. Apparently because duck is very rarely used in catfood they don't get allergic, or something. Anyway it worked for us.

[MinimalistMommi]

Have you thought about switching to a raw food diet? The poos would be small and firm and only happen about every two to three days. So at least you would have 'wet' poo everywhere IYSWIM.

[CattyCatCat]

Agree about the raw food poos being compact and smallish. They do poo everyday though. That said, it does not smell much at all.