very concerned

Question
QUESTION: Hi Tabbi. I got a new problem lol. My cat Pebbles is having lots of accidents. We've had her for going on three years, we have another car which she has accepted. Just this summer we moved in with friends who have two cats of their own. One male one female. Pebbles is constantly peeing on my pillows and pooping all over the room when everyone is gone and we leave the bedroom door open. But when we lock her and our other cat in while we are all gone, she has no accidents. I'm very concerned, and yes I am cleaning and washing the area's she has accidents on. Is it a territorial issue she is having or is this her way of saying she is unhappy? Please tell me what I can do. She's my little angel and I don't want her unhappy. Not to mention I'm spending a fortune on cleaning supplies lol. Please help ^^

ANSWER: Hi Courtney!

Pebbles sounds like she is having emotional problems that stems from being left alone with the other cats, or just being left alone. When a cat pees on your pillow it can mean that she is upset with you and that is a way of telling you. The bladder is a cats stress target.

Is it possible that the other cats terrorize her (even if it's just trying to play) when no one is around, and that is really scaring her? Or do they not let her get to the litterbox?

There is a slight possiblity that it could be a medical problem too. She could have a urinary tract infection, urinary crystals, or a digestive system problem like intestinal parasites. It is painful when a cat goes to the bathroom then they will associate that pain with the litterbox and go elsewhere. You may want to rule out a medical issue causing her behavior before dealing with it as a behavioral problem. But something is definitely wrong, and it doesn't sound like a territorial issue.

Here is a 'receipe' for cat urine odor removal:

1 quart of 3% hydrogen peroxide
1/4 cup baking soda
1 teaspoon of liquid soap

(3% hydrogen peroxide can be bought at most grocery and drug stores in pint and quart bottles).

Gently mix all ingredients in a non-metal container. Do not mix or shake vigorously!

The mixture is best used when fresh but can be stored. Do not keep mixture in an airtight container.  Have a VERY loose lid as baking soda and hydrogen peroxide when mixed together will release oxygen and an airtight container will explode. You can mix and keep it in large spray bottle (Home Depot, etc.) but a plastic liter or 2-liter soda bottle works just a well.

Always test for color-fastness. Hydrogen peroxide is a bleaching agent in stronger concentrations and can lighten materials that are not color-fast.

HOW TO REMOVE CAT URINE ODOR FROM CARPETS

FOR INDIVIDUAL URINE SPOTS ON CARPET:
If fresh, sop up as much cat urine as you can with a paper towel first. Use a spray bottle to saturate the spot completely with the recipe - do not blot. The recipe must penerate the padding and possibly the floor boards underneath, where the urine has penerated for it to work.

Wait 24-48 hours until dry then vacuum. If the urine odor is still present - repeat the procedure. It usually takes 2-3 applications to completely neutralize the cat urine odor.

FOR LARGE AREAS OF CARPET:

You can use a carpet cleaning machine - one of your own or a rental and use the recipe instead of the shampoo. You will have to make several gallons of the recipe depending on the size of the carpet. Don't use the vacuum part of the machine - you will want to let the solution soak and dry for 24-48 hours before vacuuming.

Most carpet cleaning machines are not made for this use, and baking soda can clog the nozzles of the machine so use caution. Instead, you can use a 1 gallon garden bug sprayer (Home Depot, etc.). Rinse the nozzle out frequently by filling the tank with hot water and spraying it in the bathtub until the nozzle is clear.

If using the sprayer saturate the entire carpet with the recipe, let dry for about 24-48 hours and vacuum. You will have to probably repeat the procedure again. Where heavily saturated with old urine it may take 3 applications over a week.

Also, if the cat urine is old and dried, the smell will probably be worse a day or two later. This is because you are rehydrating the uric acid crystals in the urine to neutralize them. The smell will get better with each application.

CLOTHING, COMFORTERS, AND BEDDING:

Put the items in the washing machine and pour in enough of the recipe to cover throughly. This might take a few gallons depending on the size of the load. Soak for at least 24 hours. Rinse and rewash using normal washing detergent. If any of the odor is still present, soak again for 24 hours, rinse and rewash.

A small area on a comforter can be spot treated by saturating the area throughly, letting it dry for 24 hours, then washing the comforter normally in the washer with detergent. Always check for color-fastness before using.

I hope this will be helpful,

Tabbi





---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Okay, I'll give it a try. But how do I get her to stop if it is not a medical issue? I really don't want to have to get rid of her. That just breaks my heart. And people keep telling me there is no way to clean out cat pee and it'll make me sick if I continue to sleep were she peed regardless of cleaning. Is this true?

Answer
Courtney,

If she doesn't have accidents when she is locked in a room with another cat then I would do that when you leave. She may have a problem with you being gone and her being alone. Some cats have weird quirks or thoughts, and only they know why they do certain things or behave in a particular manner.

No, that's not true that you can't clean cat pee and that it will make you sick regardless of cleaning. I have had MANY cats and MANY accidents, including on the bed, and it has NEVER made me sick. That is a rumor based on what someone erronously thinks. You can use the urine remover receipe I provided previously or buy a commercial one. Either one will neutralize the urine so it is gone.

Tabbi