Help - Ragdolls Urinating on Floor Constantly

[Lifeathome]

Hoping anyone can offer some advice as I'm feeling so deflated. Around 1.5 years ago we bought 2 Ragdoll kittens from the same litter, one boy and one girl. We'd done a lot of research into breeds that are great with kids, and our LB (3) loves having them around. They're indoor cats as advised for the breed, with full roam of the house, 3 litter trays frequently cleaned, cat trees, toys galore etc. They have a great routine with lots of love, regular play and a great diet.

The girl urinated at the front door around 6 months after we got her, eventually it stopped but we've really battled with the smell and deterring her from the area. This then changed to the back of the house, which they now both seem to be doing, in multiple places. (this has also happened in the kitchen away from any external doors - so makes us think this isn't a case of territory with any other outdoor cats)

Obviously this is really unpleasant, the smell is strong, we have young children around and we're concerned about hygiene. So far we've given additional litter trays, in different locations. Trialled different litters, bought new toys, changed their food to a really high quality (Royal Canin Ragdoll), bought a water fountain (all to keep happy / reduce any stress they might have), bought special plug ins and sprays and even taken them to see a behavioural vet alongside a regular vet to check for any conditions - none of them can shed any light.

Every single day now we'll wake to find at least 2 wees on the floor next to the clean litter trays, we'll clean, disinfect, then clean with surgical spirit and it'll happen again hours later. It's stressing everyone out, we're now struggling to get rid of the smell and constantly feel on edge our little one will stand in one we've not spotted.

We don't feel we can let them be outdoor cats as fear someone will take them, or they'll be knocked down as we live close to very busy roads and the breed isn't road savvy / too trusting.

Has anyone experienced this? We feel like we've exhausted every possible solution. One very deflated mum 😩

You need to clean with an enzyme cleaner like Simple Solution.

Do you do lots of enrichment stuff with them? Do they want to go out?

If it still smells you haven't cleaned it properly. You need to break down the enzymes. Surgical spirit only works on hard non porous surfaces and should be left to completely dry (24 hours) before cats go near it. It's toxic to them.

Try using biological washing powder, 1 cup to 9 cups water to wash the area and allow to fully dry.
Put puppy pads down where they have been peeing after that.

Make sure the litter trays you are using are for large cats, don't use hooded or covered trays and a plant or paper based litter is best for long haired cats. Less likely to stick in between paw pads. A litter mat to catch any tracking beside the trays may help as well.

Hope some of that is useful.

Will putting puppy pads down in the place they've wee'd previously not encourage them to go on the mats VS the litter trays?

Enzyme cleaner and have you thought about a catio?

I assume they are neutered?

They're already not going in the litter trays! Going on puppy pads would be better, surely, while you sort out what the problem is?

No, they are going in the litter trays but also on the floor.

Would you be able to let them spend a little time outside for enrichment and to reduce stress? This might work.

They are, we had them neutered the earliest the vet advised. it's actually only just started getting worse as they've gotten older, they seem really happy with one another too. The boy is a lot bigger and sometimes can get a little rough in play but it isn't often. They're always cuddled up on a night together so don't think its anything to do with one another. We're lost.

We did consider getting them a harness each, currently we can't as we're soon to start building work but might have to trial this in spring when it's finished. I do feel bad sometimes not letting them out, I just really worry about someone taking them.

We're having some build work done at the end of the year, so might look to see if we can add something once that's done. Do you have one?

What kind of litter do you use? Is it the same type as the one their breeder used? Does their breeder have any advice? To see if any others from that litter or previous ones had a similar issue?

Where are the boxes in the house? Have you looked at this from a cat’s perspective? Mine would rather pee on the kitchen floor than use the box in a cold bathroom (so I put the box in the living room, which sucks for me due to occasional smells, but they like that’s in a more comfortable room). They also need the box in a safe place, not overly exposed.

My friend was genuinely puzzled why her cat kept using the sink/tub to toilet and not the litter tray. She refused to see that using a crystal based litter (that would feel like shards of glass on paws) and which was heavily lavender scented (so smelt vile to a cat) was the main reason and the fact her cat also wanted separate boxes to pee/poop. Just because my friend liked the litter she bought, doesn’t mean her cat did, and the latter is more important if you want them to use it 😉. Lots of cat litter is targeted to appeal to human purchasers rather than the cat user lol.

Have you experimented with different litter types? Mine use a natural wheat based clumping one. They don’t like hard stony like litter or anything scented.

Also second enzyme cleaner suggestions to discourage them peeing in that area again.

Hope you find a solution (also please post pics of the little trouble makers aka “cat tax” 😁).