fellow cat parents - HELP

[getzystark]

Is he neutered? That will help with fighting and marking significantly.

[JustJudy]

How long have you had him? Is there a space he can have all to himself without the older cats bothering him for whenever you're not home, assuming you're not doing this already.

Also, have you takenhim to the vet to rule out a UTI?

[getzystark]

Also, my 3 year old, neutered cat marked ERRYWHERE when I moved into my second house. The second, not the first...

For whatever reason he was pissed with that move.

Also, when I got a kitten later on, that kitten TORTURED him, and now my cat's kind of an asshole. He doesn't like change.

[getzystark]

Jun 24, 2015 16:19:34 GMT -5 JustJudy said:

How long have you had him? Is there a space he can have all to himself without the older cats bothering him for whenever you're not home, assuming you're not doing this already.

Also, have you takenhim to the vet to rule out a UTI?

The illness is a great point.

Again, said asshole cat, got suuuuper extra grumpy at one point, and we found out he had a really bad kidney infection that required kitty ICU. /ancedote

[getzystark]

Jun 24, 2015 16:20:44 GMT -5 @ismellbooks said:

Jun 24, 2015 16:18:32 GMT -5 getzystark said:

Is he neutered? That will help with fighting and marking significantly.

He is neutered.

It's all a power struggle, I know it is. I told M, and told him I didn't want to bring another male cat into this house. But he talked me into it, and now they're all fighting for control.

Ya I made the made cat mistake as well. They still hate each other, but it has gotten better. However, since my younger cat has gone missing (sad face) the older one has been a lot nicer...JERK.

[kariann12]

He's peeing on things because he feels threatened and is marking his territory. It sounds like the cats need to be separated and reintroduced slowly so that he doesn't feel like he's being threatened. This can be a very LONG process. When you rush it, this is what happens. My male kitten did this when I first got him too.

[pibblemom]

Jun 24, 2015 16:24:19 GMT -5 kariann12 said:

He's peeing on things because he feels threatened and is marking his territory. It sounds like the cats need to be separated and reintroduced slowly so that he doesn't feel like he's being threatened. This can be a very LONG process. When you rush it, this is what happens. My male kitten did this when I first got him too.

All of this. How many litter boxes do you have? You should have at least as many boxes as you do cats. Also, best to get the uti checked out, especially if they eat dry food. Male cats are very, very prone to them, and crystals can be life threatening by blocking the urethra and causing the bladder to rupture. First indication is any aversion to litter, because they make the connection between the litter and the pain. 

[Sammich_Cat]

Jun 24, 2015 16:28:01 GMT -5 @ismellbooks said:

I just a minute ago moved him into the second bedroom, where he's presently throwing himself against the door, and tearing up my carpet. I've got to take my older boy to the vet for a round of shots. I guess maybe Thomas O'Malley needs to come with us.

Even if he doesn't have a UTI, the vet will probably give you some helpful ideas.

Feliway is something that works for many people.

Also, check out the "My cat from Hell" show with Jackson Galaxy. I think you can find them pretty easily. He knows a ton. He used to work at my local shelter so I may be biased.

[JustJudy]

Jun 24, 2015 16:49:59 GMT -5 Sammich_Cat said:

Jun 24, 2015 16:28:01 GMT -5 @ismellbooks said:

I just a minute ago moved him into the second bedroom, where he's presently throwing himself against the door, and tearing up my carpet. I've got to take my older boy to the vet for a round of shots. I guess maybe Thomas O'Malley needs to come with us.

Even if he doesn't have a UTI, the vet will probably give you some helpful ideas.

Feliway is something that works for many people.

Also, check out the "My cat from Hell" show with Jackson Galaxy. I think you can find them pretty easily. He knows a ton. He used to work at my local shelter so I may be biased.

He's amazing. Sorry you're dealing with this @ismellbooks. Cats can be such assholes!

[jags8]

I'm also wondering how many litter boxes there are. A good ratio is at least 1:1, and sometimes even add one more (so 4 boxes for 3 cats)

[queenofcats]

*lurky loo*


It took us a full month to officially introduce our cats. We let them sniff things of each others and bat under the door for the first week, the second week they got to sniff each other, the third and fourth week we let the kitten (Hermione) out only while being supervised. Even then it took awhile for them to fully acclimate to each other. There were a lot of power struggles, but if they aren't drawing blood it's normal for there to be some fighting. Cats are territorial. The peeing is a sign of a territorial struggle, Darcy did that once or twice. It will get better, but it sounds like they need to be reintroduced and done slowly, especially because of the age difference. Kittens can sometimes annoy older cats, so it could take a little longer.

If it helps our cats now love each other. It just took some time to get there.

[ihatepizza]

Natures Miracle (or other odour hiding spray) was a miracle for us because it elimates the scent of urine where it's not supposed to be. Are your little boxes covered ? We have a fussy kitten that needs his uncovered and will ONLY use newspaper instead of litter (took some trial and error). Good luck!!

[league2b3]

@ismellbooks, I also wonder if the boxes are covered. My female ruined the carpet in our spare bedroom in our old apartment. They had to re-seal the floor when we left. When we moved into the house we currently rent, I took her to a vet that is cat only and also deals with behavior. All it took for me to solve the problem was to uncover the boxes. Some cats just don't like it.

Pooping outside the box is typically a health issue. Pee outside is more so behavior.

[azurestar]

As previous posters have said, first rule out a UTI at the vet. If that doesn't work, try a cat pheromone collar. You can find them at Petco or Petsmart. Feliway is the expensive brand, but you can get a generic brand for cheap. It secrets the same pheromones that a cat gets from their mother and helps relax them. It helps with inappropriate marking and aggression. Male cats especially feel threatened by other male cats and will try to mark their territory. It worked wonders for my cat and several of my friends have used them too with their cats.