Desperate situation...need advice!

[Purr-tender]

I have a HUGE problem! My cats started peeing in the house about 7 months ago. No matter what I do to try and resolve it, does not work, in fact it has even gotten worse. I have 14 cats and pretty much feel that it is a territorial problem. I moved 8 of the crew out to a cottage that I have fixed up for them. Through the day they come in and out of my house but before dark I move them back into their cottage. The main ones that I have actually caught in the act of spraying or peeing are living in the cottage. But, even the ones that I thought were my good babies are doing it. It is no longer just the walls and carpet that are their target. Someone peed in my new recliner during the night a couple of days ago and last night my quilt was the target...with me under it! Needless to say, no one will be sleeping with mom from now on. That hurts because I love having a couple of my "kids" curled up with me. I don't think that what is going on is physical, too many are doing it. Someone is even peeing outside the litter box. I keep their boxes very clean and put a pad down in front of the boxes. They poo in the box and pee on the pad! Uggh!! I know a lot of you have multiple cats in your homes too. I love these guys with all my heart and it is breaking my heart that they are ruining my home. I am going to have all my carpet and padding removed, the subfloor sealed and probably have a laminate floor put down. The walls will all be washed and repainted as will the baseboards. I hate to think that even that may not solve the problem. Any of your own experiences or help would be greatly appreciated! I am way beyond desperate!

[moosmom]

The more cats you have, the higher the chances are that it might happen. HOWEVER, rule of thumb is one box per cat. So if you have 14 cats, you need at least 10 boxes.

First rule of business is to rule out any kind of medical problem, like UTI, crystals, stones, etc.

[Purr-tender]

Well, I don't have 10 litter boxes, I have 3 large ones in the house and 3 in the cottage (4 of my 14 are just 9 months old). As far as ruling out any medical problems, that's tough. What we did do today was buy a security camera. My husband is mounting it where we have the biggest problem. If we find that it is always the same cat or cats doing the inappropriate peeing/spraying, then that will be the one who is checked by the vet. Last fall I did take 2 of the cats that I had caught peeing to the vet. One did have crystals and was treated. It's just hard to imagine that so many would have medical issues. Also, all have been spayed/neutered.

[Taz_Zoee]

I only have one cat, but I recall reading that many cats do NOT like change. My cat is an exception to that. But maybe because you moved those cats out to the cottage, this is their way of telling you......we don't like this!
I hope the camera will show you who it is and you can get them checked.

[Purr-tender]

I know cats don't like change. I didn't move them to the cottage until the peeing got completely out of control in the house. I wish you all could see their cottage. It is one large room. I painted the walls a cheery yellow and the upper portion a soft sky blue. They have a nice big couch and chair, a large window with a padded shelf to bird watch from, another long shelf to chill on, a big condo, their own stereo, and these 2 great cottages from Drs. Foster and Smith. I put up a white bifold door in the rear with their litter boxes for privacy. Sorry, got off track.
We are definitely hoping the camera will work. I don't want people to think that I don't keep a clean house and that the cats are just rebelling. I am anxious to have our house back and would love to have all my kids back in here with us. It is so hard to look out my back door and see my kids looking out the window of the cottage at the house. They don't understand.

I use an enzyme cleaner (OUT) and follow up with Mr. Clean. I have had my carpets professionally cleaned numerous times using products for cat urine and it didn't help.

[Freedom]

For 14 cats you do not have nearly enough litter boxes! You need 15, or 10 and clean multiple times per day.

Cats do not like having many of them living in close quarters. I am at my lmit here with 8 cats in rooms. Have to keep the cellar door open a lot sothey can go down there. So it may be territorial but if it is, then they are not going to stop. Spreading them out to the cottage was a good start.

Please add some boxes for them!

[mruffruff]

I have laminate floors and 12 cats. A couple of the cats like to leave puddles.

I worry ALL THE TIME about wet spots causing lifting at the edges of the laminate. I had a couple of places get wet and buckle where the seams are. I opted for vinyl that looks like laminate when I re-did the cat room recently.

Maybe others have had good luck with laminate getting wet, but I can't recommend it.

I have one litter box for each cat and one extra. I scoop once or twice a day and replace all litter weekly. I recently added one more in the den where I find a puddle most often. Only time will tell if this will solve the problem.

I also have a call in to Nancy, the pet psychic, to get a little insight about one of the worst offenders. In the past she has said that she was picking up the feeling that some cats think there are "too many cats". Since none of mine are going anywhere, they'll have to adjust---or I'll have to get used to wiping up a lot. I use Simple Solution to eliminate the odor. Washing and painting won't remove the deep-down odor that draws the cats to pee there again. That's probably why some of the "good" ones have started. You need to use a generous amount of an enzyme cleaner such as Simple Solution or Nature's Miracle.

I definitely understand your frustration. I have had my bed marked, two loveseats soaked, my sofa annointed and all throw rugs drenched. I keep my bathroom door shut so the rug will stay dry for a while. Curtains are another common target.

I hope we both find a solution to this maddening problem.