posted 07-11-2003 10:17 PM         

As if that wasn't enough the 1yr old siamease/alley cat mix pees on any towels, sheets, comforters that are anywhere he can get to them, as well as the futon. If those things aren't around he uses the cat box, and he poos in the cat box always. We have tried the furniture spray thats supposed to keep them off... just made them jump up all the more and wander around sniffing. We used all the same cleaners we used in the hall and none worked. He has been fixed since we got him at 3-4 months of age, but according to all the packages we read he is not spraying because thats a small amount and he pees a huge amount. I can't have him doing that, he peed on my son's matress/sheets. We had to buy a whole new set which is costly.

The third cat uses the bathroom just fine, but we would have to get rid of him as well if we got rid of the other two because when we took the other two to the vet a while back the whole time they were gone the orange tabby meowed like someone was swinging him around by his tail and didnt shut up except for a few min here and there when he slept, he didn't even eat the whole day and 1/2 they were gone.

posted 07-11-2003 11:28 PM         

I also have a new baby and can complety understand your concerns. That is quite a situation. My inital suggestion would have been to use a spray to neutralise the scent so they wouldn't return - but you've tried that. My second thought is that there maybe too many cats for the space you live in if they are soley indoor cats. I had two cats in a 700 sq foot apt and even though they are litter mates, they were competing for attention, space, food etc. Since moving into a house with plenty of space for the both of them, their personalities and attitudes towards each other have changed for the better. I'm sure the situation when you went away certainly doesn't help matters, seeing thats what looks like to have started the issue. Have you tried an extra large litter box, such as a really long and wide storage bin (3' x 3'x 12-15" deep) Maybe a larger space would help?

I don't know if you considered this, but from the sounds of it, you would like them to all go to one home as you mention the orange tabby doesn't like to be seperated. If you give them up to a shelter, there is a very good chance they will be seperated. And if the new owners do not realise they are adopting a cat with litter box problems, your kitty could be headed to a shelter without a "no kill" policy or abondoned. Its a horrible thought, but one you must consider if you love your pets. If possible, can you place them with a friend or family who you can keep in touch with and who you know won't seperate them and will work on their problem with them?

Good luck.

posted 08-22-2003 12:15 PM         

quote:

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they still haven't learned the crib is not THEIR bed

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there are a few things you can do about this as well. one, obviously, is just close the door to the baby's room.

there is also a 'crib tent' you can get, looks like this:

from Tots In Mind