Question for cat owners...

[Evelien]

I've had cats (one kitten) before, but this has never happened to me... I need help. I've had my two kittens for four weeks now, they're 12 weeks old. They knew what the litterbox was for right from the start, but up to this date they keep peeing everywhere else too. It's happening less frequently now but that's probably only because we've taken away opportunities. They pee on our cushions/pillows, on the sofa, our laundry, our bags, our dinner table (!!), and a few days ago Mila jumped on my legs when I was sitting on the sofa... just to pee on them.

They seem happy, not stressed, they play together all the time and they get a lot of attention from us. They have two litter boxes, one in the living room and one in the hallway - I've heard that three would be best but I wouldn't know where to put it. XD

We've removed a big sitting .. thing.., like a Fatbox so to speak, and all of our cushions/pillows from the sofa, so they can't pee on them anymore. We've got them stored away right now.

When we see them do it, we immediately pick them up and put them on the litterbox. We also spray their peed-on spots with a special spray that removes the scent, so they won't (or shouldn't) do it again. I'm out of ideas. Any tips?

[ShadowKat]

My in-laws had a similar problem with their 2 cats when they first brought them home, only with number 2. For them at least, they seemed to get better as they got older about knowing where their litter is. It was just a battle about catching them before they do it and putting them in their box, and cleaning up when you couldn't catch them in time. After a few months they stopped going all over the place.
One thing that can help deter them from going just anywhere, cats hate the smell of citrus, especially orange. You can rub the inside of an orange peel on soft surfaces and that should help deter them. It will also help deter from scratching.
Sorry I can't help more, it really just seems to be a waiting game.

[PerlaNemesis]

My cat learned everything from his mother so such things never happened. Once I had little kitten taken from street and sometimes he would pee in the flat while at other times he did that outside. My parents cat also had similar problem. However I can't really help you. Maybe you should try scolding them and lightly hitting? When my cat does something wrong I always lightly hit (he doesn't even feel it but usually stops that he was doing) him.

[Evelien]

I wouldn't feel comfortable doing that, I do spray water on them when it happens though... Although I've been told that this will make my cats mean :-/I'm gonna try the citrus tip, see if that helps

[PerlaNemesis]

Yeah, I suppose my suggestion isn't the most comfortable one. Never tried water spraying so I can't say for sure if that's alright or not. My great-grandma also raises her voice on my cat when he's stealing food and so far that's the most effective way. But when again, he's adult cat not kitten... I hope that citrus tip will help. ^^

[Yanagi-sen]

Strangely enough, my orphan kitten has never had an issue like this. Maybe having all those siblings using the pan trained her... cause the mother certainly wasn't around long enough to do it.

Each of my cats has their own litter pan. When I brought the kitten home, she stayed in the bathroom (linoleum floor) during the day when I wasn't home and at night. After a couple weeks I started letting her wander at night, and then after a couple more weeks left her loose during the day as well (as soon as I knew the older cat wasn't going to try to eat her).

I've used spray bottles for both cats, neither has become mean. They both know what the sound of the water sloshing in the bottle means though. ^_~ I have also given light swats for things, but only really serious ones, like dangerous things.

I did have a cat growing up that would not use the litter pan if it was dirty at ALL! And with three cats that wasn't easy to keep up with. Maybe you have picky cats and need to keep it SUPER clean. Or maybe they don't like the litter you use.

Good luck! Hope you don't end up like Kiki and kicking the kitties out to an enclosed terrace! (she IS in Puerto Rico, Farf and Miaka aren't going to freeze!)

[Evelien]

I'm trying to keep the litter boxes as clean as possible, plus I'm using Catsan, which eliminates the smell (yay! I started with a cheaper kind but switched REALLY fast).

They're not stupid, they know the rules, it seems. They get on the dinner table but when I enter the room they usually jump off immediately, lol. Just now I caught Mila in the act of getting ready to wizz over my sports bag and she KNEW she was doing something bad because as soon as I got up from my chair, she RAN like the wind, lol. Funny though, I put her on the litter box and she got out immediately, as if she didn't need to pee at all. Silly cat...

[Jobee]

Try sticking them in the litter box after they eat. Put their food down where they eat, let them eat, then put them in the nearest litterbox. They don't have to go right away, but at least it's a reminder. They'll get used to the concept of going there after they eat.

[mica]

yes, orange scented spray of any sort. I used a pet away spray & it just smelled like orange.
Just remember that it will get on you & they wont like it (lol)
it is good for training them not to scratch furniture too.
I would leave one ball of pee in the box to stimulate them.
Maybe they will get better once spayed, but man!
Reading the web I see people saying to use "cat attract" in the box.
http://www.catforum.com/forum/37-behavi ... blems.html

[kittyasauras]

I've never really had that problem, so I'm not sure what to tell you either.

The only time I had something happen like that was when one of my adult cats started peeing on random crap. But it would only be like a tinkle and then she'd go and do it on something else. Ended up she had a urinary track infection.

Maybe put them and a litter box in the bathroom when you aren't home? I'm sorry, I'm not sure.