Don’t know what to do about my cats. ☹️

[MadameFantabulosa]

Have one old boy, who is now 13. Rescued a kitten 18 months ago. There has been no love but they will sit together quite amicably. In the past few weeks the kitten has been attacking the old boy when he uses his box. So he has been quite stressed and has been peeing and pooping on our bed or the sofa. I don’t know why she has started to do this. They have three boxes between them. I am just so sorry for him. I think the only way we are going to get round this is to rehome the kitten. We have Feliway wafting around the house, I spray her with water if it looks like she is going to attack him, and hold her, if I am around, when I hear him using his box. Any ideas?

Do they have equal access round the home or does your old boy tend to gravitate to a certain area of the house? If so could you relocate one of the litter trays to the area he is happiest and is seen as his territory?

Just a suggestion as having recently rehomed two sisters we had a few scratching posts and mats and one of them wasn't using one and was scratching other things 🙄 I've moved it to an area of the house which is more her territory and she's now using it and her sister uses the other one.

I think we forget how territorial cats can be and it may be your kitten views the litter box as theirs and doesn't want to share 🤷

Watch jackson galaxy videos on you tube. He's really good with behavioral advice.

Perhaps if they are indoor cats they are just stressed?

Do either of them go outside?
Could you try an enclosed litter tray so your older boy has privacy?

Might something like this work? www.surepetcare.com/en-gb/advice-news/pet-tech/alternative-uses-microchip-cat-flap

Thank you for your help! They are indoor cats but have access to a large balcony. The kitten (she’s not a kitten any more but she will always be known as the kitten!) has lots of toys and things to climb on. I’ve moved one of the litter trays to another room, and this seems to be working better - by the time the kitten has realised that he’s using his box, he’s finished.

With hindsight rescuing the kitten wasn’t a good idea (she was found in the road with her sister when their Mum had been run over), and I probably should have rescued her and then rehomed her. But the old boy has liked cat company in the past.

If giving your older boy privacy is helping I would definitely have a look at those enclosed litter trays so he can do his business out of sight of the kitten.

Don't feel bad about rescuing the kitten - you did a good deed! In my experience cats can be contrary little buggers when they're young but most do grow out of it as they settle down and mature a bit.

Maybe try and do some concentrated/focused play with kitten too to make sure she burns off as much energy as possible away from your older boy.