Advice needed please

[jano432]

Hi

I need some advice as I have tried all I can to solve this problem.
I adopted a 4 year old semi feral cat in November last year. She confined herself to the kitchen to start with and chose a corner to use as her tray. For ease I placed a litter tray there although it is right by a cupboard which I use and so is not really a very convenient spot. Over the months I have gradually moved the tray to another place and she is happily using (I actually gave her 2) it but from time to time she reverts to the corner but only to wee. I have tried all sorts to deter her but she still returns occasionally.

With other cats I have been successful by spraying with surgical spirit but this is not working with this cat.

The floor is laminate (which I would like to renew but not until I have solved this problem). Can anyone suggest any way I can deter her from using this area please?

[Lilith]

Hi Jano, this is a tough one.

My own instinct would be to rearrange the kitchen round the cat tray - inconvenient I know - been there done that and still doing it...this house is like an obstacle course

Is there any way you could shift the stuff in the cupboard to another cupboard and some less-used stuff to the cupboard next to the tray (if you see what I mean?) I too have this problem!

It's a total bummer when the cat insists that that is HER spot, but if she will use a tray there, it's half the battle. They train us, don't they just, awkward little gits!

I've tried everything to deter a naughty cat, from citrus scented stuff to putting tinfoil down in the used spot (they're said not to like the rustling underfoot.) Hasn't worked. Some people let the cat use puppy pads rather than have to clean up a puddle - this might be a good idea?

Hopefully other people will have better ideas - good luck with her

[jano432]

Hi
Thanks for your reply.....re-arranging is out of the question as I have such a small kitchen in the first place. As you say, they make the choices but I have to try and solve this one.

Trying Talcum powder now then will try a pot of neat bleach in the hope that the fumes will sting her eyes before she gets comfy.

Anyone else have any ideas please?

[Crewella]

I'm afraid I've not dealt with this problem so have no useful advice, but I wouldn't expose your cat to neat bleach as it can be toxic to cats or could burn her skin. Also, strangely, some cats seem to love the smell of bleach and react to it like catnip!!

I hope you do find a solution.

[bobbys girl]

I wouldn't use bleach, it might make the problem worse!

I washed a dishcloth in bleach yesterday. A while later I was using my laptop - with the mouse (can't manage without) Purdy started licking my hand, then she bit it! Twice!! I've seen her get all excited when I've wiped a surface in bleach, drives her nuts!

[jano432]

I used to have a cat who went nuts with the smell of bleach too, but I have cleaned the area with it and applied a strong smelling talc and then as suggested, I have put down some silver foil as the area is at the base of my sink unit and cupboard and so always in use by me and often the first I know that the cat has used it, is that I step in it.

She uses her trays for a week or so and I think she is cured.....for no apparent reason she then re-visits!!!!

[booktigger]

Have you ever had a urine sample checked when she is weeing in the corner? Bleach breaks down into ammonia which makes them more likely to use the spot, you need something that breaks down the enzymes

[jano432]

Booktigger, what may that show?

What can I use to break down enzymes?

[booktigger]

It will show whether she is doing it because she has an infection. There are products available to break down enzymes, there is a thread here with names of products

[meriad]

There are various products you can buy but otherwise if you get some biological washing powder (usually has a green lid) and dilute that, the enzymes in there may help break down the urine enzymes. Then wipe down with surgical spirits.

I would however suspect that the urine has already soaked through the laminate and gone into the underlay so that may be what keeps on attracting your cat to the area. Could you try and get a piece of lino or a rubber backed mat to put over that area once cleaned and see if that stops your cat?

I know when I still had my old girl Molly I ended up covering the entire bedroom carpet with a cheap lino because she had the odd accident and it just made it easier to clean. So maybe when you do replace your kitchen go for a good quality lino instead of laminate. Warmer and softer underfoot and 'spill / cat wee' proof