Cats peeing in baby crib!?!?!?

Question

We have two 3 year old cats who are just like kids to us, but we also have a 10 month old and all of a sudden the cats have started urinating in his crib!!! I'm assuming they are jealous or maybe they smell pee in there I'm not exactly sure why they are doing it. I have another baby on the way and we can not be having this. I'm wondering if anyone knows a way to try and put a stop to this without getting rid of them. I really love them to death and it would kill me to have to get rid of them.

And before you ask... yes they are fixed! Both male. :)

Answer 1

Hi there...if this is something that recently developed, first consider all the possibilities such as:
- changes with litter brands
- location of the litter box isn't private enough
- some cats like to have one box to defecate and another to urinate
- cleanliness (some cats are very finicky and prefer a super clean box)
- as a general rule there should be one litter box for each cat plus one extra as a back up
- urine odours are not thoroughly cleaned with an enzymatic solution such as Nature's Miracle Just for Cats

If all these have been ruled out, there's a chance that your cats may have developed another underlying medical problem which can contribute to accidents outside of the box. Cats will associate pain while using box and change their habits as a result.

Here's an article about why cats inappropriately soil outside their litter box by Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine: 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.

...please consider visiting the website for further details

Answer 2

My niece had a baby last year and two cats that she had had prior to that for many years. She has not reported a problem.
I know that there is netting to put over a baby's crib and I would start there first. Then you will find out if they would go in the baby's room. I hope that won't happen. I know you may not want to close the door because you want to hear the baby if he cries for you.

Since both cats are going it (do you know this for sure?) there is probably not a medical issue to be dealt with. You say your cats are three years old - did you know that the "life" of a plastic litterbox is less than two years? Even if you keep them scooped out and washed out with soap and water the plastic does pick up bacteria which will leave odors detectable to the cats and adversive to them that you will not detect. So you might also get a couple (or three) new boxes to see if that could be the problem.

Answer 3

I think it's a territorial thing. I'm sure there are a lot of ways to break them from this habit. But I heard a really good idea a while ago to make living with kids and pets easier (at least until the cats stop). Try installing screen doors on the bedrooms of the kids. You can hear everything and keep the cats out.

Answer 4

It's normal just make sure you have a litter pan where the cat usually hangs out around and it should be fine. But, I have 2 cats.
Now, one of them is constely peeing on the beds. So what we do is close the door, and it always helps cause they can;t get in! But oof course, that could be dangerous for such a young child! U never want to close a dor on an infant so young. So, what i would recommand is leave it open, but, only in the day when you can watch your cats where they go! But, in the night, keep it open still, but, put your cats in a room with bedding, food, water, and
toys etc.. for the night and u shoukd be fine! Once the baby gets older you can start closing the doors more! =)

Answer 5

I would agree with you that the cats are attempting to assert dominance. Somehow, you need to arrange things so that the cats cannot get into the crib (and preferably not even into the same room as the crib); otherwise, you are unfortunately going to have to give some serious thought to getting rid of the cats. Pets are great, but your child is FAR more important, especially with #2 on the way.

Answer 6

Last year my beautiful Manx cat Theodore went out for the evening and never came back. I love cats and the house didn't feel the same without one, so I picked up Lola from a rescue centre. She was very frightened and would pee all over the house. I found Cat Spraying No More� on the internet and the techniques worked almost immediately. I haven't had a problem with Lola since. Amazing!

Can't stop your cat peeing in the house? Then worry no more...

Answer 7

They could be disatisfied with their litterboxes or with recent changes that come with having a baby (such as getting less attention). They could also be marking the territory around the baby to protect him--namely, to make sure no intruder cats show up to hurt him! In my experience, cats tend to love babies and try to protect them as if they were kittens, but it's hard to say whether this is what your cats are doing.

Anyway, I would thoroughly clean the blankets, the crib, and any area in the room which might retain some trace of urine. Then I would try to keep them out of the room as much as possible until they forget all about marking the crib. You can also try Feliway (or other similar products), which are supposed to calm cats' nerves: http://www.catfaeries.com/feliway.html

Answer 8

Get rid of the cats! There is NO WAY I would have any animal using the bathroom in my baby's crib. That is just unsanitary. I know you love your cats but you should be more concerned with your childrens' health. My children mean more to me than any animal. Would you like a cat pissing in your bed all the time?

Answer 9

They are marking territory. The baby has suddenly become more important and they think the baby is just another cat. You have to get rid of them or keep them away from the baby's room. The baby can get very sick!

Answer 10

check to see if the urine odors are cleaned up and then keep the cats out of the baby's room. Be sure they don't have a medical problem because cats can get stressed and then actually get bladder infections because they are holding in their pee too long.