What to do about my first two “boys”... dilemma!

[Beeperbird]

I’ve got two boys, from the same litter - they’re 7 years old now. They have FIV so when we rescued them we were advised to keep them as house cats.
For the first 5 years of their lives they lived in peaceful luxury... then our son came along!
First 6 months were fine but when he started moving and crawling they started getting angry, not with him but with each other. At one point they couldn’t be in the same room as each other without fighting... and properly fighting, one nearly ripped the ear off the other
Cue visits to vets and they are now on Zylkene which has helped a lot... our son is now 2 and they fight maybe once a day but without injuries other than the occasional tiny scratch. And they will happily sleep / relax in the same room when it suits them.
The problem is now that I’m about to pop with our second baby. Cats are very aware that the baby stuff has been slowly coming out (have been doing it slowly but surely) and obviously remember what happened last time and are showing their displeasure by weeing on things!!! this is the first time they’ve been upset enough to wee elsewhere than the litter box.
I love them to bits (well, one of them at least!.. the other has become my DHs cat and doesn’t like me anymore) and have no idea what to do next. We’ve had them checked out at vets and no illness that would mean they should be weeing everywhere.
I’m feeling like I can’t cope with a tantruming toddler, a new born and cat piss all over the house!!
I don’t know if it would be fairer on them to try and get them a nice quiet home somewhere (but is anyone actually gonna take on two FIV cats?) and maybe they should be separated anyway?!
Any tips, tricks or advice welcome

You could try rubbing them both (maybe one cloth each) with a cloth on their cheeks and head to pick up their scent and then rubbing the cloth on the new items you are bringing in...I read once that this may help them feel comfortable and that their space has not been invaded

Do you live in a flat or house? Just wondering how much space there is for cats to stay away from the kids if they want to. Do you have any outside space you could catproof for them?

If it comes to rehoming, there are some really good charities who will be fine with the FIV. If you PM me with where in the country you are, I can suggest some.

Thanks @bionicnemonic
I’ve been spraying the new items with feliway but I’ll try their own scent as well

@viccat
I’ve got a 3 bed house... and cats have full access to all rooms. during the day my son stays downstairs (stair gate on). We’ve also got two floor to ceiling cat trees downstairs and high shelving they can use to get around without having to go near my son!
We keep considering cat proofing part of the garden but looks likely we’re going to have to move in 6 months time so don’t want to spend a lot of money now. Certainly when we’re in our “forever” home we’ll do that!

Outdoor cat pen? Like a chicken coop but for cats you can pop them in for a time out

And take it with you when you move so ideal for moving day set it up pop them in sort the house out

There is no strong evidence that FIV positive cats need to be keep inside. They are only a risk to neighbourhood cats if they have really vicious, blood-drawing fights. And neutered cats generally don't do that. FIV positive cats can live all their lives with negative cats without passing it on. So really, unless you think they are likely to have a lot of fights, I wouldn't worry.

The advice to keep them inside is a bit outdated. Many years ago (20 or so) it was a knee jerk reaction (as was the routine euthanasia of FIV cats). We now know that it isn't nearly as catching or as dangerous an illness as was originally thought.

Indeed most FIV cats seem to suffer no ill effects whatsoever from their status and end up dying of the normal diseases of old age. I've had loads do this.

And being outside is no more of a risk to an FIV positive cat than it is to a negative one.

So, as long as you don't live near a dangerous road, I would let them out.

celiahammond.org/index.php/faqs/fiv-cats

** kept

If feliway doesn't work. Try pet remedy, it's cheaper and I found it worked better with my two.

Everything catneuterer said, absolutely, that's such good advice. Your cats will be happier and you'll be happier.