Stressed cat again, wwyd?

[Bemyclementine]

I'll start by saying I'm having to think about rehoming. Dc2.

Dc1 is 8. Was the younger cat to my old boy. Got on fine. Gets on fine with visiting cat (also an old boy). Dc2 is 1. Arrived as a stray, starving, injured 4 month old. All fine to start (she was very unwell and barely moved).

Then, dc2 started spitting hissing and launching small attacks on dc1. I felt bad about this, guilty that poor dc1 had her life turned upside down . Eventually they called a truce snd were ok. Able to pass on the stairs.

I went away for 5 days, a friend came morning and night to feed.
.

When I returned, dc1 was having a go at dc2 whi developed cystitis. She had since wee'd on a coat, and on the door mat. Dc1 seems to have a go at her when she goes to use the tray.

Only 1 tray as dc1 doesn't use it ever.

I work out of the home 2 full days a week abd am wondering about separating them. This will mean shutting dc2 in the front room/hall with her tray. (She spends most of her time in there. ) so that dc1 can access the cat flap .

Is this a reasonable solution, for now?

Dc2 is lovely, the children love her. I'd be very sad to see her go.

Something else I'm thinking about is making her something so she can access kids high sleeper beds, she used to be able to but a change around has made it harder for her. She might feel happier up there also a covered litter box.

I do have some experience with stress weeing. My girl cat will stress wee if she feels threatened by another cat in the garden.
Two things I would say

1. girl cat has 2 litter trays, boy cat never uses them unless absolutely desperate, but girl cat likes to have both available and likes them to be spotless.
2. Royal canin Calm biscuits have really helped with the stress weeing

I personally think the situation is very unfair on your older cat, and they would probably both have a better quality of life if you rehomed the younger one. But try the other measures first. Good luck.

I think you're right unfortunately. They were doing so well and even both slept on my bed at the same time, touched noses etc.

I don't have a very big house, and I'm not sure where I'd put another box without it being in dc1s area. Maybe the front room though I'm loathe to do this, it might work.

Would you keep them seperate while out of the house?

I personally think it is more stressful to separate them, they will probably keep out of each others way naturally as long as there are plenty of hiding spaces for DCat 1.