Old cranky cat..long

sidey1

First, please don't judge, I'm a dedicated animal owner which would explain why I've had a cat for over 12 years that urinates on stuff anytime he gets peeved about any little thing..We have 3 cats, this one was our first and oldest at almost 17 yrs old. What we didn't know when we got him was that he would dislike and be afraid of children so much! He's always been the 'problem' child even before we had our other kitties, urinating outside the box, on the bed, on DH's clothes whenever he's mad, eating so fast he vomits immediately after. We've taken him to the vet numerous times, spent alot of money and have always been told it's behavioral. We've tried to use the vet's suggestions but they never work for long. 

So he wasn't happy when DS showed up at all, he doesn't really interact with him, but if DS does get close enough he'll hiss at him. I don't think he even tries to pee in the litterbox anymore, DH has to clean up cat urine several times a week. DS has been sick all weekend, we are all running on very little.  sleep, and 'problem' kitty starting crying at 4am, wanted to be lifted up into the window, then 5 minutes later wanted to get down, then 5 minutes later wanted to go back up.. I just about lost it...I'm pretty sure he's a bit senile, so DD is just about here, and I don't even want to think about what life will be like with this cat. All of his issues will be magnified x 10 and I'm not sure DH and I can handle it anymore.

So tough question is, I don't believe rehoming is an option, he has so many behavioral issues, I can't imagine anyone is going to want an old cat with urinating issues..DH is at the point where he's ready to send the cat to the big cat heaven in the sky, and DH is a huge animal lover. I feel super guilty about that, I've always felt that once you get a pet it's your responsibility for better or worse until it's life comes to a natural end. However, I fully believe this cat could live another 5 years, if not longer. I'm really torn about our quality of life versus my responsibility as a pet owner, thoughts?

PlainJane8350

I assume you've had the vet check him for a bladder infection?

sidey1

Yup, multiple times over the years. He's always totally healthy.  He stands in the litterbox with his butt hanging over the edge and that's how it happens most of the time. We've tried different litterboxes, multiple boxes, different litter, different locations for the boxes ect, nothing has worked. If someone comes to stay with us, he pees on our bed or on DH's clothes. I'm fully anticipating it happening when my mom comes to stay when DD gets here. The only other thing I can think of is giving him some type of natural mood relaxer, but I don't think that will solve the litterbox issue..

PlainJane8350

First of all, everyone tells me that my cat is mean so I can relate. I used to use one of those mood sprays in the car because my cat gets car sick. He may just want to be in a one cat, and possibly person, household. My cat will spray somewhere where another cat his sprayed and one of my friends has a cat who will go to the bathroom on visitor's clothes. Poor little guy, situations like that are tough on everybody.

sidey1

It is tough. We found out from his former owner, months after we took him in, that he had a peeing issue there as well and he was an only cat living with one person, so I'm not sure the issue will ever go away. I can't re-home him without disclosing the issue, so I think going that route is pretty much out of the question. I do feel for him once DD comes along, he's not going to be happy one bit about it

PlainJane8350

Everyone asks me how my cat's going to take it, too. You can try one of those calming sprays or one of my friend's cats was on Prozac!

alanna3622

For the litter box. .. put the litter box into a large but empty litter box. That's what we did for an identical situation, worked like a charm abd also contained the overspray from kicked-up litter. No advice for the spraying and other behaviors though, sorry.

thinkpink101

How do you clean the urine when he pees? If there are any remnants, even if you can't smell it, he will and he might pee there again. I swear by AIP by Mister Max, it's far superior to Nature's Miracle and the like. Also get a black light, it will show you urine spots that you may not know about. We adopted a cat that had peeling issues and these things helped us. We also got a Feliway diffuser, and put a couple of drops of rescue remedy in the waterbowl.

hopes4baby

Transdermal Paxil that goes on the inside of the ear daily helped my problem cat a lot. Have you guys tried something like that?

sidey1

No, I've never even heard of that as an option. Our vet has always suggested different litterboxes ext, but never really anything to address his anxiety, I may look into that further!