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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To give my cat away because he pees all over the house?

139 replies

Mousefunky · 09/05/2018 09:13

I have a 1.5 year old Tom cat, adopted at four months. He is neutered and well loved.

The problem is, he pisses everywhere. I have asked for advice from my vet numerous times and yes, he has been checked multiple times for UTI’s and even diabetes, all came back fine. All the vet says is it’s behavioural and she advised a few products to buy such as Feliway, catnip and spraying the urine off stuff all over, all of which I have done (and spent a fortune on...)

I have had to change an entire rooms flooring, throw numerous things away including some of my DC’s toys and clothes and have spent a fortune on cleaning products because of it. I am also four months pregnant and dreading the cat potentially peeing on the baby’s things too.

He is a house cat and always has been so I considered maybe he wanted to go outside and have tried putting him out a few times but all he does is cower and meow at the doorstep to come back in.

I am furious because today I found he had peed all over my new living room curtains Angry. I love him but I just can’t deal with this anymore. Does anyone have any advice or do I just need to admit defeat and give him away to a shelter?

OP posts:
MyOtherUsernameisaPun · 09/05/2018 10:06

I would try a litter tray in every room OP - just for a while, to break the habit. I would also try massive litter trays with high sides (not hooded) - basically a big plastic storage box that's at least a couple of feet long. It's a pain to begin with but it should help him. I'd also try and encourage him outside - try leaving the door open while you're in the garden so he feels safe coming and going, maybe also try feeding him outside (even just treats to begin with). Most peeing issues come from cats not being comfortable with their litter tray, or from general anxiety. If you can help with these issues he will probably improve.

No one will adopt him under the circumstances.

reetgood · 09/05/2018 10:06

Ours does this when he’s stressed - and also pukes (wonder why he was living outside :D). He’s just a sensitive soul. We’ve found the feliway plug ins (on each floor of house), plus a litter tray indoors as well as access to outside helps. Then if he does pee, biological washing powder solution to clean (breaks down the enzyme). You do sound like you’ve tried everything - is it worth trying one last thing, maybe open litter trays? Doing the one room thing before transitioning to wider area might help as well, for a nervous Cat. I’ve never pursued the anti anxiety supplement with ours as I figure getting it in him stresses him out more than the benefit! He’s a soppy and affectionate cat, I couldn’t give him up as if feel too guilty..

Bluelady · 09/05/2018 10:08

We had a rescue cat at one point. We specifically checked that he was house trained and were assured he was. He pissed and shat everywhere, including on my son's chest while he was asleep. We tried everything to no avail and ended up taking him back to the shelter. I sincerely hope he didn't get rehomed on the basis of them lying again.

ThisIsTheFirstStep · 09/05/2018 10:08

snappy They’re better behaved if you take them out regularly and spend a long time training them. But I’ve seen far more badly behaved dogs than well behaved ones.

Original poster
Mousefunky · 09/05/2018 10:08

He has dry and wet food. I have tried changing brand a few times but he has a brand he likes so we stick to that.

The issue with installing a flap (aside from it being yet another cost) is that he may not even use it... I can imagine him just ignoring it entirely, he isn’t the brightest spark Grin.

He was restricted to downstairs only for a while but he always finds somewhere to pee, e.g DP’s paperwork or my backpack, chargers, tablecloth, printer paper... he just can’t seem to stop.

I will try slowly introducing to outdoors.

DP and I do work FT Monday-Friday (I have wednesdays and school holidays off as I’m a FE tutor) so he is alone for a chunk of the day four days a week.

OP posts:
Tamingoftheglue · 09/05/2018 10:13

The issue with installing a flap (aside from it being yet another cost) is that he may not even use it... I can imagine him just ignoring it entirely, he isn’t the brightest spark

My girl won't go through a cat flap or a flap on a covered litter tray. We have to remove them before She'll go in.

NobodysChild · 09/05/2018 10:13

Try a raw diet and when he starts peeing everywhere, physically pick him up and deposit him outside. Cats like to have cover when venturing outside, i.e. planters next to the doorway, so they can stay hidden but sniff the air for other cats that maybe in the area. Now it's nice weather, try leaving the back door open so he can venture out if he wishes and come in again if he feels stressed or threatened. Also, pop him outside for toilet before bedtime and do the same, first thing in the morning. I have a patch of fine sand in my garden and my cats prefer to use this as a toilet rather than a litter tray.

thetemptationofchocolate · 09/05/2018 10:15

The enzyme cleaners are very good because they will really remove all traces of wee. Ordinary cleaners don't, and to the cat the place he has wee'd smells like his toilet, so he will wee there again.

Have you tried changing his litter tray to a bigger one? They like to have plenty of space in the tray and if he feels it is too small he will not use it.

DBoo · 09/05/2018 10:16

Watching out of interest. I have a dog that does the same. He is trained. Knows where to go when he needs the loo but when he is anxious or has been left downstairs for 5mins alone he pees on the sofa. Carpet. His own bed.

Our vet recommended adaptil plug ins or collar and seeing a behaviourist. The price to see the behaviourist is about the same as new carpet so it just doesnt seem worth the money when i cant think of anything we can do to make him stop.

