My (rescue) cats keep weeing in the same 4 places - why? How do I stop it?

[Katymac]

Cos they are on the way to being un-rescue

I clear it up (no bleach as that would encourage them) spray with feliway and it OK for a bit

Someone said feed them where they wee - but it isn't really practical long term - would it work short term?

We have:

Under my desk I know they love me but really
Kitchen worksurface

bump

How many litter boxes do you have and what litter do you use?

One - which they had at their old home

I use the sawdust/woodchip stuff but they generally go out

They occasionally poo in it, but rarely

You need one box per cat, plus one. I know that's grim, but it's a territorial thing for them and they rarely get on well with sharing.

I got something like Enzym. Can't remember the spelling and the shop I got it from has now closed . It is not so much about the cleaning part which is for your benefit, but about breaking down the residual cat-detectable "whiff" which makes them go back again and again. It does work. I haven't been able to get any of it recently and have lost several doormats to our nervous cat who was traumatised by the snow last winter

I would increase the number of litter trays so there is one per cat probably have an extra one as well.

Most cats(!) like privacy when "weeing" hence under your desk - does not explain the work top though!!!

What you need to do is make the litter box more attractive than the other areas so place it in a quiet location not near any noisey appliances etc change the litter every three days and empty out after each use eg the clumps.

To make the area where they pee less attractive I would fork out and buy a special cleaner from a pet shop to make sure all the smell is eliminated then put aliminuim foil in the area they are weeing. When they do wee in the correct area praise them.

This can take time and I do know you have other things taking up your time at the moment but I hope it does work out - I am really a dog person but had to study cat behaviour in a second year degree module so am very willing to be told by real cat owners that this is not a good idea but it is what the theory book says!

Well we won't have one then - it's not worth it.

The one we have is already in the way, they can use outside

3 is impossible unless I line them up in the lounge

Special cleaner - I can do that

Foil, what a sheet? maybe

I think they are jealous of the babies (baby changing mat)

Yup - you definantley need one box per cat absolutley! How often do you clear out the poo-tray as well? As this can affect how nervous they are to go in there. Cats are incredibly clean animals and from our experience if the poo-tray is not done at least every night she will start looking elsewhere.
We have a rescue cat too and it can take a long time for these little ones to settle in as a lot of them come from unahppy situations. So it maybe that your cats are settling in too.
I would also make sure that the cats get their time away from the childre - and that they have somewhere where they can go that they know is theirs to chill-out as stress can be a major factor to urinating around the house.
Good luck!

Why do you have a litter box on the deck? Does it get wet?

Oh

I clear the poo daily - they never wee in it

So 3 litter trays, one without a lid

Hmm

No Dh says definitely no

Damn

Umm foil you said

Definitely territorial= weeing in the same places is slightly convenient!!!

Are they girl or boy cats? Neutered or entire?

Try reading Cat confidential by Vicky Halls- there is loads of advice on territorial weeing in there.

Girls - neutered sisters

But one is so dominant the vet keeps calling her 'HE' and then picking her up and saying "oh no you're the butch one aren't you"

would it be horrendous to have a litter tray under your desk - then they could wee where they like but not on the floor - just a thought probably not a very good one!

this looks good

Where would my feet go??

I'd put a bowl of biscuits under your desk, and a second tray somewhere else in the house where they're going.

The other tray It doesn't have to stay there forever, but just until you break the habit. We had a cat recently who kept pooing in the bath overnight. I put the tray into the bath where she used to go, and she used the tray there for a week. Then I moved it gradually, day by day, from a space next to the bath across the room to where I wanted it, and she kept using it and didn't use the bath again.

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this when you have enough on your plate already.

I guess so - I'll give it a go

That website suggests washing down with washing powder so I have done that

I have moved everything off the 'danger areas' for the time being at least

Yup - and with the washing powder - make sure it's biological. The other stuff wont do anything.

I'd better check