Help! Talk me down from not liking my foster cats + practical advice needed

[largeprintagathachristie]

I'm into day two of having two foster cats to stay. And I feel a bit panicked that I've done the wrong thing. I was told that they were a bonded pair, friendly and litter trained, and that their owner was in hospital, hence urgent. The owner sadly passed away yesterday.

The cats are 13. They have been indoor only, and I guess this could well be the only time they've been in a different environment. I expected hiding, and we definitely have that; they're completely shut down. One's currently under the bed and the other squeezed miserably into a completely tiny spot behind a cupboard.

What I didn't expect:
They're fighting with each other. Hissing and spitting if they cross paths.
Also didn't expect weeing and pooing outside of the two litter trays. This is the one thing I promised my non-cat-orientated partner was very unlikely would happen. One cat had also pooed in his carrier on the way to be dropped off here and I couldn't keep hold of him long enough to clean him properly. The flat smells. And I probably shouldn't have said yes to two cats in a flat.

It sounds dramatic, but I've got a few issues going on, both physical health and emotional, and I just feel upset and like such a failure. This is so different from how it was going to be in my head! (I've fostered once before and that was a dream; I ended up adopting her and she lived for 14 years after that.)

I set up a bathroom for the cats to feel safe in, but it has no windows and I kept the door ajar in case they wanted to explore. Should I find them both and put them back in there with the door shut and light on? (with litter tray, their blankets from home, food, water etc.)

I'm also wondering about ringing the rescue place and just saying it isn't working (for which I feel terrible). One of my health issues is spinal, and while I had factored in cleaning the litter tray, I hadn't expected, perhaps naively, to be kneeling down dealing with accidents outside of that.

The rescue people didn't know anything about the cats. They are checking for vet records. The cats are chunky males, I think possibly un-neutered.

I adopted two cats many years ago that were from the same owner. One of them hid under a bed for three weeks. They also did not get on. But they had a whole house to ignore each other in. I guess it’s more difficult in a smallish room. But I would continue to leave a door open.

it might be stress that is making them fight.

How big is the bathroom, is it used by anybody else? Do you have more than one litter tray and is it/are they kept well away from where you feed them? Can you put some boxes in and create nice hidey holes? Put some newspaper under the litter tray and then you can just throw the newspaper away.

I would suggest it’s too early to give up but I appreciate the problem with your partner. I have been unable to foster cats because of my partners attitude.

Perhaps look on the end game an realise how much satisfaction you will feel when you bring them round.

Best of luck.

Thanks @Toomanysleepycats
The bathroom can be just for the cats. It’s pretty big, strangely. Just a loo and a lot of floor space.

yes, there are two litter trays (one in that bathroom, one in the hallway but one of the cats is still going elsewhere. Sigh.

It's really early days. They are frightened and in a strange place. Shut them in one room with all they need. It will be easier to clean up too.
Go in frequently and spend time with them quietly. Sit on a chair (or the loo) read a book, speak to them softly.
They will probably hide for several days - this isn't unusual. Give them places to hide, like boxes or igloo beds.
If they're toileting outside the tray it's almost certainly stress and they're trying to find somewhere they feel secure to relieve themselves.
Don't panic. They will be different cats in a few days when they feel happier and confident.

thank you @Beamur

I'm sorry you're struggling 💐

My advice would be - get an extra tray - the recommended number is one per cat, plus an extra. Some cats are happy to share but many aren't. Also, are you using a litter they're used to?

Many cats also won't use the tray if the litter is too big as it hurts their paws. We use a really fine corn litter for our indoor cats, but there are loads of options out there. I would also look at trying different trays - maybe low sided ones if they're older, or ones with a lid so they have privacy.

Try some Feliway plug-ins for the stress and maybe keep them separate for now so they can both ease in to their environment.

Good luck!

I'm so sorry. Those poor cats, and poor you. If the room is big enough put hiding boxes/igloos in there with a litter tray. Put another outside the door in sight and food, water just outside the door.

Spend time with them so they get used to your smell and voice. When we had a scared cat I used to read out loud to her. Nothing fancy just a newspaper. When you aren't around can you keep a radio on low. Not the music channels but something like radio 4?

And dreamies, or felix treats, cat sticks or the absolute best, cat yoghurt. Scared cats do attack each other and humans so be gentle and quiet.

I echo others who say get extra trays. Many cats who lice together in gouseholds actually don't get on and subtlet upset each other in quiet ways that owners don't always notice . Like previous poster said, if they can get away from each other and create their own territory within your house, you will have less messes. Let them have more space round your home, it's only been two days, it will improve if they can have more space to relax. They are also quite old and this experience will have conpletely stressed them. Buy catnip and dreamies, let them have space, let them come to you, they just need a breather. Best of luck op 🤞

*live 🤣

Oh gosh it's depressing. No progress apart from the added excitement of diarrhoea. One of them, not me!

They are utterly uninterested in dreamies - hearing the pack shake, or the smell, of if I quietly leave a dreamie in the bathroom.

They will come round soon x

They’re probably scared, my lovely cat had a fear poop on the way to the vet once.

Do as pp suggest and give it a few days. If it’s not working out contact the rescue, at least you can say you’ve tried. Fingers crossed they come around.

Cardboard box? Could be useful if they need to hide.

Catnip?

How are your foster cats OP?
Any change at all?