Advice for litter trays and spraying in a new multi-cat household

[Pinkpanther111]

Just recently my son has had to move in with us bringing his 2 cats. I’ve got 2 cats so now it’s a multi cat household. Now they are all spraying everywhere and it’s really getting me down.
we have a cat flap but it’s not making any difference. I’m using extreme cat cleaner from Amazon, which does get rid of the odour. One cat hides away in the wardrobe has he is nervous because of sons cats.
Thinking of getting a catio.
any advice/ tips please? 🙏

How many litter trays do you have? It should be one per cat plus one extra.

We have 4 litter trays. They still spray everywhere.
thanks for replying.

I know it sounds weird but when DS took in a stray his cat was very disgruntled and he bought a water fountain and they seemed to calm down. They are friends now and sleep cuddled up together sometimes. It did take a few months though.

Have you tried the calming diffusers?

Thank you. I’m getting desperate I’ll try anything 👏

No. Heard mixed reviews. Our house is big so not sure if it would work?

This isn't a toileting problem so the litter trays are not the issue. I'm sure you've realised it's a behavioural problem, they are spraying to spread their scent to claim the territory. You can see how much anxiety is circulating, one of the cats is hiding in a wardrobe.

Is this a long term arrangement? IME it is a hard situation to resolve and I doubt the diffusers will do much except part you from your money. Some or all of the cats may get over it in time. Or not, unfortunately.

You say you have a cat flap so they can go outside if they want to(?), so I wonder why you mention getting a catio? Allowing them access to a bigger territory outdoors so they have 'more space' away from each other would be helpful.

Thank you for your reply. Thinking of getting a catio so we can keep my son’s cats away from our nervous cat. My other 2 cats were definitely not impressed at first but have got used to them. My nervous cat unfortunately hasn’t and I don’t think she will. My sons has broken up with his partner but is saving to get his own property. So one day he will move out. They all go out of the cat flap. I have to carry the nervous one and put her out of the door, then make sure my son’s cats are not near when I call her back in. . Once she is in she sleeps in our bedroom and sometimes she will stay on the bed but we leave the wardrobe door open for her. I am definitely’ her favourite person’ and she appears to be happy - purring and cuddling up to me. It’s just the bloody spraying from the other cat. I too don’t think Feliway will make any difference.
I guess I will have to put up with it until the cats go. It’s a good job I love them 😺

A catio could help her, depending on how it's accessed and whether she would feel safe in there. The easier it is for them to have their own space away from the others, the better.

It's very difficult, I can only wish you good luck and hope your son manages to find a new home soon!

Four litter trays isn’t enough - I would say at least six for that many cats from different households. If they can go outside I wouldn’t waste your money on a catio - you just need to give it time.

You should always have one more litter tray than the number of cats you have.