At wits' end with peeing cat

[horseyhorsey17]

I've found myself in a really difficult position and don't know what to do. I inherited my sister's cat when she got divorced - I was supposed to look after her for a few weeks, but then my sister didn't want her back and I ended up keeping her. The reason my sister didn't want her back was because the cat has a behavioural issue and pees everywhere - carpets, doormats, basically anything soft that is left on the floor. Or is the floor. There is nothing wrong with her, I've had her checked more than once, but it's a behavioural thing. The cat is now 15 and I've recently moved house and the peeing has escalated. She has ruined all the carpets in my new house and it's got to the point where she's literally shut out of everywhere to stop her peeing on the soft furnishings, meaning she's basically allowed in the hall, bathroom and kitchen. I'm a single mum and just can't afford to keep replacing everything. I can't have any mats - even a doormat - as she pees on them repeatedly. No deterrent sprays or Feliway etc make any difference. She also won't go outside any more, so has to have a dirt box, and both my dogs eat the poo - and fight over it! One of them hurt the other over it quite badly last week and needed vet's treatment. I'm honestly at my wits' end with this. I don't think anyone will want an elderly incontinent cat, but on the other hand, my environment with the dogs and kids is clearly too noisy and stressful for her. At the moment, I am contemplating forking out £850 to retire her to a cat's retirement home in Lincs - even though I don't have £850 spare. I couldn't have her put down - my daughter would never forgive me. Has anyone got any suggestions at all (bar taking her to the vet, I've done that and there isn't anything wrong that's causing the peeing)? HELP!

You've tolerated that much longer than I would have. If your sister won't take her back I personally would peacefully put her to sleep.Her life doesn't sound super fulfilling being stuck in the hall,bathroom and kitchen.....

Sorry - I don't really have any advice to offer but I didn't want to read and run because this is literally my life too and like you I don't really know what to do.

Our situation is slightly different in that we have two cats, brother and sister and have had them since kittens. For the first 10 or so years of their life they were fab cats. Very much part of the family. Always slept on our beds etc. But then they hit about 11 and everything changed. The male cat became very aggressive to his sister and regularly pins her down and attacks her for no reason - its not nice to see. He is bigger than her and relentless. We have no idea what started it but the behaviour change has caused her to pee in the house - no doubt because she is worried. It started out just happening when he attacked her. Then became more often. Now I find at least one pee and often a poo daily. And I'm not even sure that it is all her - I think that he is doing it too now and given other behaviours I think he might have some kind of dementia issue.

They are 13 - so old but not ancient. Previously always healthy moggies. Vet checks have said nothing wrong and its behavioural and that sometimes elderly cats that previously got along well can fall out in old age. They have a cat flap so can come and go.

We have tried everything. Diet changes. Special Feliway plug ins. Sprays etc. Nothing has worked. They have been confined to just living in the utility room now for about 2 years. We have a daily routine where I have to wash one or sometimes two turtle mats daily and clear up poo from the floor or the side.

Honestly it is not fun, and if we didn't have a utility room I would have had to change something before now as the stress would be too much. I had days when they still had the run of the house where I would get home and just cry at the damaged they'd caused to carpets etc and how much work it caused clearing up. I do still love them but honestly they don't really factor in family life any more. When they had the run of the house we would find pee and poo everywhere - on our beds, corners of carpet, chairs ruined, mats, on bags - at least now they are just in the utility I can cope with the mess. But I can't leave anything at all in the utility. Literally anything left there they will pee or poo on. They have even gone in the washing machine or tumble dryer if the door is left open... Looking forward I wonder if I should rehome one of them and hope that the change in circumstances stops the behavioural problem of the other and gives the rehomed cat a second chance. I would love to be able to have a clean cat in the house again but it feels like we have forgotten what that feels like.

I had no idea that there was a retirement home for cats! My thoughts before have always been that I couldn't rehome because who wants an incontinent cat... But wow - £850!

In your position, I would try rehoming to a rescue though. If the vet says it is behavioural then perhaps a change in lifestyle would help them. Either way, it is no life for you and given that it wasn't your cat in the first place I wouldn't hesitate to do it. I know first hand how much stress it puts on the whole household. Have an honest chat with your DD and explain that it is no life for the cat to be shut away all the time and that there are other options. Maybe call a local rescue and put the cat on their books if they are willing but keep the cat at home until a new owner can be found? Knowing that any day you could get a call to say a new home has been found will help clear your head as to whether you can let them go or not.

Sorry - that was long. Good luck @horseyhorsey17 and do PM me if you need a cat rant!

Sorry, no advice from me either, but just to say I'm in a similar position with a young rescue. My house smells pretty fruity now :(

I could not tolerate this. I'm not sure what the best solution is but I'd speak to the vet about options.

Thank you! I feel quite reassured that at least I am not an evil cat hater for wanting my home not to be pissed all over by a cat I got landed with in the first place. I will try a cat rescue, although they probably won't have her.

Our 10 year old cat is similar. Always done this. Thankfully we've got a big house and she doesn't wee much upstairs (think it's because she sleeps up there) so downstairs we just have to keep certain doors closed and can't leave fabric stuff lying around etc.
It is a pain though.
She is quite overweight and to be honest I don't envisage her living too long past 15 so we can cope until then.
But yes, I'm with you.