Hi everyone

I hope someone can help as my cats are within days of going to Cats protection for rehoming.

We have 2 cats (sisters) and have had them for 7 years (we got them from an animal shelter when they were 2 years old).

We moved house last year and they were great. The cats are kept in the kitchen at night, with catflap to come and go, and free to roam house in the day, as was the case at the old house.

Problem first started when we put a TV in the kitchen - cat urine started to appear on the screen. In the end it had to be binned because the damage was too bad.

We thought it might have actually been one of the neighbour's cats (they have 3) coming into the kitchen and spraying, ours had never ever done this before. So we ripped out the old cat flap and put in an infrared one so only ours could use it.

That way we would know for sure whether it was ours or another cat.

With the offending TV in the bin (vet advised sometimes that electrical equipment gives off a smell and they don't like it) and a new catflap we thought that would be the end of it.

But urine started to appear on the microwave door. So clearly was one of ours. So we put up stuff to cover the door and it stopped for a while, so we thought.

I then found a couple of weeks back that one of them had sprayed all over a set of very expensive kitchen knives which were on the worktop - which kind of blew the 'don't like electrical equipment' theory apart.

I was advised to make them feel more secure - so I bought new beds, put cat nip everywhere in the kitchen, used a feliway diffuser, and gave them tons of attention.

But the other night I caught one of them scratching the carpet behind the front door and yes, she had just sprayed up the door. I was pleased oddly that I knew which one it was! I had my suspicions as I had seen her spraying the fence outside.

However the next night, the other cat went to the same spot and actually squatted down and peed!!

Now they are both being kept in the kitchen and are on the waiting list to be rehomed at our local Cats protection. I'm absolutely devastated but don't know what else to do. Both have been checked by the vet and there is nothing wrong with either of them. If they are bothered by neighbouring cats I don't know what I can do to help - it's never been an issue before.

Please, please can someone give me advice. I've tried to locate a pet behavioural specialist but there's none round here - we live in Warrington, Cheshire.

I can't bear the thought of them going but I'm at my wits end. Part of me thinks that if they are this upset it would be better to rehome them, but they are so loving and wonderful the rest of the time. I've already told cats protection that they must go to a home together as they've been together their whole lives and cannot be separated.

Sorry for the long post.
Liz

There's been no changes or anything else going on that could have started it?? sometimes it can be the smallest things that can trigger it xx

One of my neuters i'm having this problem with on occasion myself - it's happening less frequently now but still happening - always in a different place though as i use get off sprays and strong disinfectants x with mine it's usually due to something going on with my entires (i,e them having young kittens and me being busier or a girl in full call) theyre separate from each other but there's only doors between them and they know when somethings going on x
Yesterdays mishap on my kitchen sideboard (again but different place) is due to my new girl being in extreme heat and making noises at them under the doors x

it can be a number of things that trigger them peeing in house, you just need to sit and think what the causes could be and eliminate them and then see if it happens again x

also get yourself some nasty smelling stuff to put over where they've pee'd x one good one is white vinegar - stinks to high heaven and they hate it lol xx

i hope you can get it sorted out hun xx

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They are - or were - upset about something. The problem is that once they have got into the habit of peeing in a particular spot they will keep doing it (I have a problem at the moment with a few of mine who have suddenly started peeing at the foot of the stairs, it happens!). Spraying is territorial though and is about feeling secure. I wonder if there is anything outside that is worrying them?

Liz

Is there any real need to confine them of a night? Many years ago we had a rescue moggy and we decided he would sleep in the kitchen of a night (he had a lovely basket and litter tray and toys etc). Every morning we would go in and he had poo'd outside the litter tray. We put extra trays in, paper down (he would go under it!), changed litters - you name it we did it. He was great during the day. This had gone on for almost 3 months and it was getting us down and he was 24 hours from being returned (much as I hated the thought as I loved the little guy). He was a bit off colour one evening and we decided to let him roam rather than confine him (so I could hear if he was ill). He came in, jumped on our bed and settled down. He never made a mess. We continued to let him have the run of the house of a night - he would sleep on our bed and never ever messed outside the litter tray again - only if he ever got locked in a room accidentally. He just craved company.

It does sound like a security issue. Has the vet ruled out any UTI? (I take it they are both neutered?)

Ask your vet about a referal for an animal behavioural specialist - we live in Warrington and a few years back when one of our Raggies had some issues our vet recommended one - think they were based in Chester if my memory serves me right.

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Kaz

For kittens, joy is for the asking and smiles are for the giving

sorry can't help, one of mine keeps spraying too.

Hi, I have just come across your help post. I am so sorry for the situation you are in, it is not nice to have to rehome your beloved cats because of peeing problems. Have you tried washing the area they pee in with a biological washing powder solution? All the other cleaning products contain chemicals that make your cat think another cat has scent marked the area, so they go back again and again to pee. I have worked in a vet clinic for 14 years and have given this advice to many owners in your position, and they have tried it and come back to me a few days later with chocs and wine, thanking me for saving their pets from being rehomed or euthanased. Try soaking the area with the solution, put an old towle over it and stand on it to absorb the solution, until almost dry then just dribble a little of the solution back on the area, just to let the cats know it is wet and it should solve the problem. this can also be used on furniture, lino, laminate flooring and hardwood flooring as it does not mark or stain. Give it a go, I hope it works and you can get on with a happy, normal life with your cats again. Please let me know how it goes, all the best.xx