Almost to the final straw :(

[jazzcat]

I can't take it anymore. Someone or several someones are peeing in the house. I feel almost certain that it is Moxie and/or Decker. It's a total behavior thing because they do it when I leave the house, even just take a 30 minute walk around the neighborhood, or if it's around meal time. On top of that someone is marking things around the house that the cats use. Today alone I discovered someone peed/marked a cat blanket and then someone peed in the dining room. I have carpet runners on the carpet all along the walls where they like to pee and sometimes they will pee on the plastic runner but today while I was gone they did it on the carpet right in front of the runner.

I've been dealing with this for almost two years now and it's just getting worse. I've talked to the vet and she feels it is just behavior too. We really don't think it is any kind of illness or infection. I truly believe it's Moxie and/or Decker, the last two in. We've had so many problems since they arrived. Moxie gets upset if she thinks I won't be home in time to feed her and she is just a beast about food. A lot of these peeing incidents seem to happen when she is getting concerned about food. I can't leave food out all the time because we have some special diets but trust me, I feed her plenty. She acts awful about getting her food. She even jumps up where she's not suppose to and knocks things off while meowing her high pitch squeal that is absolutely shrill! The whole act is grating and unpleasant.

I don't know what to do and on top of it all I think Richard is going to throw us all out. I don't blame him, he doesn't work hard to pay for this house just so a couple of cats can ruin it.

I've tried everything I can think of and I've tried many suggestions from here. I use several Feliway Plug-Ins plus the spray, I have more than enough litterboxes but since this is behavioral I don't believe it is the reason. I don't have anywhere to confine them and I don't think shutting them in a small bathroom for the rest of their lives is an option anyway.

I really feel like I need to rehome Moxie and Decker. I don't anyone who will take them, especially since they have potty issues. I've asked around, no one wants two cats right now. Really my only choice would be shelter/rescue. I know two year old cats aren't really high on the adoption list plus Decker is very timid and scared, especially with strangers. He probably would never win anyone over even though he's a sweetheart and handsome. I really wish that momma cat hadn't had her kittens in my backyard.

Something has to give!!!

Okay, I waited to post this because Richard came home and wanted to go out to dinner. We were only gone 45 minutes and someone peed on the carpet runner, just a little bit. WHY!!!!!!!

Why can't they understand that they have to do their part for this to work!

[kimlovescats]

OH, LORI!!!! I'm so sorry! I totally understand your frustration! Another one of our dear PTers is dealing with the same issue! She is about at the end of her rope as well. Sometimes it just comes down to re-homing and/or getting your numbers down to where everyone can co-exist in harmony again! I know you know that I will support you 110% on whatever you decide you need to do.

In the meantime, I'm hear for your venting and sending lots of ((((((HUGS)))))))).

Kim

[jazzcat]

Thanks Kim. I knew you would understand.

As for the other PTer, I'm here if you want to cry with someone in the same boat. Feel free to PM me.

[jazzcat]

Uabassoon - Does Tuna act lethargic and drugged on the Prozac? Honestly I don't think I would mind with Moxie, she's just so rotten about food. When she's full and happy she is a very sweet kitty and she will come to me to nurse on my hand like she did when I found her as a kitten.

I really need to find out who is doing it for sure. I wonder if I could set up a camera. Has anyone tried that before? Do they sell motion activated camera?

Would it be possible to give them a pill to dye their urine? Maybe I could try that.

[Taz_Zoee]

I do not have advice on what to do, but as far as finding out who's doing it....maybe put Moxie and/or Decker in a bathroom just for a while when you leave for a short period of time. Test it out that way to see. If someone pees while they are not out in the house then it's not them. I don't know. I just hope you can figure it out. I know that if either of mine were doing that we would be kicked out, for sure.
Good luck!!

[jazzcat]

I do not have advice on what to do, but as far as finding out who's doing it....maybe put Moxie and/or Decker in a bathroom just for a while when you leave for a short period of time. Test it out that way to see. If someone pees while they are not out in the house then it's not them. I don't know. I just hope you can figure it out. I know that if either of mine were doing that we would be kicked out, for sure.
Good luck!!

Richard and I discussed that over dinner. I'm going to try shutting Moxie up first. I bet she will destroy the bathroom trying to get out.

[Moesha]

I haven't had to deal with a problem like this but can imagine how terribly frustrating it is. I also know a family that has a large furfamily that had a spraying issue with one of their kitties. He went on prozac also and it stopped immediately.

[Uabassoon]

Uabassoon - Does Tuna act lethargic and drugged on the Prozac?

Not at all. This was one of Alexa's major concerns as well. I can't remember the name of the first drug they gave us, but he did act drugged out and we took him off it right away. We went back and asked for Prozac specifically and he is his normal sweet self. The only difference now is that he doesn't pee all over the house.

