Help with kitty?

[Eireann]

My new girl is giving me hell. Many of you know that one of my cats had to be put to sleep last December. I got another kitty a little more than three weeks later. I was worried about my surviving girl, and wanted someone to be company for her.

Well - the new girl has a lot of issues, it seems. She's been peeing on the furniture (which led to me banishing both of them from the bedroom; fortunately, she only peed on a coat on the bed, and not the mattress itself). She's often aggressive towards the established kitty, sometimes chasing her, sometimes jumping on her and biting the back of her neck. She walks around chirping much of the time, rubbing against me, and then she starts meowing pitifully. I think she's a very needy kitty, but it's VERY hard to be loving towards her when she's peeing on the furniture and jumping on the counters so that things are broken.

What do I do?

[SengaKitty]

First, with the jumping on things, get a spray bottle, and if she jumps up on a counter, spritz her and say in a very firm, almost loud voice "NO" or "Get DOWN". Don't yell, but speak loud enough to startle her. Eventually you won't need the spray bottle.

Is she spayed? That might help with some of the aggression issues if she's not.

Always be loving. I know it's hard when she's driving you nuts, but you really need to make sure you're loving. I noticed when I started giving my kitties more attention, they were better behaved.

Does she know where her litter box is? Try putting her in the room with her litter box and locking her in there for a few hours. I know it sounds bad, but it will help. There's also a spray you can get (mom just used to mix vinegar pepper and water, if I'm not mistaken) that will keep them from peeing in a place. You can get something that kills the odor, like eats it up, and then they won't even think to pee there.

[Eireann]

The one time she jumped on the counter in front of me, she got a huge "NO". Now, she jumps on the counter when I'm not there.

She is spayed, fortunately.

As for the loves, DAMN this is a needy kitty. I could probably pet her all day and all night, and she'd still come back for me. My other kitty, however, decides when she's had enough, and will walk away.

She does know where the litter boxes are, but if I shut her in there, my other kitty won't be able to access the room, which isn't good.

I'm going to have to get Feliway, as a start.

[SengaKitty]

Well, I hate to say it, but if her behavior doesn't get any better, the rule in our house was last in, first out. Meaning that if she came in after the other kitty, and she's causing issues, she'll be the first to go. I know you don't want to hear it, but you also have to think about other kitty's happiness. good luck I hope it doesn't come to that!

[Eireann]

Yeah, I don't like to think about it - I already had that huge blowup with the shelter woman about kitty, and I can't imagine what would happen if I took her back. She and older kitty have bonded; they often sleep together, and older kitty gets washes sometimes from new kitty. So, it would be hard on all of us if she were sent back to the shelter. I don't want to subject older kitty to these upheavals; my kitty who died in December was devoted to her, and she to him, so I don't want to take another friend (though a sometimes aggressive one) away from her.

My kitty who died also did the biting-the-neck on her, so she's had it before; I just don't want her to go through it again.

[SengaKitty]

Well, the biting of the neck thing is fairly normal for cats. My kittens do that. Believe it or not, they're playing. I know it seems like aggression, but it seems like they're okay together already from what you describe, and the biggest issue is the peeing and counter stuff. Good luck hon!

[Amethyst Hunter]

Feliway or Nature's Miracle (I think that's the name of it) are good for getting out Cat Stinkies.

It sounds like the litterbox problem is more behavioral-related, but if you can afford to, try a vet visit to rule out any possible physical problems. Beyond that, I'm not sure what else I can offer. Good luck to you and kitty!

[Eireann]

Thanks - I have no idea if Nature's Miracle is available here, but my vet can order Feliway for me. He also told me that a colleague of his works with behavioral problems, so I sent an email asking how much she charges.

As for the peeing, she only pees (outside the box) on soft things, such as cushions. And, of course, doing it once means she'll do it again, due to the smell. It's a real pain in the ass.

[BlaqueKatt]

doing it once means she'll do it again, due to the smell. It's a real pain in the ass.

two words-White vinegar

gets rid of the smell-they won't pee there again

[Eireann]

I had a hell of a time washing one of the cushions; it's too big to go in the washing machine, too big to be dry-cleaned, so finally, I soaked it in the bathtub, with laundry detergent and baking soda. I soaked it overnight, rinsed it, then had to leave it to drip-dry.

She still peed on it. Again.

[BookstoreEscapee]

You can look into carpet cleaners if all else fails...they usually do upholstery, too, and I would imagine they would have some tricks for treating pet stains...

[fireheart]

I've got similar problems with our two boys-both neutered.

The only difference however, is that our youngest tends to stick to a few places these days, so we've started putting anything citrus scented in those areas.

[unholypet]

I go for more of a cat-themed discipline with mine.

When my kitten tried to pee on non-litter box things, I'd catch her doing it, and act like I'm biting her neck (when really just pinching and picking her up with the other hand), and take her to the little box. When she jumped out, I would repeat process and "Ree-owr!" at her until she stayed and gave me a submissive gesture.

The counter problem for me was the table. She'd jump up, I'd calmly walk over, stare her in the eye and hiss, then tap her butt until she jumped off. Eventually, she understood that was MINE.

Have you tried rubbing cheeks with your kitty? Its a scent marking thing, and depending on circumstances, a submissive/dominant and also a loving thing. You rub her head with the temple-to-back of your head until the kitty stars head-butting you.

I find that spaying and neutering doesn't help with pee, but I think you mentioned that already... Just take your time and be full of happy thoughts when you love kitty, and dominant in-charge thoughts when you discipline. Pheromones go a long way!

[sexiphatchick]

I'm wondering if she was abused in some way by a previous owner. That could contribute to the peeing everywhere and the excessive neediness. I'd take her to the vet just to make sure she doesn't have any bladder problems, but it just make take some time and patience.

[AriGriffin]

My cat Molly started peeing outside the litter box. I took her to the vet and it turned out she had an urinary tract infection. The vet recommended a change in diet, three litter boxes (I had two cats at the time), and changing the kind of litter (to stop using clay based litter). I have Feline Pine in three and Mimi Litter in the fourth since I added another box after I got the new kitten. It has been a few months and Molly is doing well.