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The litter tray

Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

Original poster

I think I’m going to have to rehome my cat

52 replies

Soubriquet · 01/10/2023 09:02

I really don’t want to. She’s 7 and I’ve had her since she was 8 weeks old, but she is suddenly starting to wee and poo outside her litter box. She went on my sons bed yesterday.

Vet checked her and she’s completely fine. She’s not stressed either. She literally lays about sleeping all day.

It wouldn’t be so bad if we owned our home but we don’t. We rent. I’m currently in temporary council accommodation but we are working on going into private cos the council doesn’t have anything permanent for us, and I can’t have a cat who will ruin the carpets by toileting on them.

I have two children and they must come first.

Argh it sucks. I wish she could speak so I could find out why she’s doing this.

OP posts:
Toddlerteaplease · 01/10/2023 09:04

I suspect she is probably stressed if you are living in temporary accommodation. Has this only started since you moved? Are you all in a smaller space? That could well be the problem.

Finlesswonder · 01/10/2023 09:04

That's not how it works. You don't just chuck a pet in the bin because there's something wrong with it.

If you don't want a 7 year old cat that pisses on your carpet, what makes you think someone else would?

SiouxsieSiouxStiletto · 01/10/2023 09:05

I suspect she's stressed too. Could you try one of those stress relieving plug-ins?

DogDream · 01/10/2023 09:06

Has she only got one litter tray? She needs two ideally.

I agree she’s stressed.

Original poster
Soubriquet · 01/10/2023 09:08

She’s always only had the one litter tray and has been fine with it. Never had a problem before.

I can get a second in though to see if it helps.

OP posts:
RosesAndHellebores · 01/10/2023 09:09

The only solution is a catio in these circumstances. I believe some cats just start doing this but it usually involves stress/anxiety. Have you tried plug in feliway and/or the biggest litter tray you can find? Do you keep the litter immaculate? Try different litter?

Rehoming is likely to be difficult as there will be limited people who want a cat that messes and the rescues are inundated.

You say she isn't stressed but if you are in temp accommodation, there must have been some upheaval surely?

I'd be seeking a second opinion/changing vet - then again it's expensive if you don't have cat insurance.

Theunamedcat · 01/10/2023 09:12

Exclude her from the bedrooms get a second litter tray it is most likely the house move and your stress levels that's the issue you can get some otc drugs from pets at home called zyclene it's kitty valium great stuff try that too

SmokedCheese · 01/10/2023 09:12

Keep her in the kitchen with the cat flap and litter tray which must be cleaned daily. Keep doors to other rooms shut. This will be a temporary measure for a month while you rid the smell from the carpets (lemon?) and reestablish new habits.

Original poster
Soubriquet · 01/10/2023 09:15

I’ve got some different litter coming today to see if that helps at all. In the meantime all doors are closed if there is no one in it so that she doesn’t have the chance to toilet on anything

OP posts:
Finlesswonder · 01/10/2023 09:16

Does she have access to the outdoors?

Original poster
Soubriquet · 01/10/2023 09:18

No. She’s an indoor cat. She doesn’t like other cats and we live next door to someone who has two and is also covered in fleas.

My cat is up to date with her flea and worming treatment.

OP posts:
Finlesswonder · 01/10/2023 09:19

Do you have other pets?

Motnight · 01/10/2023 09:19

If there's no physical reason, then her behaviour has changed because she is stressed as others have said.

I don't want to criticise you Op but it's not great to be considering getting rid of a much loved pet just because they have started behaving in a different way.

kamboozled · 01/10/2023 09:20

Finlesswonder · 01/10/2023 09:04

That's not how it works. You don't just chuck a pet in the bin because there's something wrong with it.

If you don't want a 7 year old cat that pisses on your carpet, what makes you think someone else would?

This

DragonDoor · 01/10/2023 09:22

What a challenging situation. Any vet worth their salt should have been able to explain that weeing and pooing outside of the litter box is an indicator of stress.

I second the suggestion of a feliway. Also make sure the cat has enough stimulation and exercise - play with her each day.

I’m sure you do this anyway- but ensure her litter box is cleaned promptly and litter changed regularly. You could also get her a second litter box and keep it in the room she toilets in most often.

Cover your carpets with rugs where possible - they are often available second hand. Rugs are easier to spot clean with an enzyme cleaner if she pees on it.

See how that goes first before you think about rejoining her

Original poster
Soubriquet · 01/10/2023 09:23

Yes we have two dogs but whilst they are confined to the living room, she has free roam of the house.

I honestly don’t think she’s stressed. She’s not showing any behaviour apart from the toileting of being stressed. She comes for cuddles as normal, sleeps all day in her favourite spots and plays like she normally does to.

Believe me when I say rehoming her is the absolute last resort. None of us want her to go. She’s a friendly loving cat though extremely shy with strangers but I also have to put my children first.

OP posts:
Original poster
Soubriquet · 01/10/2023 09:24

We are lucky we have no carpets down in this place so clean up is easy.

OP posts:
Mariposista · 01/10/2023 09:24

FFs so if one of your children suddenly got a condition that made them have accidents, throw up on the floor, or something else that's messy but they can't help it, you'd put them up for adoption?
Pets are a commitment, whether you like it or not.

Finlesswonder · 01/10/2023 09:24

So to summarise:

  • Your cat has no access to the outdoors
  • Your cat shares her space with multiple dogs
  • Your cat has recently been moved and will be moving again shortly
  • Your solution is to rehome

Let the cat go outside

Finlesswonder · 01/10/2023 09:25

If you plan on ditching her anyway, what have you got to lose by seeing what happens if she goes outside?

Original poster
Soubriquet · 01/10/2023 09:26

We are living on a main road. I don’t want her killed by a car

OP posts:
RudsyFarmer · 01/10/2023 09:29

Cats like their surroundings to stay the same and as you have recently moved she’s showing her worry through her toileting. Feliway might help so I would recommend that first off.

I have no issue with rehoming animals as long as they are to people you trust NOT on a website. There was a recent news story where a man was purposely acquiring rehomed pets and killing then as part of his sadistic rituals. There are other sick bastards who will use cats to train fighting dogs, so you don’t want to be handing over your much-loved pet to anyone.

DoThePropeller · 01/10/2023 09:30

Soubriquet · 01/10/2023 09:24

We are lucky we have no carpets down in this place so clean up is easy.

Then what is your concern re the carpets as per the OP? I know it’s not ideal but it’s not actually a major problem if you have hard floors.

Snowwhite83 · 01/10/2023 09:30

Hi OP,

If you have no carpets I really think you need to find another solution. Try Felaway? This happened with my cat and I sucked it up and bought coverless duvets which go straight in the washing machine. One still does it every six months or so and you won't always know why. I certainly wouldn't consider rehoming. I'm sorry to say but seems you are giving up very quickly if she is a much loved pet.

hellswelshy · 01/10/2023 09:32

It does sound like the cat is stressed to be honest, they rarely do this without there being an underlying reason. Has she always been an indoor cat? Will there be a chance of her be outdoors in your next home? I do feel for you op, it's maddening but don't give up on the cat if at all possible. Good luck.