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JennzR · Feb 5, 2013, 10:07 AM

I have a 7 yr old siamese male fixed cat. In recent yrs I started a new relationship, my boyfriend moved in with his female cat. My cat tried peeing on my boyfriend and peed on his clothes. After awhile he stopped or did it rarely. Then we adopted a dog and went through same issues but eventually they decreased to almost no peeing. So we assumed adopting another dog the cat's hatred would be temporary but we're going on 4 months now of the cat peeing in laundry room, on dog's bed and on dog's blankets. This is behavioral issue, not medical. Is there any way to get my cat to stop doing this??

Wondergirl · Feb 5, 2013, 10:18 AM

It might be how you are introducing all these animals into the household that needs tweaking. Also, my rescued Abyssinian (similar temperament to Siamese) was very possessive of my affection, so I had to constantly talk to him and reassure him I loved him best and give him lots of attention and keep a special eye on him when a new cat came into the household.

Check with your vet to make sure there isn't a medical problem and ask about behavioral ideas.

JennzR · Feb 5, 2013, 10:27 AM

There isn't a medical problem, he goes for his regular vet visits, I already spoke with his vet, it's a behavioral issue. The first dog has been here for 4 yrs, the second 4 months and the problems are worsening. Also he's not an affectionate cat to begin with, he doesn't liked to be held or cuddled at all. I keep the dog items and food in separate rooms than the cat's things. I'm going to throw out the dog bed and hope he doesn't decide to pee in a new spot.
What I am looking for is advice on way to stop the peeing and hatred of the dog.

Wondergirl · Feb 5, 2013, 10:32 AM

Do you talk to him and explain where you are coming from and what you want to happen?

Gradually introducing the new dog would be how I would do this.

JennzR · Feb 5, 2013, 10:40 AM

The dog has been here for 4 months so we're passed the "introduction" period. And I don't think my cat will listen if I explain my feelings.
I am removing anything the cat will want to mark that is the dogs, I just cleaned out the laundry room and did a scrub down, and placed puppy pee pads around the litter.
I'm looking for anyone who had similar situation that has advice.
I spoke to vet, yet again, today on phone, they said it's a behavioral issue and the only thing to do is find the cat a dog-free home.
I am trying to find ways to keep him and fix the situation.

Wondergirl · Feb 5, 2013, 11:01 AM

Originally Posted by JennzR

I don't think my cat will listen if I explain my feelings.

Try it!

Pee pads??

Aurora_Bell · Feb 5, 2013, 11:32 AM

I think since the cat is urinating on dogs bedding etc, it's def a territorial thing. Granted dogs are my specialty, I think re-homing would make the cat a happier kitty.

My cats never listened to me either ;)

Synnen · Feb 5, 2013, 11:41 AM

It's definitely territorial. Some cats do refuse to share space.

Is it possible to give the cat space that is "only his", where no other animal can go? I don't know if that will fix it, but it might make the cat calm down a bit anyway.

JennzR · Feb 5, 2013, 11:54 AM

The cats have all of the upstairs to themselves. The dogs only go up there when we do at bedtime. There is a gate at bottom upstairs the cats can go over or under but not the dogs. The cats food is away in a place the dogs cannot get as well as the litter box. Basically the cats have free range of entire house where the dogs do not. I have a toddler so there are baby gates all over that also keep dogs contained to specific areas.

JennzR · Feb 5, 2013, 11:56 AM

I read online that sometimes placing puppy pee pads around the litter helps for cats that pee outside the litter, I also did a total scrub down in laundry room, where the litter box is. I'm not sure what do to to make the cat feel like he's still King of the house, I try to keep the newest dog away from the cat but he's not quiet got that concept yet.
I tried putting the cat outside but he refused to go.

Synnen · Feb 5, 2013, 12:05 PM

Have you used the enzyme cleaners? I worked for a commercial cleaning company for a short time, and you would not BELIEVE how long cat urine can stain things. Take a black light into the room where the cat is peeing and you can see all of the areas--even the ones you've already scrubbed--that the cat can still scent. An enzymatic cleaner will help with removing the scent completely.

The bigger problem is to keep it from happening. Most of the things I know to keep a cat from peeing outside of the box will ALSO keep your dog from using its bed---taping tin foil to the area and putting a plastic runner down with the prickly side up are two of the best I've used---but I've mostly had issues with the multiple cats and peeing in the plants thing, not with fighting over territory with a dog.

