Cat Chat Feline Forum

Hi all,

Two weeks ago we adopted two 8 year old sisters. One of them (tabby) is clearly very nervous and timid, whereas Smudge is bold and confident. They were fine the first week we had them but they've started squabbling and one of them (Tabby I suspect) has started pooping upstairs. I'm guessing it's a territorial thing. And Tabby doesn't like to come downstairs in the day as we have two young children at home who are busy and noisy.

What should I do about the pooping? Is it something that will pass once the sisters are more used to their new home? They really don't show any signs of liking each other. Or should I keep Tabby upstairs, with a cat bed, litter tray and food; and smudge downstairs? In the day they're free to go anywhere in the house. But at night we keep them in our dining room together (where their litter, food etc are kept).

Thanks!

Congrats on adopting two older cats. My first two were that age when I first got them.

Would you mind if I asked a few questions

1. How many litter trays do you have and where are they?
2. were the cats used to children?
3. how old are your children?
4. how do your children behave around the cats?

personally for now I definitely would allow Tabby the choice of being upstairs or downstairs as she wants; and provide food, water and a litter tray on both floors

There are things like Feliway, Zylkene, Pet Remedy that may help her transition into her new life

Well done adopting older cats. We need more people like you!

I think Ria has raised some pertinent points here. If the cats aren't used to children, particularly "busy and noisy" ones, then the upstairs pooping is definitely a reaction to that. Definitely put a litter tray, food, water and bedding up there, so that all her needs are met without her having to come down into an environment that she currently finds frightening.

You need to create safe places where the cat(s) can get away from them and feel safe - eg high up on wardrobes, under beds etc. It might also be a good time to help your children learn about cats, and how to have a better relationship with them by being quiet and gentle with them, and point out that their behaviour (albeit that they sound pretty normal for kids!) is making the cat(s) afraid. That may help alleviate the stress your puss feels. Some cats cope better in this type of household than others.

This really isn't the cat's fault, she's just having a tough time coping at the moment, and she heeds you, and all the family, to help her out, as she can't fix this herself.

meriad wrote:Congrats on adopting two older cats. My first two were that age when I first got them.

Would you mind if I asked a few questions

1. How many litter trays do you have and where are they?
2. were the cats used to children?
3. how old are your children?
4. how do your children behave around the cats?

personally for now I definitely would allow Tabby the choice of being upstairs or downstairs as she wants; and provide food, water and a litter tray on both floors

There are things like Feliway, Zylkene, Pet Remedy that may help her transition into her new life

Thanks the reply!

The cats were from a home with young children so I don't think that's new to them. I make sure the kids (they're 1 and 2.5 years old) don't chase or grab them and only stroke them when I'm with them and if the cats are willing. They're pretty good with them to be honest. Most of the time we're playing in a separate part of the house to the cats.

I can't help but think it's a territorial thing because smudge and tabby don't seem to get on, and have been squabbling. After the poo incident at the top of the stairs smudge stayed downstairs for the rest of the afternoon (Smudge is usually on the second floor but sometimes they fight for the first floor bathroom).

we have two litter trays in the dining room where they stay overnight. I'm going to put one in the bathroom where Tabby stays most of the day. Should I keep tabby and smudge apart from each other since they don't seem to like each other that much?

lilynmitz wrote:Well done adopting older cats. We need more people like you!

I think Ria has raised some pertinent points here. If the cats aren't used to children, particularly "busy and noisy" ones, then the upstairs pooping is definitely a reaction to that. Definitely put a litter tray, food, water and bedding up there, so that all her needs are met without her having to come down into an environment that she currently finds frightening.

You need to create safe places where the cat(s) can get away from them and feel safe - eg high up on wardrobes, under beds etc. It might also be a good time to help your children learn about cats, and how to have a better relationship with them by being quiet and gentle with them, and point out that their behaviour (albeit that they sound pretty normal for kids!) is making the cat(s) afraid. That may help alleviate the stress your puss feels. Some cats cope better in this type of household than others.

This really isn't the cat's fault, she's just having a tough time coping at the moment, and she heeds you, and all the family, to help her out, as she can't fix this herself.

Thanks. Yes, because Tabby is nervy I've been trying hard to accomodate that and reassure her. I can't help but feel is territorial thing between Tabby and Smudge (see my reply to the other commenter).

Thanks both

Saying that they're both now hiding up on the second floor landing. But some distance apart. I don't know if I'm misinterpreting everything.

It's very early days yet, and they're still finding their feet. Them taking it out on each other could be "referred aggression". Picture it like this. You're just moved into a house with lodgers you haven't got the hang of yet, who are really loud and noisy, you're feeling out of sorts, you don't know what's yours, where you can sleep, you've had a tough day, and your best friend comes up behind you and yells "BOO!". Do you laugh? I bet you don't. I bet your first instinct is to turn round and wallop them, or at least give them a piece of your mind. That's what's going on with your cats. Cut them some slack, give them space and time, they'll come round eventually. Meanwhile, do what you can to make life calmer for them, even if that's just giving them somewhere they can go for a bit of peace and quiet.