ok, i have 2 1 year old cats, there my life! I am recently married, going on 6 months, and at my old house my cats always used their litter box no problem. When we first moved (about 5 months ago) to this apartment they used their litter box fine... NOW they will use it, but they will also use my couch cushions, the corners, every where.. and the worse thing is, this only happens when we are home! and really it only happens after i'v gone to sleep and my husband is watching tv. I don't know if they are just trying to aggravate ofir, if they have jealousy issues, or what, but i need it to stop! i don't know how to disaplin a cat so that she'll learn, and my husband goes into mad fits and throws them out of the house which i don't like! PLEASE ANYTHING!
2007-08-07 06:13:02 · 8 answers · asked by Brittany M 3 in Pets ➔ Cats
The dreaded Kitty Jealousy............................
If they are using the litter box during the times you both are away. You know they know where it is.
So, I would say some kitty does not approve of the changes.
And if "Daddy" is yelling, it only justifies the actions of the kitty to the kitty.
So, no yelling. Be firm and consistent. Mom you need to do the disciplining. Dad should try to be the loving support for the time of adjustment. Once, maybe twice will be all they need.
I find that the plastic bags are the greatest way to their attention. You can 'beat' the crap out of them with the bag and not hurt them. The noise the bag makes is very impressionable.
2007-08-07 06:28:58 · answer #1 · answered by Dionannan 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Cats are territorial. Moving is quite stressful for them.
Make sure you use a good stain and odor remover, like Simple Solutions or Nature's Miracle, which are widely available. You must get the odor completely removed so they won't be unnecessarily tempted to repeat their mistakes.
Take them to the vet to insure that there are no underlying health issues. Your vet will also be able to talk to you in depth and better assess the problem and provide advice or treatment.
Correct them with a sharp verbal command and a loud clap of the hands IF you catch them at it. Otherwise, all correction is futile.
Animals do what works. Try to think like a cat. What they are doing is not necessarily spiteful, but it could be. If so, reducing the number of changes (type of litter, type of boxes, number of boxes, type of soap used for cleaning, amount of playtime, etc.) in their world is a great way to start. Make sure the litter boxes are scooped daily.
Failing all else, try keeping a water-filled squirt gun in the fridge and bringing it out when you get home in the evening. Use it if you catch them in the act!
Good luck!
2007-08-07 06:45:23 · answer #2 · answered by Spots^..^B4myeyes 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It sounds like jealousy, throwing them out of the house is going to have the exact opposite effect your husband wants, however. Pick up the poo and put it in the litterbox, then take her over to the box and let her see the poo in the box and praise her.
If you catch them in the act of potty'ing somewhere they're not supposed to, give them a squirt of water from a squirt gun or water bottle - don't let them see it's from you.
Clean the areas where the've potty'ed with an enzyme cleaner - that will remove the smell and hopefully they'll be less likely to potty there.
You can also buy a product called "No Spray" at the pet store. It has a distinct smell that cats dislike and they will stay out of that area. (I've used it and you can only smell it if you spray too much - it only takes a little bit). It usually comes in an aerosol can.
Good luck!
2007-08-07 06:20:16 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If your cats are 21 and always used the litter box before, I'd look for a physical or medical explanation; Not enough litter boxes, bladder inflammation, etc.
For what it's worth, my vet said to spray "Feliway" on the furniture and especially where they are tempted to "litter" and shouldn't. It is a calming, comforting scent but people can't smell it.
I've also heard to feed the cat in the area you don't want them to mess up; they don't want to mess where they eat.
2007-08-07 06:26:44 · answer #4 · answered by The First Dragon 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
are your cats male? if they are, they are starting to get of the age when they mark their territory and you know what they are marking it with! if they're male, getting them neutered will usually stop this. if they're female, then they are telling you they hate your husband and if he keeps throwing them out of the house, when they come in this behaviour will only get worse. you have to stand up to your husband and tell him his behaviour is only making things worse. so, if he stops it'll help some. also, have you changed your litter? if so, they may hate the new stuff. are you changing it frequently enough? if not, this could be what i refer to as "disgruntlement," on their parts. also, don't try and make them interact with your husband, they think you made a bad choice. just get him to leave them alone, period. take them to bed with you because when he's still up they're letting him know what they think of him. if he's willing to be decent, besides having him stop throwing them out of the house, try letting him feed them and him being affectionate wouldn't hurt, either. my pets have always been excellent judges of character: i hope i'm wrong but maybe they know something about him you don't? i wish i would've listened to my pets a few times because they were right and i was sure sorry i didn't! remember: you were their human FIRST, before him. hope this helps.
2007-08-07 06:27:55 · answer #5 · answered by puffnagel 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's your man. He's leaving his smell all over the place, when it used to be just them and you. :) It's also the new house - it probably has a lot of old smells in it, and they want it to smell like them. I doubt they're doing it out of spite for you or your new house, they're probably just marking their territory.
I'd talk to your vet about it - see if there's any way you can make them stop "marking" your house. (Even females "spray", it usually just looks like peeing.. but I've caught my one cat with her tail in the air, spraying.)
The only other thing I can advise is when you catch them doing it, get mad, pick them up and put them in their cat box, and tell them "It's MY territory!!"
You can also tell your husband to handle them as much as possible.. that'll make sure they're not trying to "mark" him out of their territory.
It's probably just the new house.. the smells are weird, so they're trying to make it more like "home".
2007-08-07 06:24:53 · answer #6 · answered by customfordgirl79 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think they are just exploring the place. Perhaps they are wondering which place in the house is better to poop in. Consult a vet or Petco or something, they will know how to dicipline a cat if they don't stop after a while.
Hope I helped!
-Lil' Princess
2007-08-07 06:17:21 · answer #7 · answered by Lil' Princess 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Your choice: your husband or your kitties.
2007-08-07 06:31:14 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