I am NOT an expert in cats, unfortunately... I've just had one that I had to "re-train" from peeing in plants, and really it just took adding more litter boxes to the house and wrapping the plants in foil to make him stop. I wish I had better suggestions for you.

JennzR · Feb 5, 2013, 12:27 PM

No I've never used those cleaners but I was looking as some online today. I literally just threw the dog bed in the garbage. The dog has one more bed but its in his kennel and I keep the door locked. I'm going to see if I can find ways to make the cat feel like he's King again and then maybe he won't feel the need to dominate the dog by peeing. Thanks!!

Alty · Feb 5, 2013, 01:46 PM

Cats are very finicky when it comes to accepting new people or pets into their home. How long did it take for him to grow accustomed to the first dog?

It may be that this time the transition will take a bit longer, so I would give it a bit more time, continue doing what you're doing, try to keep them separated as much as possible, make sure that the cats litter box is cleaned on a daily basis, and that you clean up any spots he pees on immediately.

Put all clothes away right away, either in the closet, or in a closed laundry hamper.

Does the cat ever pee in front of you? Do you catch him in the act? If so, what do you do?

Like Bella I'm more of a dog expert, and bunny expert, but bunnies and cats are very similar. Not exact, but similar enough that some of the tricks I use on my rabbits, may work on your cat.

If you catch him peeing, take him directly to the litter box, show him that this is where he's supposed to go. You may even want to take one of the shirts he's peed on and place it near, or under the litter box.

Make sure that he's getting lots of attention. Always greet him before you greet the dog, pet him before the dog gets pets, make sure he knows that he's still number one.

He adjusted to other pets coming into the home, so there's no reason to think he won't adjust this time. It just may take a bit more time.

Good luck. :)

Enigma1999 · Feb 5, 2013, 03:36 PM

Yes express your feelings to your pet, and while you're at it why don't you get yourself a straight jacket.

Aurora_Bell · Feb 5, 2013, 03:39 PM

Lol!

Aurora_Bell · Feb 5, 2013, 03:56 PM

Maybe you could get a book from the library and have the cat read the book. A picture book on house breaking would be ideal! Hahahaah

JennzR · Feb 5, 2013, 03:59 PM

I have him listed online up for adoption, I am going to be very very picky as to who I let adopt him. In the meantime I am going to see if he will go outside, try the puppy pee pads, and see if I do certain things he feel like he's King again, spoiled and the most important pet. If I have an awesome home for him then great, if no one adopts him and I can break his bad behaviors even better. Worst case scenario I live in a farming community and he'd be a great mouser, he's a badass and I'll just be sure to find a farmer who treats their barn cats well.
If anyone else has tips for me, please share!

hheath541 · Feb 6, 2013, 04:35 PM

Unfortunately, I have no experience integrating dogs and cats, so my advise may be useless. I do have cats I had to break of that habit, though. Although, in my case they would pee on my bed, or me, when they thought I was neglecting them.

What I did, was isolate them when that happened. It was an attention seeking measure, so I made it clear they were not going to get any attention, by locking them out of the room. Since your cat is not overly affectionate, that may not work. However, it might be worth a try.

The next time he pees somewhere, lock him in a room, or even in a cage. It's basically the same concept as crating a misbehaving dog as punishment. If you don't actually catch him peeing, take him to the pee spot so he smells it, verbally reprimand him, then lock him away. It's not an instantaneous solution, but it may help given enough time, and consistancy.

Other than that, I really don't know what to do about passive aggressive behavior. He's trying to assert his dominance and drive the dog off, but that obviously is not going to happen, because the dog can't exactly work. Usually, integrating a new animal involves getting the existing pets used to their smell, but putting a dog blanket in with the cat will only make him even more territorial.

Is there any physical aggression between the animals?

I'm sorry I can't be of more help.

Alty · Feb 6, 2013, 04:38 PM

Great post Heath.

Just have one thing to point out, and I realize that this thread is about the cat, but this OP also has dogs, and I want to make sure that she, and anyone else that reads this, is clear about one thing.

It's basically the same concept as crating a misbehaving dog as punishment.

Never ever ever put a dog in a crate for punishment. For a dog the crate is a safe haven, a den. A crate is only to be used for sleep, when the owner is at work, and that's it. Never for punishment. If it's used for punishment it's no longer a safe place, it's a horrible place they won't want to go near.

Just wanted to make sure the OP knew that. :)

hheath541 · Feb 6, 2013, 05:52 PM

Thanks, Alty. I'm am far from being a dog expert, so I apologize for the mistake.