Evil Kitties Are Evil

[Skipadeedoodah]

I have two male kitties, unrelated about 2 weeks apart in age (both around 8 months). I've had one for about 6 months and the other for about 5 months, and they get along just fine. They were litter trained when I got them, and we have never had any issues with them not using the litter box. Within the past few weeks, one or both of them (I'm not sure since I've never caught either one in the act) have taken to peeing outside their litter box. I originally thought they might have started spraying, but it's not really a spray. When I discover they've peed somewhere it's always on something soft (bathroom carpet, blanket, laundry) and it's not really a "spray" as much as just a puddle or a puddle-esque spot.

The adoption place told me I had to wait until August at the earliest to get them fixed, and with this crap going on it's become the highest of priorities. My questions are basically why are they doing it - how can I make them stop - and will getting them fixed help?

Their litter boxes (I have two) are always kept clean. I use scoopable litter and I scoop it at least once, sometimes twice a day. I have played around with litter a little bit recently to try and find something that does the best odor control for my small bathroom - so is it possible that they don't like the new brand (Tidy Cats) and I switch back to Arm & Hammer? (Say no - I like Tidy Cats better!) I also started using liners for their boxes. I keep them pretty well covered, but Rocky does claw at them alot. Do these picky little assholes just not like these changes?

While we're at it - they themselves don't smell fantastic. They don't smell like litter or urine or anything - just like...smelly cat. This also has only been an issue for the past month or so. I brush them often, and I have kitty wipes and a waterless bath foam thing that I do for them once or twice a week, but it only helps temporarily. Then they lay all over my furniture and I have to scrub it all the time or it starts to smell like them.

Are they just like, getting to be adolescents and they're getting all hormonal and gross like smelly teenage boys?

Even though they piss me off, they are totally precious - look

 

[Cosmo_ac]

well, and this could not be the case, but it's possible one of them might have a bladder infection of some sort. I know my brothers cat had something wrong with it where she would pee outside of her litter box.

 

[desdemona]

Ok, it's asinine that a rescue group told you to wait. My rule of thumb is four pounds/4 months -whichever comes first. After 6 months of age, testosterone kicks in. Marking behavior can start (vertical or horizontal surfaces). And yes, tom cats stink. Get them fixed. ASAP. And yes, you can have them both checked for a UTI while you're at it. You're thinking all the right angles - litter, litter box location, etc. The rule of thumb, btw is you should have one more litter box than number of cats. I also highly recommend not leaving anything on the ground (cats often go on laundry, towels, or anything left in their area). Good luck!

 

[TropicThunder]

you're right, they are precious.

 

[Skipadeedoodah]

Thanks, Deb. I hope you're right. It's totally manageable, but it's grossing me out and I'm tired of cleaning so much LOL I'll bank on it stopping after they get fixed, and come back to this thread and bitch if it doesn't 😀



P.S. I haven't talked to you in forevah! Bella's?

 

[Bellybsgirl]

Awwwwww they're too cute to be evil 😉

 

[april]

They are adorable! I had this same problem with one of my cats, Monty but he was already fixed when this behavior started. I was told by my vet that some male cats will continue to spray even after being fixed. Someone ealse suggested to me that i may not be paying enough attention to him and he may be unhappy, WRONG! You may try switching cat food to a more friendly digestive quality. Monty never did quit this behavior and unfortunately he had to become an outside cat.

 

[paracarl44]

Have you seen pink colored urine?

This is a sign that they have some sort of a bladder problem. When a cat quits using their litter box, they may want it cleaned more often.

 

[Driver Ed]

Those are two really cute kitty-cats you got there. I have a male cat. I got him fixed at about 5 months old. He doesn't spray and he pees outside.

 

[love feet]

Get them to the vet to see if they have an infection
are they left for the day or are you home
Do they get along with each other??.

 

[Skipadeedoodah]

There's no discolored urine.

They adore eachother.

They're not left alone all that often - pretty much only when I work. And even then they have eachother.

They're scheduled to be fixed the 14th. Hopefully that fixes everything.

 

[Dussicar]

I hope things turn around.

Though I am in April's camp on this one. I had two male cats several years ago that did the "pissing contest" thing after being fixed and they both ended up having to be sent outside due to the fact that their spraying never stopped.

Getting them neutered ASAP is a good decision on your part. Whether they get along or not, their basic feline nature will take over regardless. The younger the better, however.

After the deed gets done, keep us posted. Hopefully things work out.

PS: They iz KYOOOOT!!!!!

 

[Skipadeedoodah]

LOL Thanks 🙂 Their appointment is Tuesday. I feel like I should take a picture of their massive balls for posterity - before they're gone for good.

 

[desdemona]

Well... I've had employees ask me to save theirs in formalin. 😛

 

[Skipadeedoodah]

Well... I've had employees ask me to save theirs in formalin. 😛

LOL Oh lord.

Any tips for after the procedure to help with their recovery - above and beyond what they're already gonna tell me?

 

[Skipadeedoodah]

By this time my kitties are officially ball-less. They're staying overnight at the clinic, so I'm all alone tonight 🙁 I miss them. It's too quiet here!

 

[desdemona]

Awwww... overnight?? Did you get them declawed as well?? Because cat neuters are like... well, way too easy to require overnight stay.

At any rate, I hope they are happily recuperating now!

 

[Skipadeedoodah]

Nope, I didn't get them declawed. The clinic just keeps all of them overnight. They're home now and doing very well 😀

 

[Lord Doctor]

This is generally common in older cats. I hope their OK and it's not a sort of feline CJD (or similar)... it can happen 🙁

 

[kopfhorer]

FWIW, I would never de-claw a kitty. He'll have no defenses if he gets confronted by another animal outside. And I think it's cruel. If the cat is wrecking your upholstery, get him something that'll make the sofa look third-rate.

 

[desdemona]

FWIW, I would never de-claw a kitty. He'll have no defenses if he gets confronted by another animal outside. And I think it's cruel. If the cat is wrecking your upholstery, get him something that'll make the sofa look third-rate.

I only asked about declawing because the cats were kept overnight. All of my feline surgeries go home the same day except declaws. I don't endorse doing it, but I want cat owners to be happy with their pets and I've seen more than couches ruined by claws (children's arms and faces). I always offer options to my clients.