The pee must stop.

by Beth
(Pennsylvania)

I have 16 special needs cats and they equally entertain and drive me nuts. A couple have some issues I have not been able to resolve. I'll give you the list and their problems:
1. Charlie: 13 years old, figurehead of group. Has a genetic kidney disease. Gets blood pressure medication daily and subcutaneous fluids every 3.
2. Idgie: 8 yrs. Used to be very happy. She complains constantly. The other cats pick on her because she throws such a fit. She pees all the time on the floor and makes noises that sound like she's being murdered, even when another cat is just looking at her. She has problems with impacted anal glands that need emptied often. We tried anti-depressants through a transdermal gel, but it was more trouble than help.
3. Dexter: 7 yrs. Manx. Was head of the clan before Teeny came. Now is withdrawn and scared. Hides if Teeny is in the house. When Teeny's outside, he is a happy cat.
4. Ethan: 7 yrs. Kidney problems, needs allergy shots every 3-6 months, very shy, serious infection as a kitten took most of his voice. