Randy tom and and old girl with bad habits

[akbahsMum]

I have a bit of a savory problem on my hands. My sugar-cat, Akbah, is still happily in remission, with heartfelt thanks to FDMB for that.

But for the past 18 months or so he has become, shall we say, insatiable.
He is always mounting our girl cat, Hannah. A couple of times an hour, sometimes. He doesn't get any action on, just bites her on the back of the neck and hangs on, he doesn't seem to know about getting anything happening at the other end if you catch my drift. We chase him away and put lavender oil on her neck, but she hates that as much as he does. And he comes back anyway.

I think that might be why, last year, someone, probably Hannah, began peeing on the mat in the dining room. I assumed she was distressed. We were tearing our hair out about the situation, and then moved house, as we needed a bigger place with room for my dad. Everyone loved the new place, and everyone settled into better habits, and Akbah even left Hannah alone for quite awhile as he was instead busy checking out his new home. They have a garden to explore, which they both seem to love. And no more tray, which they had both got used to. We thought all our problems were over.

However Akbah is back on the hump,
Hannah (or someone) is weeing on the mat. (Maybe its Akbah?)
Mat is a lovely new woollen carpet.

What can we do?
I rub both their noses in it if we ever find a fresh one, which isn't often. Just, a few days later, you know its happened again because of the dry smell.
We got the mat professionally cleaned again this week, and today dad brewed a concoction we found on the web (eucalyptus oil and lemon zest) which might deter cats when sprayed on the mat. It smells nice so that's hopefully a thing.

Is there a way to cool Akbah's ardour? Or protect Hannah?
Any advice about cat wee would also be gratefully received.

 

[Larry and Kitties]

Assuming he is neutered I would discuss with your vet using Prozac (fluoxetine)

 

[Elizabeth and Bertie]

Hi Nat,

If these were my kitties I might be considering getting both of them checked over by the vet.
It may well be that Akbah has some kind of problem that can be treated (as Larry says); but I'm also wondering whether your girl is giving off a scent that is triggering Akbah to do this. Maybe there is a hormonal problem with one of the kitties..?

Regarding the 'peeing on the mat' problem, similarly, it would be good to rule out health problems.
(For example, perhaps one of the kitties has/had a UTI and found urination painful, and may be seeking out soft surfaces to pee on.)

Rubbing a kitty's nose in it's pee will not change the behaviour and can be counter-productive. The kitty won't understand why you're doing that and may become stressed. And if the problem is actually stress-related the peeing problem may actually get worse as a result of that.
Here's a couple of links to articles that may help:
http://www.catbehaviorassociates.co...en-trying-to-solve-a-cats-litter-box-problem/
http://www.catchannel.com/experts/marilyn-krieger/punishment-doesnt-alter-cat-behavior.aspx

Regarding the use of lavender oil on Hannah's neck: Are you using neat essential oil..? My understanding is that many essential oils can be toxic for cats, and those that aren't still need to be diluted before they are safe.
There's an informative article here, and the comments section below it may also be helpful:
http://essentialoilworld.com/essentialoilreviews/pet-health/essential-oil-safety-with-cats

Best wishes,

Eliz

 

[BJM]

It is far better to get a large crate and put a litter box, food, and water in it, plus the cat, than attempting to correct behavior by rubbing the cat's nose in the urinated area which DOESN'T WORK and makes your cat afraid of you. This will prevents the other cat from mounting her, too.

From other posts, I have assembled the following (ignore gender references):

For inappropriate elimination, always go to the vet and rule out any medical problems.

Here is a list I compiled previously. Some of the items may not apply.
***********************************************************************
You might try an integrated approach using multiple options from the list below on a consistent basis:

* start with crating, using a medium large crate (30" long is big enough for cat and a litter box) until progress. She probably won't go where she'd have to lie in it ... but if she does, something is wrong and it may be medical.

* tarps and newspapers may be easier on clean up if you don't crate her

* feeding on a schedule and then placing her in the litterbox (maybe in a crate) within 15-20 minutes after eating, until she goes, then praising and letting her out.

* Feliway/Comfort Zone - friendly facial pheromones which reduce stress and may reduce marking behavior. Cheapest prices are usually on the net (ex http://www.LambertVetSupply.com ) I've used it and it helps.

* Cat Attract litter - supposed to help attract cat to litter box

* rule out arthritis or constipation - pain causes box avoidance

* watch if the other cats ever attack her in the box and if so, you may need to keep her separated from them. I've got one the others attack, completely unprovoked.

* litter box should be 1.5 times length of cat, litter cleaned frequently, but avoid really strong smelling cleaners as cats may avoid them due to the scent.

* you've got to get residual odors out from areas which were 'nailed'. If you don't get those spots thoroughly cleaned, any residual odor may trigger using the spot again. Enzyme based products such as Nature's Miracle, are the most likely to have success. Carpet may need to be rolled back and treated on the back side, plus treating the pad separately (or replacing the pad). It can require repeated applications.

* regular play sessions of about 15 minutes to reduce stress and promote bond with you

* reward desirable behaviors - if you see her use the box, praise and treat her

* put unpleasant textures in places she has peed to encourage avoidance

* read some of this author's books: http://www.catbehaviorassociates.com/ she's pretty good - ex "Starting from Scratch"

 

[Maggies Mom Debby]

I have a friend who had a neutered male cat who would attack (and try to mount) not only female neutered cats, but her teenage babysitters! The vet theorized that he was still producing enough hormones to get him "interested" even though he couldn't really act on it. Prozac did the trick for him. I think they only gave it to him in the spring, but I don't remember for sure.

 

[akbahsMum]

There are some lovely and thoughtful suggestions here. I'm very poor at present and can't afford to take one cat to the vet let alone two*, so we're trying options which involve loving both cats a lot, watching for illnesses, and helping Hannah get in and out by opening doors and going out with her. Maybe she's forgotten about the outdoors thing, she was an indoor cat for seven years and she's 15. So she might have lost track of where the tray is. I'll keep you informed. Yet again this community is full of wisdom and timely help.

* I know if you can't afford to take your cat to the vet you can't afford a cat, but I've had this pair a long time and financial situations change. Fingers crossed that I can find non medical solutions as there are other things I could do with a few hundred bucks.

 

[JAAshwell]

I thought such behavior (post-neuter) was tied to dominance? Could there be some tension between the cats? I have a male that will attempt to mount and bite the neck of another male. I just squirt him with a bottle. This cat also used to hassle the other cat when it was in the litter box. Maybe Hannah has decided the trip isn't worth it?

Good luck.