pee on carpet in closet

Thread view:

Enable EMail Alerts

Start New Thread

Thread rating:

k conover - 13 Sep 2003 17:27 GMT

We just moved to a new house and I've decided to keep my orange tabby inside
because the street is busier and he's been less friendly to cats visiting
the yard lately, he got in a really bad fight at our old place!
I like to leave the door open (with the screen door shut) so that he can
look outside, hear the birds, etc., because he really missed it. However,
yesterday, there was a little cat that wanders into our yard and when he saw
her he started hissing, etc., then later went and took a long pee in the
corner of my (carpeted) closet. He has only sprayed a couple times in his
life, so it's probably the stress of the move and the other cat. But do you
think I'm going to have to refrain from leaving the door open so he can see
outside since other cats do wander into the yard? And maybe it's too hard
on him to be able to look outside but not go out?
Any advice or replies are welcome. Thanks!
Kirsten

Reply to this Message

MaryL - 13 Sep 2003 18:15 GMT

> We just moved to a new house and I've decided to keep my orange tabby inside
> because the street is busier and he's been less friendly to cats visiting
[quoted text clipped - 10 lines]
> Any advice or replies are welcome. Thanks!
> Kirsten

This is a known problem when indoor cats see outdoor cats. It is possible
that you may need to keep the door closed (as you suggested). However,
first I would try Feliway.
Feliway is used for behavior modification and can be very useful in reducing
stress. It is available as plug-in diffusers (with refills available) and as
a spray. I use the plug-ins so it can be working all the time, and I keep
them in two different rooms. The spray is excellent for an occasional use
(such as spraying the carrier about 20 minutes before you take your cat to
the vet).

I like to order mine from ValleyVet (http://www.valleyvet.com). They have
better prices than most others, and there is no charge for shipping. The
last time I check, they listed Feliway for $29.95 for a diffuser with one
bottle of Feliway. It is also available as a spray for $15.95. It's a great
product

MaryL

Photos of Duffy and Holly (pictorial history of my blind cat Duffy's
integration into our household):
Duffy, Part I: The Introduction -- http://tinyurl.com/8y54
Duffy, Part II: Life at Home -- http://tinyurl.com/8y56

Reply to this Message

Alison - 13 Sep 2003 23:59 GMT

Hi Kristen ,
Can you fence your yard so he can go out side. It would also keep the
other cats out .
Alison

Reply to this Message

k conover - 14 Sep 2003 07:44 GMT

Alison, I really can't afford to fence right now...plus he could probably
scale a fence and be out in a flash....I've read a lot of stuff about the
Feliway after MaryL's post and I'm going to try that...I'll let you all know
what happens!
Kirsten

> > We just moved to a new house and I've decided to keep my orange
> tabby inside
[quoted text clipped - 25 lines]
> other cats out .
> Alison

Reply to this Message

Alison - 14 Sep 2003 19:06 GMT

> Alison, I really can't afford to fence right now...plus he could probably
> scale a fence and be out in a flash....I've read a lot of stuff about the
> Feliway after MaryL's post and I'm going to try that...I'll let you all know
> what happens!
> Kirsten

Hi kristen ,
I understand , moving's expensive! But it's something to consider
for the future.
I hace some links below that tell you how to do it and cheaply . if
you dont want to fence the whole yard you couls add a run to a down
stairs window so he can come in and out as he chooses.
If he does escape from your house I wouldn't worry to much as hes
used to beong outside and wouildn't gp far.

http://www.feralcat.com/fence.html
A in expensive DIY guide to fencing your garden/yard using netting .

Cat fencing US mail order.
http://www.catfencein.com/

http://www.fabcats.org
has an information sheet you can down load.

Reply to this Message

Cheryl - 14 Sep 2003 21:40 GMT

> http://www.feralcat.com/fence.html
> A in expensive DIY guide to fencing your garden/yard using netting .
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
> http://www.fabcats.org
> has an information sheet you can down load.

I'd add to this list:
www.friendlyfence.com
This is what I used to create an outdoor enclosure, though I did have
to cover it with more mesh.

Reply to this Message

Karen M. - 15 Sep 2003 00:51 GMT

>>Alison, I really can't afford to fence right now...plus he could
>
[quoted text clipped - 28 lines]
> http://www.fabcats.org
> has an information sheet you can down load.

Also, if you have a Home Depot in your area check for the wood cast
offs, like pieces left over from cutting standard size pieces. I just
added a hand-made scratching posts and a bunch of shelves to my outdoor
cat enclosure for under $20 by checking this "scrap pile".

Reply to this Message

Cheryl - 14 Sep 2003 21:37 GMT

> Alison, I really can't afford to fence right now...plus he could
> probably scale a fence and be out in a flash....I've read a lot of
> stuff about the Feliway after MaryL's post and I'm going to try
> that...I'll let you all know what happens!
> Kirsten

I think some cats (mine for instance) get used to visiting cats. I'd
keep the closet off-limits and any other place that may be attractive
to pee in inappropriately. I have strays (being rehomed soon! yay!)
that hang around my house, and even have been trying to get in. While
it caused some misdirected aggression at first, they are all very used
to each other now. It helps that the strays aren't acting in an
aggressive manner, I suppose. Not pertinent to your question but I've
found it interesting lately when my cats go out in their outdoor
enclosure and the stray that's taken over my deck directly above the
enclosure comes down to "hang out" with them. He just lays in the
grass a little out of reach of outstretched claws when Shamrock tries
to "fight"... though he's (Shamrock) stopped doing that lately, too.
They all just sort of stare at each other and communicate in some way
I'll never know about.

Reply to this Message

k conover - 15 Sep 2003 07:07 GMT

Thanks for all of your great advice; I'm going to try leaving the door open
so he can see out and eventually configure something he can go outside
in...Cheryl, what kind of enclosure do you have for your cats...?
Kirsten

> > Alison, I really can't afford to fence right now...plus he could
> > probably scale a fence and be out in a flash....I've read a lot of
[quoted text clipped - 16 lines]
> They all just sort of stare at each other and communicate in some way
> I'll never know about.

Reply to this Message

Cheryl - 15 Sep 2003 23:05 GMT

> Cheryl, what kind of enclosure do you have for
> your cats...?

I bought the mesh material from the friendlyfence link
(www.friendlyfence.com) and used my deck posts to attach it to.
Someone I know was getting rid of a panel that fits into a sliding
glass door so I took it off her hands. :)
http://community.webshots.com/photo/48246898/82978103lvhuIP shows a
picture of my Shadow basking in the sun.

Reply to this Message