Desperate situation...need advice!

[emily_the_spoiled]

I would not recommend laminate flooring. I put that down and I now have to replace it (because it has started to peel). I am going to have ceramic tile put in instead. One of my guys is a "pee'r" and I ended up replacing all of my carpet with either laminate or ceramic tile. The tile is hard to lay down, but it sure it alot easier to clean up!

[Purr-tender]

I have tried Feliway, in the plug-in and spray...didn't help...spent $80 for both!!

You probably read where we bought security cameras yesterday. My husband is still working on setting them up this afternoon. Hopefully we'll find out who the worst offenders are.

Without the pad in front of the box the pee would just soak the carpet, because regardless, pad or not, they pee outside the box, for some reason just in the guest room, can't figure that one out. As far as cleaning, I scoop first thing in morning and before I go to bed at night, and usually at supper time, too. I keep the boxes wiped down with special litter box cleaning cloths too.

The flooring issue is difficult. I have brought it up on PT before. I don't want to put anything down that will affect the resale value of my home, plus price is of course a big factor, too.

[Medusa]

Is it possible to place all your litterboxes together in one spot? I know it's probably a lot to ask since you have so many cats. I have all mine in the basement and that helps, too.

[Purr-tender]

My laundry room isn't large enough for more than the 2 that I have in there. Same goes for using a bathroom. You can imagine how attractive that would be in one of my main rooms. I do have room for more than the 3 that I have out in their cottage, but I don't have the problem out there From what everyone is telling me, I need more boxes, but if I keep the ones that I have scooped I don't see how that will help.

Mary, I'm jealous that you have a basement, that is perfect. My friend has 11 cats and at night she tucks them in her basement like you do yours. When you go in her house you would never know that she has cats! It always smells Spring Fresh!! They know where their bathroom is and go downstairs when they need to during the day. I think that makes a huge difference, plus there's plenty of room for all the necessary boxes. What I don't understand with my kids is why if they have a fresh clean box that they would pee outside of it. It's not a dribble either, like when there is UTI or crystals.

[Catlady711]

You DEFINATELY need more litterboxes. I have 7 cats, and 7 extra giant litterboxes (some of my cats are big).

Yeah they don't look exactly like framed artwork for decor but they get the job done. I have 3 in my front porch area which is actually the front part of my livingroom. I have 2 in a spare bedroom upstairs, and 2 in my own bedroom. I figure I'd rather look at, and have my company look at a whole bunch of litterboxes, than have my house smell up and be ruined with cat urine.

Get a few more boxes and it should help at least a little until your video cam catches the culprits so you can have them vet checked for UTI's.

Good luck.

[Medusa]

From what everyone is telling me, I need more boxes, but if I keep the ones that I have scooped I don't see how that will help.

I can only venture a guess here but I think it's because they more or less claim a litterbox as their own. Then if another cat does use theirs, there is one extra that's clean. It definitely helped to get more litterboxes plus, as you say, having them in the basement. My house is the same way as your friend's, no odor unless a neighborhood cat walks by and has the audacity to sit on my patio or in my shrubbery, then they might spray against a window.

[krazyaboutkatz]

Mine don't do this but I've heard from others that some cats prefer to pee in one box and poop in another. Since you don't have very many boxes and they poop in them then this may also be a reason why they're peeing outside of the litter boxes. Some cats are very picky and won't even use a box that others have used. I only have to scoop 2 times a day and mine hardly ever use all 8 boxes but they are there if they need them. I'd also rather put up with looking at and cleaning more boxes than having pee and urine odor throughout my place. I sure hope that something will work for you. Good luck.