Karen85 · 09/05/2018 10:17

I had the same problem with my cat i used feliway plug in diffuser for a few weeks and he stopped. To be honest im not sure if it was the diffuser or he just grew out of it but it's worth giving it a go

bluebell2017 · 09/05/2018 10:17

Not a cat owner, but saw a tv programme featuring an owner with just this problem a couple of weeks ago. It was on BBC, called Pet SOS and I believe it was episode 1. It is still available on iPlayer, if you want to look.
Basically, the solution seemed to be larger litter tray, finer litter and hiding the cat's food in toys to keep him entertained. Anyway, it worked immediately for the lady on the programme, so I think it must be worth a try?

Original poster
Mousefunky · 09/05/2018 10:17

Yes! My cat also wouldn’t use the flap on his hooded tray, I had to remove it in order for him to use it hence me thinking he wouldn’t quite grasp a cat flap. I will try leaving the back door open for a while and see if he roams around.

OP posts:
TomRavenscroft · 09/05/2018 10:18

I'd try putting him outside. From what Harriet says about her experience, it sounds like it will take a bit more work from you and your DP than sitting outside with him 'a few times'.

Coffeeonthesofa · 09/05/2018 10:19

My cat started doing this after our son was born weeing and pooing around the house.
Cue lots of visits to the vets, changed litter etc she was an older cat so at first we thought it was an age related thing. In the end the vet thought it was stress induced by the new baby. We tried for months keeping the cat and our son separate but it was tricky in a flat and the cat got even more stressed being confined when our son started crawling around. Ultimately after discussing the issue, yet again, with the vet we decided that an elderly cat who messed in the house and was clearly distressed was unlikely to be rehomed so we had her PTS. It was heartbreaking as she had been in my life longer than my DH but the final straw was our son crawling through cat poo.
Don’t pin your hopes on it being resolved if your cat spends more time outside, our cat spent a lot of time outside and also had a litter tray indoors but still weed and pooed.

pigmcpigface · 09/05/2018 10:19

My old cat (sadly now deceased) used to do this. I got him after he had been abandoned. He was formerly the pride and joy of the lady over the road, but when she had a child she lost interest in him and ended up leaving him when she moved house. He was always incredibly cuddly and needy for attention after that and I think weeing in the house was an expression of that. All of the usual things - cat flap, constantly cleaned litter tray, Feliway failed to help. In the end he just seemed to grow out of it as he felt more loved and secure.

I understand how annoying it is - I used to despair. But I think if you take an animal on, you take on their potential flaws and problems at the same time. Maybe see an animal psychologist.

Original poster
Mousefunky · 09/05/2018 10:20

I use the enzyme cleaners. It’s called urine off, my vet advised it. Have two feliway plug ins in upstairs hallway and kitchen, hadn’t worked. His litter tray is very big, he also has a slightly smaller uncovered one upstairs.

Will watch the programme, thanks Smile.

OP posts:
littlebillie · 09/05/2018 10:20

This is very unhygienic for you and the cat, this an outdoor cat only for you and for him. A vet would probably recommend keeping him out.

Lizzie48 · 09/05/2018 10:21

Yes, FASH84 has made a good point. Cats hate using a dirty litter tray, so you do need to be cleaning the trays regularly, as he's an indoor cat. Our cats mostly go outside so we don't have that problem thankfully. I also agree that you need to persevere with getting him to go outside.

We haven't had the problem of cats peeing in the house, but we've had them spraying in the past. We now have 2 Feliway plug-ins and it really has stopped that problem.

If you're prepared to persevere (only you can decide that), then you could read Vicky Halls's books on cat behaviour. Her book 'Cat Detective' is very helpful. There is a chapter devoted to this problem, as it's such a frequent problem.

Also, you need to limit the number of rooms he has access to, so at least there's less cleaning to do.

Thanks
spiderlight · 09/05/2018 10:21

There's a cat that sounds very like yours on this very good BBC programme: Nightmare Pets SOS who was completely cured with a few simple changes. Watch it and see if it helps.

Snappymcsnappy · 09/05/2018 10:21

Your dog probably has separation anxiety DBoo

Mummyoflittledragon · 09/05/2018 10:21

I was just about to say the same as bluebell. The cat stopped weeing everywhere. Litter tray was tall, more like a horse trough, double the length of the cat is actually the minimum they like with fine litter. The idea of hiding the toys and food is so that the cat doesn’t get bored and has to hunt as in the wild.

starkid · 09/05/2018 10:22

My mums cat used to do that (definitely peeing not spraying), but it was because he was showing who's boss to his brother cat who also lived there. Eventually my mum gave her friend the peeing cat and kept the brother, and both cats are now fine and not peeing everywhere.

However if he hasn't got a cat to compete with inside, and you've tried the room sprays etc. I'm a bit stumped.

FranticallyPeaceful · 09/05/2018 10:22

I used stakill and found it was the best deodoriser if you’re going down that route btw

Original poster
Mousefunky · 09/05/2018 10:25

I have left the back door open and he is stood about a foot away from it looking out Grin. He’s never been keen on going out. Last summer we let him roam around in the back garden a few times when we were out but he cowers and is afraid of every slight noise. I will persevere with it and see if it helps though.

we have tried numerous different litters over the past year but it hasn’t seemed to help.

Oh and I bought him one of the little mice that rolls around with food inside for Christmas, he didn’t quite grasp it Hmm.

OP posts:
Lizzie48 · 09/05/2018 10:27

Our cats when we were growing up used to do that. But in that case, my DM stubbornly refused to countenance having litter trays. She didn't like the smell. But the irony was that she was creating far more work for herself by having to clean up behind them. Grin