I am trying to get the kids to keep their doors closed but they seem to keep getting in there. We just adopted them in August, otherwise they are really great cats and I don't want to have to get rid of them. We have all fallen in love with them, however I can't keep washing their bedding every other day. Help!!!
2006-12-19 10:33:03 · 12 answers · asked by Michelle 6 in Pets ➔ Cats
Oh we all pay alot of attention to them and they are fixed.
2006-12-19 10:50:35 · update #1
Hi Michelle...generally when cats who are fixed and inappropriately soil outside of their litter boxes it is indicative of an underlying medical problem such as a lower urinary tract disorder/infection.
Here's an article by Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine of Feline Health on house soiling causes:
http://www.vet.cornell.edu/fhc/brochures/Housesoiling.html
House soiling is the most common behavior problem reported by cat owners. It includes urination and/or defecation outside the litter box, as well as urine spraying.
Why do cats eliminate outside of the litter box?
One common misconception is that cats soil in inappropriate places for revenge. It is tempting to conclude, "He defecated on the living room carpet to punish me for leaving him for the weekend." But this kind of calculation requires sophisticated cognitive abilities that cats aren't believed to possess. Furthermore, this conclusion assumes that cats view their urine and feces as distasteful, when in fact they do not. It is only we humans who view it that way.
Medical Problems
So why do cats urinate or defecate on your bed or carpet? Medical problems are one possibility. Inflammation of the urinary tract may cause painful or frequent urination, inability to urinate, bloody urine, and crying during urination. An affected cat is likely to eliminate outside the litter box if he comes to associate the box with painful urination, or if he has an increased urgency to urinate. In addition, kidney, liver, and thyroid diseases often lead to increased drinking and urination. Inflammation of the colon or rectum, intestinal tract tumors, intestinal parasites, and other gastrointestinal conditions may cause painful defecation, increased frequency or urgency to defecate, and decreased control of defecation. Age-related diseases that interfere with a cat's mobility (for example, arthritis, nervous system disorders, or muscular diseases), or with his cognitive functions can also influence his ability to get to the litter box in time. In short, any medical condition that interferes with a cat's normal elimination behavior can lead to house soiling.
Litter Box Aversions
Behavioral problems, such as litter box aversions, inappropriate site preferences, or urine spraying can also lead to house soiling. An aversion implies that there is something about the litter box that your cat finds unsavory. It could be the box, the litter, the location of the box, or all three.
2006-12-19 15:12:52 · answer #1 · answered by ♪ Seattle ♫ 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Are they fixed? If not... that's your first priority. That SHOULD make them stop... but once they start, sometimes even that doesn't help.
Wash the bedding with an ENZYME cleaner. Regular detergent doesn't get the smell out (WE can't smell it, but THEY can!). Pet stores sell various types of "keep off" sprays, etc. Which ones will work mostly depends on your cats.
Lastly... if they're trying to keep the door closed... is there a chance the cats are getting locked IN? Maybe put a litter box in their room (get a covered one and it shouldn't smell if it's changed regularly) and see if that helps.
Good luck!
2006-12-19 10:45:22 · answer #2 · answered by kittikatti69 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
It should not be that expensive to get them treated properly. A fecal is usually $10-20 and a broad spectrum dewormer is around the same. Many vets will give the dewormer without a fecal, especially if there's obvious evidence that they need it. In any case, it's going to be a lot cheaper to deworm them now than it will be when you have to take them to the emergency vet because you let their infestations get so severe that they're malnourished and ill. Not to mention that kids can get tapeworms too. You really need to get the cats treated.
2016-05-22 22:12:08 · answer #3 · answered by Ardis 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They must have been fixed too late. Once they develop the habit of spraying sometimes neutering doesn't stop them. I'm not sure there is a "cure", but try some of the repellant sprays.
2006-12-19 11:09:26 · answer #4 · answered by rugbee 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Check to see if there is a medical problem and if not then keep the kids rooms off limits to the cats.
2006-12-19 11:02:52 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Most cats hate the smell of amonnia. You can dilute it in water and it will still smells strong to them. Just put it a spray bottle and mist it everyday. It's not fullproof but it has worked for me before.
2006-12-19 11:39:00 · answer #6 · answered by chris99 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
spay or neuter them, get rid of the bedding that they sprayed on because it still has the smell in it
2006-12-19 10:47:31 · answer #7 · answered by kat_luvr2003 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
the cats are probably jealous of the kids, pay more attention to the cats.
2006-12-19 10:41:07 · answer #8 · answered by cadillacrazy 4 · 0⤊ 3⤋
you may just have to get them fixed or get more litter boxes
2006-12-19 11:08:34 · answer #9 · answered by Tabbi 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
get them fixed
2006-12-19 10:59:59 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