in desperate need of help, cat spraying

I don't post much on this board since losing my dog Kasey, just because it has been too hard for me dealing with her loss. I am still just so sad over it. But I am in desperate need of help because I might have to rehome my two cats.

So we moved back to New York and when we did my cat started to pee on my love seat. We thought it was the stress from the move, the fact that the love seat was Kasey's couch and it still smelled like her, and he was acting out because of the new puppy we adopted.

We took him to the vet and spent over $500 running tests on him. Everything came back normal. We tried ever type of cat off to get him off the couch we have gotten the couches cleaned, soaked them in ammonia, Etc...I mean literally every thing we can think of.

I made the decision after dealing with this for 6 months that if he peed on the love seat again that I would just throw it away, and be done with the whole situation. I also have a 14 month old DS that I need to care for over cleaning couches 3 times a week.

Well today the cat peed on my big couch! He has never done this before. I don't know why he did it. But I can't get rid of all my furniture and nothing I am doing is making him stop. I called the vet and asked her for antidepressants to see if that would maybe help but she wants to run even MORE tests on him and I can't afford that right now.

I am heart broken over having to get rid of my cats. The one that pees has a brother and we can't separate them, so they would both have to go. I am desperate for help.

Re: in desperate need of help, cat spraying

I am in a similar situation. It is my belief that some cats just dont adjust to change. When we moved, my cat was very traumitized. then we had DS. Then we added a new cat.

First, my suggestion would be to isolate the cat with its litter box (I kept my cat in the bathroom for a week).

Second, I only had to take my cat to the vet ONCE. He ran all her bloodwork (and it did NOT cost that much money). He gave her antidepressant (buspar) which caused a side effect, he weaned her off and put her on prozac. (all of this was done WITHOUT having to see her again). So my suggestion would be to call your vet back and let them know you will be going somewhere else unless you're given a prescription.

Third, make sure you're cleaning the area appropriately.

I have read that the when you move somewhere new, that the dominant cat will need to "lay claim" to what is there.

I am by no means an expert here, just going through the same thing, but if you have any questions, please let me know.

Re: in desperate need of help, cat spraying

Posted by Domino

I am in a similar situation. It is my belief that some cats just dont adjust to change. When we moved, my cat was very traumitized. then we had DS. Then we added a new cat.

First, my suggestion would be to isolate the cat with its litter box (I kept my cat in the bathroom for a week).

Second, I only had to take my cat to the vet ONCE. He ran all her bloodwork (and it did NOT cost that much money). He gave her antidepressant (buspar) which caused a side effect, he weaned her off and put her on prozac. (all of this was done WITHOUT having to see her again). So my suggestion would be to call your vet back and let them know you will be going somewhere else unless you're given a prescription.

Third, make sure you're cleaning the area appropriately.

I have read that the when you move somewhere new, that the dominant cat will need to "lay claim" to what is there.

I am by no means an expert here, just going through the same thing, but if you have any questions, please let me know.

Re: in desperate need of help, cat spraying

Omg... it sounds like your vet is really insensitive and I would definitely go elsewhere.
I'm so sorry you're going through this and I hope you find a solution.
My cat had a serious adjustment problem (adjusting to a new cat) and she peed everywhere, on everything. We moved in November, and didn't take the other cat with us (he stayed with MIL), and my cat hasn't peed on a single thing since.
I too had a milion tests run on her. I hope you can find a solution that enables you to keep your kitties - my heart breaks for you.

Re: in desperate need of help, cat spraying

Sorry but try another vet

My cat did that and found out he was diabetic. I tried every spray under the sun to make him stop. Little did I know.

Sorry you're going through this.

Re: in desperate need of help, cat spraying

Re: in desperate need of help, cat spraying

I had the same problem with my cat and the vet was no help. I finally found a vet that said it was not a medical problem but a behavioral one and recommended a vet that specializes in this. Here a link for one I found in Huntington but I am sure you could find one by you.

I found out the problem with mine was she did not like the cover on the litter box.

http://www.whahzoo.vetsuite.com/Templates/ContentPages/Clinic_Info/OurServices.aspx

Re: in desperate need of help, cat spraying

Ahh don't use ammonia!! It's only making it worse! Since cat urine is Ammonia based you should not use an Ammonia based cleaner (most household cleaners contains Ammonia) to clean the cat urine spots because it will only entice your cat to urinate on the same spot again. Try Natures Miracle they sell it at the pet stores. Also you can put foil where they pee or moth balls. I would guess it's def behavioral though. I had a roommate who got a cat then she moved out and left the cat! The cat was so upset it peed everywhere. We couldn't keep it, so I asked my mom to take her to see if she just peed here because she missed her mommy and sure enough she didn't pee at my moms house and she had 2 male cats. Well she did pee on my moms bed every time my sister would stay the night but I guess she just couldn't stand my sister!

Re: in desperate need of help, cat spraying

Re: in desperate need of help, cat spraying

Message edited 3/21/2011 7:55:37 AM.