hello fellow cat lovers

Submitted by 412beekeeper t3_118bit7 in pittsburgh

Hello fellow cat lovers. This past winter we took in a stray cat that has been living on our back porch for many many years. We are now looking for a foster home for her. She needs someone who can give her 100% of their and time.

We have a large dog and a cat already so we can't spend much time with her and she is mostly up in the attic alone. We keep all the doors open so she can walk freely through the house if she wants.

Our biggest problem is she pees everywhere. We have multiple boxes and most of the time she uses them but not always. We have gained enough trust to brush her and she loves belly rubs, but we don't want to punish her because that could ruin all the trust we have built.

Anyone know a foster who can take her for a while and help potty trian her?

Edit: more information. She is estimated to be around 10 years old, was fixed after having kittens. She is a long haired calico and get horrible matting the rips her flesh ever spring when her winter coat comes off.

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firesidepoet t1_j9g6e4m wrote

You should see a vet first. Cats don't need potty training. The fact that she's not going in the box is indicative of something else, possibly a medical issue.

Are you sure it's a girl? Is she spayed?

Are you looking for someone to adopt her permanently or?

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SayTheLineBart t1_j9g757s wrote

This. If she isn’t spayed that is the most obvious reason this is happening. Second would be a urinary issue, but that is typically more common in male cats.

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412beekeeper OP t1_j9g7p5l wrote

Yes she is definitely a she, a neighbor trapped her and had her fixed after having a litter.

We absolutely love her and would hope to have her back but what ever is in her best interest.

It doesn't seem to be marking because she doesnt do it by a door or near were my other cat is. The cats also know each other already and were friendly with each other on the porch.

We took her into the vet acouple of years ago and all of her lab work was good.

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firesidepoet t1_j9gb4el wrote

That was a couple years ago. Lab work very well could have changed by now. Most vets recommend yearly lab work, and they may suggest a urine test.

Moving her to a different home is just going to stress her out even more. Same with moving her back again.

I think your best option here would be taking her to the vet for a complete workup, which she should be getting along with yearly vaccines. If you want, I can give you some litter box husbandry tips to make sure you're giving her all the right options to use the litter box.

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412beekeeper OP t1_j9ggvj0 wrote

She now has an appointment tomorrow. Yes I would love tips about litter box. I have had cats my whole life so I know a bit. Currently she has 2 times of boxed, two open and one hooded, and use scentless litter.

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firesidepoet t1_j9gkc78 wrote

https://www.jacksongalaxy.com/blog/litter-box-avoidance-101/

https://fearfreepets.com/litter-box-basics/

Here are two good sources for litter box husbandry. A lot of it can take trial and error. Trying different locations, different boxes, different litter until you find what works best.

Make sure you are scooping once or twice a day and regularly changing out the litter and scrubbing the box when it gets smelly.

Littee boxes should not be placed anywhere near their food or water bowls.

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AmyTea t1_j9glgta wrote

You also need to make sure you remove the pee smell from all her favorite spots entirely with an enzyme cleaner. Like soak them hard. Then ideally physically block them off with a plastic mat.

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Legitimate-Ice3476 t1_j9hkuem wrote

EverClean Extra Strength Unscented is what our vet recommended when our adopted, more senior cat was doing the same thing.

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Courageous_Chameleon t1_j9gkg7k wrote

It is likely a urinary tract infection. Common ailment and can be treated quickly and inexpensively with antibiotics. It's painful and can eventually damage their kidneys, so you really need to get her to a vet.

Big Easy and Rivers Vet Urgent Care both do walk ins. You just have to get there early because it's first come, first serve. If you don't intend to keep her or care for her, surrender her at a shelter asap so she can see a vet because she is almost certainly sick and in pain.

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GargantuanWitch t1_j9g982n wrote

>but what ever is in her best interest.

If the cat is hiding in the attic, this is your first indication that the cat is feral and doesn't want to be in the house. Given they're already 10 years old, and have been living outdoors (presumably) all this time, it's likely terrified. Let it out already. You're not doing it a favor by keeping it indoors.

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412beekeeper OP t1_j9ga99u wrote

She doesn't hide in the attic that is just her safe place and were she sleeps. she also hangs out on the second floor were we feed her away from the other cat. And she has ventured down to the living room to hangout for a couple of hours.

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CARLEtheCamry t1_j9ghcrp wrote

Do you keep a litter box in the attic?

We had an issue with my cat, when my wife moved in and brought her 3 cats, and spraying. It was a territory thing, a literal pissing contest, my cat was not pleased. Solution ended up being more litter boxes in more locations (we used to just have one, in the basement that my cat used. We got more and put them on the 1st and second floor).

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aboutsider t1_j9jmbyi wrote

I haven't found that this is necessarily true. I adopted a kitty that had been living with a feral colony. The first few weeks we never even saw her but when she realized it was safe, she would come out. She still hid out at night for months. Almost six years on and she's a total lap cat! She sleeps with us, she follows me around the house like a little shadow, she even sleeps with and plays with her cat roommate. Every once in a while, she'll still hide out somewhere for several hours. And, when I find her, she doesn't display any fear. She doesn't avoid my touch, growl, or hiss. She purrs and leans into my pets. It seems like she's just found a quiet, private place for a snooze. I think some kitties who've had a hard life outside just get used to sleeping somewhere private and safe. Jumping to the conclusion that she should be tossed back outside seems rash.

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WayNo639 t1_j9g6rbc wrote

Is she spayed? That often reduces instances of spraying.

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hav0k0829 t1_j9g5vna wrote

Its marking. She will always do it. Letting my cat out made him stop doing that in the house but that might not work for you

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GargantuanWitch t1_j9g801l wrote

Your stray cat isn't a stray. It's feral and is used to humans. You are very unlikely to ever successfully take a cat that has been living outdoors for years and turn it into an animal that will be happy indoors.

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412beekeeper OP t1_j9g91tl wrote

I don't know many feral cats that like belly rubs. I'm not willing to give up on her that easy.

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GargantuanWitch t1_j9gaab2 wrote

Hey, it's your attic and your time, do what you want. I'm just making an attempt to save you the small fortune in urine removal products you'll end up buying before you realize that your friend is a wild animal that desperately wants to be outside.

When you can convince a feral cat to stop peeing in your house after it's been doing it already, make sure you write it down. You'll be a billionaire.

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aboutsider t1_j9jmwps wrote

You don't know that the cat is feral. Stop making assumptions.

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