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I have two female ragdoll cats 7 months old, they are sisters from the same litter. They have a problem with peeing on beds, pillows and other personal items like backpacks and purses. I have 3 litterboxes and clean these at least once sometimes twice a day. They are definitely using the boxes most of the time but recently I find a couple of inappropriate pee spots a day. I am using enzymatic cleaner to clean these things completely. Not sure what to do at this point to stop this behavior.
Optional Information: Pet's Gender: Female Pet's Age: <1 Name of Cat: Padme an Luna Already Tried: Cleaning all urine, keeping litter boxes very clean, have 3 litter boxes
Hi Cynthia,
I am sorry you are having trouble with Padme and Luna.
Are they spayed
How long are they soiling out of box?
Do they only do it on your things?What cat is head kitty (alpha)?
Thanks,
Terri
They are not yet spayed. We had this problem when we first brought them home at 7 weeks. We discovered that they didn't like the litter we were using. After changing litter we had no trouble until 2 weeks ago when Luna started peeing everywhere all of a sudden. She peed on a garbage bag I was filling while cleaning out a bathroom cabinet, she peed on my and my husband's bed and my son's bed. This went on for a few days then slowed down. Now Padme has gotten into the act and she has peed on my bed, my daughter's pillow and my coach purse. Luna is the alpha kitty. They mostly do it on my husband an son's things but occasionally get mine and my daughter's things. My son tries to never let them in his room as they would probably pee on his bed anytime they get in there.
Dear XXXXX,
Thanks so much for your reply with very helpful information. I now have a clear picture of your girls.
Please give me a few minutes to type detailed answer.
Warm regards,
Thanks, XXXXX XXXXX for your reply
I am sorry you are having this trouble with your girls.
Let me go over the possible causes for their behavior.
At seven months they are now "teenagers" with raging hormones. One or both may be going into heat.That caused their urine to smell different to each other.
Since Luna is the alpha she may be marking to say to Padme This is MINE! I own this!" Padme may be marking over her to attempt a take over or just to say "HEY, I live here too, see me!"
This is the way cats act when they live together.They "talk" with their urine. They have a specific language the use to communicate with each other.
You do not need a behaviorist for cats. They are really quite easy to understand.
They do not rationalize, nor are they capable of in depth thought or reasoning.
Everything they do is basic, logical (to them) and makes perfect sense.
In a cat hierarchy a strong kitty will always try to take over and assume the head cat position. In addition, that is always subject to changes if cat one senses weakness in cat two. Cats DO work things out in their own way and they could care less what humans (or behaviorists) think. They only respond to the energy of another animal be it feline, canine or human. Punishment is useless and counterproductive because they simply do not understand being hurt - they would just try to avoid the hurter in the future but it would not teach them anything.(except fear)
Cats do not follow a pack leader the way dogs do but they do sense their human parents energy and respond accordingly - so if you are nervous, they will be nervous. If you are stressed, they are stressed as well.
Of course being in heat is very stressful to a cat. If their human parents get "upset" with them, that leads to more stress and stress can lead to illness.So a urinary tract infection is also possible.
UTI's must be treated with an effective broad spectrum antibiotic like Clavamox or clidamycin and for a long enough duration so all bacteria is eradicated. If not, they will refluorish, stronger and more resistant and re infect her . In addition, the bacteria can become tolerant of the same antibiotic so the medication should be varied for best results.
http://www.sniksnak.com/cathealth/cystitis.html
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/32507/feline_cystitis_symptoms_and_its_treatments.html
Ways to fix this and stop the behavior.
Give each cat a drop of cranberry juice every day to lower the PH of their urine.
Wash any soiled items in an enzyme cleaner
then spray with feliway to "fool" them into thinking theitems are already marked.
Get a felway plug-in It goes into an outet like glade and is calming to cats.
Put rescue remedy in their water.
http://www.petplace.com/drug-library/feliway/page1.aspx
http://www.rescueremedy.com/products/
Please let me know how things go. If I have not covered everything please Use the continue conversation button to talk further to me. Please do not rate my answer unless you are 100% satisfied.
I will always be here for you...
Warmest best wishes,
Would it help to get them spayed? I plan to do this but the vet didn't want to do it until between 7 an 9 months
Yes, absolutely getting them spayed will solve a multitude of problems.
I don't understand why the vet said wait till they are 7 - 9 months. In most cases we prefer to spay before a cat has her first heat. As long as a cat weighs over 3 lbs and is healthy it is safe to spay her.
So please talk to your vet about this as soon as possible.
I hope this helps your two beautiful girls and the marking stops.Give them a few weeks post spay for the hormones to leave their bodies.
I LOVE Rag dolls! I have two myself!
Please let me know what happens.
Very fondly,
Terri,Thanks so much, just made an appointment for Tuesday to get them both spayed. I hope this solves the problem as they are so sweet nature and perfect in every other way. I'll let you know if that does the trick.
You are more than welcome, Cynthia.It was my pleasure to help someone as wonderful as you!
In the meantime, use the feliway, rescue remedy, enzyme product and cranberry juice.
Your two purrfect girls are VERY lucky to have YOU!
Experience: Expert in feline health and behavior. 20 years experience with cats.
Hi Cynthia,Just following up to see how the girls are doing.Warmly,Terri