[Medusa]

I can relate w/this situation, believe me. Before I began medicating my pee cats, I thought I was doomed to live in a giant litterbox. My males had pee wars and it just became maddening. I tried different meds to no avail until I found Clomicalm and it saved my house and my sanity and my cats from being rehomed. My vet feels Prozac is great for behavior problems but I've never tried it because my previous vet started them on Clomicalm and I've seen great success w/it. Some say it takes a while to start working but, in my case, it began working right away. However, if it ever stops, I won't hesitate to try Prozac. Anything is better than smelling urine all the time, having to wash clothes over again and scrubbing carpet on a daily basis. It got so bad here that Specs totally ruined a dining room server. He sprayed up against it so many times that it warped the door and I could no longer close it. (He's the one who got the pee wars started. All was fine until I brought him into the fold.) I now give them 5 mg. before bed, it keeps them calm but they're not drugged, they don't stagger around or anything, no side effects whatsoever and best of all, they don't pee everywhere. Oh and btw, it isn't just males. My female Yoda is part of the pee group. I have 4 of my 7 cats on Clomicalm.

If you decide against Prozac for your own reasons, ask your vet about Clomicalm. It's used mainly for behavior problems in dogs but has been used successfully in cats. It's been a lifesaver for me and for these pee cats, trust me. Hang in there, girl. There is help out there. You've just got to ask your vet about it. It isn't worth losing Richard over when it's so easily remedied.

[Uabassoon]

We had problems like this with Tuna. If you didn't feed him the second you got out of bed she would spray. We couldn't leave out food for him because he was so obese, the vet kept telling us to put him on a diet which made him only spray more. He ate more than enough however in his mind he wasn't getting nearly enough food and would let you know by running to the door and spraying. We had tried everything when finally I told Alexa that I had enough. I was tired of walking into a house that smelled like pee. We couldn't buy any new furniture because he peed on everything we owned, I didn't even feel like I could have guests in my home because of him. Finally after telling her that something needed to change we took him to the vet for prozac. He hasn't had an incidents since we put him on the prozac. I know that some people are against medicating for that, but I think it was the best thing for us. We were finally able to have our house back.

[catlover4ever]

Oh Lori, I'm so sorry that this continues to happen. I just went through this with but it was not as bad as your situation. I don't know if your open to using an animal communicator but I work with a real good one. She does consultations over the phone. I used her when I was worried about Gracie and having her eye removed. She told me things that only Jan (QueenScoopsALot) and I knew about them. PM me if you are interested.

[Laura's Babies]

Looks like you have some good suggestions here. I agree with catlover4ever about a animal communicator.. what have you got to loose? It worked wonders for Boo and I found out why Amy pees in her bed now and then or in other odd places.

[jazzcat]

I tried Clomicalm with Rocky last year and it didn't help, made him act kind of drugged and when he came off it he was even more aggressive. On top of that I have to get it compounded here at a special pharmacy that is many miles away and it costs a lot. I'd rather try the Prozac if it is generic and cheap.

I know a lot of people have had luck with a communicator but I don't really believe in that kind of thing. Don't get me wrong though, I'm glad she has helped a lot people here.

I like the idea of the web cam to try to catch the culprit and also the flourescein. I'm also willing to shut Moxie up to see if the peeing stops. Once we know who I'm all for Prozac and I'm sure my vet will agree to it.

I saw Decker sniffing funny around a cardboard cat scratcher this morning and turns out someone has "marked" it with a few potent drops. This has got to end!

I have a vet appointment tomorrow afternoon for Jazz and Scout's annual so we will discuss all this then. She already knows we are having major problems.

[Medusa]

I tried Clomicalm with Rocky last year and it didn't help, made him act kind of drugged and when he came off it he was even more aggressive. On top of that I have to get it compounded here at a special pharmacy that is many miles away and it costs a lot. I'd rather try the Prozac if it is generic and cheap.

I know a lot of people have had luck with a communicator but I don't really believe in that kind of thing. Don't get me wrong though, I'm glad she has helped a lot people here.

I like the idea of the web cam to try to catch the culprit and also the flourescein. I'm also willing to shut Moxie up to see if the peeing stops. Once we know who I'm all for Prozac and I'm sure my vet will agree to it.

I saw Decker sniffing funny around a cardboard cat scratcher this morning and turns out someone has "marked" it with a few potent drops. This has got to end!

I have a vet appointment tomorrow afternoon for Jazz and Scout's annual so we will discuss all this then. She already knows we are having major problems.

I'm sorry to hear that about the Clomicalm. I wonder if maybe the dosage was too high. My pee cats get only 5 mg. before bed and it lasts for 24 hours. But hey, if Prozac works, go for it. I would. If the day ever comes when Clomicalm stops working on my cats, on to Prozac. Good luck. I hope this is resolved for you soon.

[kimlovescats]

Lori, I'm with you on the communicator idea! I agree that the Prozac would be the better solution! Hang in there, and don't forget I'm only an e-mail, PM or phone call away!

Hugs!