5 cats weeing and pooing in the house

Question
QUESTION: I hope you can help me, I have five cats and they have all started weeing and pooing in the house.  Initially it started with my 11 year old female cat who started urinating on soft furnishings, washing or anything soft left lying around the house.  I spoke to my vet about this as she had an operation 3 years ago to remove one of her legs due to an accident and I wondered if this could effect her (front leg(  he thought that the only thing I could have done is to have her put to sleep (I have tried litter trays around the house DAP keeping doors closed etc she always managed to find something to wee on) I didn't take this advice because she is a very healthy cat.  The only problem now is that I am thinking I should have taken this advice as I now have the problem that the other cats have started doing the same presumably a territorial thing.  One of my male cats has started jumping up onto my kitchen sides and spraying (all of my cats have been neutered or spayed) this morning i found that one of them has weed on my teatowel in the kitchen as well.  I am now at the end of my tether and wondered if you had any advice ( I do work during the day and have tried locking them out during the day they have a shed in the garden that they can use for shelter and food and water, but all they seem to do is wait until I come in and still wee in the house.

I don't understand what has happened as they have not had any changes in their life.

I would really appreciate your help in this matter

Tracey

ANSWER: Tacey,

I would find a new vet! I would NOT go to one that would suggest putting a healthy cat to sleep that could be saved! And NEVER think that you should have followed his advice!!

Your 11 year old (60 years old in human years) may have any number of aging problems causing her behavior: kidney infection, kidney failure, arthritis, etc. She needs to have an 'elderly cat exam' to check the function of her kidneys, liver, and thyroid. I am also including a good link for information on the elderly cat: (copy and paste, or type the whole link into your address bar)

http://www.sniksnak.com/resources/geriatric.html

About the other cats: is the litterbox in an open area? Some cats prefer privacy. Try moving the box to another area. Are you not playing with them or giving them as much attention as you used to? Also try a bigger litterbox with deeper litter. Or try some children's play sand one time. You can get it at Home Depot or other building supply store.

You need to reverse the litterbox habits of the other cats. Instead of long explanations I am including some good links to articles that will be helpful to you:

http://www.geocities.com/heartland/pointe/9352/litterboxhelp.html

http://cats.about.com/cs/behavioralissues/a/outsidebox_two.htm

http://www.apbc.org.uk/article10.htm

Tabbi




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

QUESTION: I have had my 11 year old checked and everything seems to be fine I do agree with you I would never have a healthy animal put to sleep.  With regards to the litter trays I have two sorts of trays one thats enclosed and one thats open I have tried sand and this didn't work I have also tried loads of different types of litter. I do play with them they also play with each other, they really are treated well. Any more advice would be appreciated

Answer
Tracey,

You can get rid of the top to the enclosed litterbox. Cats don't like surprises and like to see if another cat is around when using the litterbox.

You probably should have your other cats checked for urinary tract infections. If they have all been eating the same food (tuna, lots of fish products, etc.) they ALL could have one which would cause the inappropriate elimination behavior.

You also can use Comfort Zone with Feliway spray and plug-ins. It is a cat stress calming product that is very popular and it helps with urine marking problems. You can try PetSmart, a vet, or on-line. Here is a website that has info on it: (copy and paste, or type the whole link into your address bar)

http://www.farnampet.com/products.php?cmd=search&search_cat=100002&key=feliway&i

Hope this additional info helps.

Tabbi