cat urinating in house

[fionachichi]

Hello

I have 2 18 month old cats a male and a female from same litter, I've had them since they were 6 months old, both are neutered. A few months ago we noticed the odd puddle on the floor and assumed it was a neighbours cat who had been chasing our 2 and coming in the house and we installed a microchip catflap which seemed to solve the issue. However a month or so ago the puddles started appearing again so ginger tom it seems was not the culprit its one of mine.

My curtains seem to be a favourite spot as does one of the cat beds but this week it was the top of the sideboard, the smell is strong like burnt rubber and urine is dark and thick in consistency, if that makes sense, if left to dry it crystalises. I have not caught either of them in the act so can't narrow it down to the male or female.

We have about 10 cats in the area and there is a bit of cat wars on the go at the moment and my 2 are lovers not fighters and tend to run indoors to safety if cornered, it could be stress related but I have plenty of litter trays for them, feliway, safe hidey holes etc. and my vet prescribed Calmex which they refuse to take in food funnily enough and I don't want to force feed both of them twice a day if I can help it.

If anyone can offer any advice it would be much appreciated.

[lilynmitz]

That's a tough one, it sounds to me like it is stress related from the turf wars outside, and it also sounds like you're doing all the right things. Have you thought about keeping them in, ie out of the battle zone, for a while to see if they settle down? Or would they find being kept in stressful too?

The description of the urine sounds a bit of a worry though. Have you spoken to the vet about it in the context of urinary infection? Lily used to wee in odd places when her cystitis flared up, and she particularly favoured the (thankfully cheap and white ikea) curtains, so I could spot it straight away and just put them through the washing machine.

[fionachichi]

Hello,

thanks for advice and reassurance the steps I've taken so far are correct. They tend to only go out for short periods of time and have places to hide in garden if any other cats are around. I've not spotted any urine in 3 days now (I check with one of those torches!) and they are due to go to the vet for their booster jags so I think I will book that appt. asap and get them checked over.

Wish I could narrow it down to which one it is without locking them in and keeping them separate, my gut tells me its Mac rather than Maisie, she is far too dainty and ladylike to to such a thing!

Unfortunately the curtains are dry clean only:( I have soaked them overnight twice in an enzyme remover solution I bought on Amazon but there is still a wiff, so if I can smell it they certainly can. Any suggestions on how to get it out completely? the dry cleaners said their method probably wouldn't work.

Thanks for all your help.

[lilynmitz]

To be honest I've tried most of the off-the-shelf cat wee removers and haven't been completely impressed by any of them. The only thing that really did it was washing with bio detergent. The late magnificent Mitz was an awful piddler when something frightened him (he was blind), and he had a few favourite spots, by the front door and on the hearth rug. I've scrubbed and scrubbed the carpet by the door but 4 years later I can still smell it. The rug I used to treat with various spray cat urine removers but I could still smell it, so it went in the bath in good old Persil, job done.

Lily, like your Maisie, was far to delicate to pee on stuff, until she had cystitis, then all bets were off! Hers didn't smell as bad as Mitz's (despite him being neutered), nor did she generate the same quantity. With my other cats over the years, it's just been the odd accident, or illness related, but Mitz really was a challenge, bless him. So I do feel for you. At least it's stopped for now - I hope they've got over the upset that triggered it, but do talk it through with your vet to be sure there's no underlying health issues.

[fionachichi]

Thanks will try the Persil this weekend!