My cats are misbehaving, help!

[Talulaley]

I have three cats and a dog. I split up from STBXH in December and moved into my own place with dd14 and the three cats and dog. The cats have been terrible since! Constantly on the kitchen work surfaces ... Scratching the carpet ... They used to go out and they can go out here, but it's a yard rather than garden and there's no cat flap. The litter trays smell when they've been in and I have to clean them immediately, so sometimes I clean them 6 times a day! My wheelie bin stinks of cat poo!

I'm in rented accommodation, so putting in a cat flap is not an option.

Any suggestions?

[JanetWeb2812]

Cat poo: down the loo.

[MagpieCursedTea]

Could they be a bit stressed about the move?
Try some things to lower their stress levels like feliway plug ins. If they're getting a bit bored without a garden to play in, make their environment more interesting. Things to climb on and play with, good luck!

[BertieBotts]

It sounds like they are just not used to the new house yet. They're not necessarily going to generalise not scratching the carpet in the old house to not scratching any carpet, and likewise with the kitchen counters. You'll just have to keep reinforcing the rules by interrupting them and removing them from the counters.

Wheelie bin smelling of poo - wrap the poo in newspaper and place in nappy bags/carrier bags before disposing, though I think a wheelie bin is normally a bit stinky.

[OTheHugeManatee]

Have you tried a Feliway spray or diffuser? It releases a synthetic smell that mimics the 'safe' hormone cats rub on places they want to mark as home. It can help cats to relax in a new environment.

[Talulaley]

Thanks for the replies.

I do use dog poop bags when I clean the litter tray. I currently have two litter trays - I really don't have room for four! - and I took the lids off, as one cat wasn't going in the litter tray properly and kept missing!

They have vertical and horizontal scratching areas and posts and I do have a feliway plug in. I try to play with them as much as I can, maybe need to involve dd more!

Their food is high meat, low grain, butchers classic.

Not sure I could replace the panel in the for, although it is upvc.

[Fluffycloudland77]

The White upvc panels pop out worryingly easy, you just tak the beading off. YouTube probably has a video showing you.

Plain replacement panel cost us £30 then we put a flap in that.

[StopLaughingDrRoss]

On the cat flap - why not speak to your landlord anyway? They'll know you have the animals so may be expecting the request? Mine were amazing really considering that I had a clause in my contract about NOT having pets. .. this was just amended and I then fitted the flap myself.

Does sound like they're just settling in though - but I bet it sucks.. Good luck

[RudeElf]

Put the cat poo in the toilet. I find the felight crystals (in the pink bag) the best litter for reducing odour. For your wheelie bin, i have a wheelie bin liner in the bin and cat litter goes into a sturdy bag like an asda 11p one and tied. So essentially once in the wheelie bin it is double bagged.

[Talulaley]

I've just checked the door and actually it's a glass panel

I'm worried about blocking the loo if I put cat poo with the attached litter down it. I haven't found wheelie bin liners, do they sell them in the supermarket?