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Post by beanscrat on Jun 16, 2013 12:46:33 GMT
Hi, hope someone can help. We've recently moved house (5 weeks ago) with our 4 year old female cats (they are sisters). We kept them indoors for the first two weeks, then let them outside in the garden while we were out there. They seemed to settle in fine. We put cat flap in the back door after they'd been going out for about a week, they hadn't used one before but after another couple of weeks they both are using it when they like. We keep them shut in living room at night with litter and food like we did in our old house. Litter is near the back door during the day as they haven't found a toilet outside yet. The previous owners didn't have a cat, but there is one next door.
So, our problem now is that one or possibly both of them, seem to be weeing on the front door mat. It's one of those coarse brown scratchy mats the width of the hall, they've always scratched on the door mat but in the lady couple of weeks there has been wee patches appearing in the corners. We don't know which cat it is as it happens when we aren't there. Firstly, any suggestions how we can stop this as they don't appear to be upset? And secondly any idea how it can be cleaned? Walking in to a wee smelling house is not nice!
Thanks!!!
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Post by scallywag on Jun 16, 2013 12:56:01 GMT
Hi beanscrat and welcome to the forum. I can't give you any advice, but if you look down the threads in the Cat Problems there's one there called Smell of cat wee.. you may get some ideas from that post ? Hope you enjoy the forum , were a friendly bunch. Cats Dogs and all  |
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Post by BorderTerrier on Jun 16, 2013 15:38:06 GMT
The cats are probably leaving their scent (sorry if I am relating too much to dogs??  ) because they are in a new area. Making it their own territory. They will hopefully settle.  And welcome to the forum  |
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Post by tonib on Jun 16, 2013 18:04:50 GMT
Welcome to the forum hope you enjoy it here & get the advice you require.
I'm Toni with 4 rescue cats aged between 4 & 14.
As to the problem & the 2 issues.
Removing the smell - there are sprays available (odour & stain remover) that will work on the source of the smell. As its a door mat don't forget to treat both sides & also the surface underneath. Cats will continue to use areas that smell (to them not necessarily us) of their urine as that is an indication where their toilet is. I've also been told that the Oxi-action stain removing sprays work in a similar way.
Also distilled vinegar is a good stain remover & would help clean carpet/hard surfaces it may well take away the smell for humans not not sure about for cats noses. We use it for clearing up the odd spray off doors etc. & sick/hairball remains off carpets.
Reason for spraying - You mentioned a cat next door, could that get into your house or stop your going out & hence they feel threatened. You mentioned the litter is near the back door so if they feel threatened then they might not be keen on using it there.
Its interesting that they were scratching at the door mat before. Do they have scratching posts?
I hope you can resolve this as it's not pleasant - I know we've had a lot of problems with cat scent marking for a variety of reasons, mainly due to stress for various reasons. Mainly sorted now but on the odd occasion one of them forgets himself!
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Post by beanscrat on Jun 18, 2013 19:05:28 GMT
Thanks for your replies. Will try the smell remover suggestions, although it may be best to just get a new mat as i doubt we'll be able to get rid of it enough for them to not be able to smell it.
Yes they have 2 scratching posts and use them regularly. They just seem to enjoy scratching the mat too... and the carpet on the stairs... and the sofas!!!
Not sure about feeling threatened with litter by back door/cat flap... have seen them both use it for wee and poo without any issues, but as the mat weeing appears to be happening when we aren't there I guess they could possibly feel less secure when we aren't there... is that likely?!
If a cat was using an area outside our front door do you think this might provoke toileting on the mat? Can't say I've noticed anything out the front but have seen a few other cats around so there's possibly something out there.
Thanks!
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Post by tonib on Jun 19, 2013 21:12:41 GMT
Whether you clean the mat or replace it don't forget to clean the surface underneath whatever it is as the wee will have seeped through.
Its possible thee are factors that only occur when you're not there. For example are they still allowed out, if not that could be a protest or if they are then there maybe issues outside which are worrying them. I'm assuming that you're out for work & its possible that other cats come into the garden & peer through the cat flap during the day.
If the other cats seem to hang around the front door that could be reason.
Its possible that they are bored when you're not there as when you are they have your attention.
I hope you can get to the bottom of it & get it stopped. Maybe someone else has some better ideas.
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) because they are in a new area. Making it their own territory. They will hopefully settle. 
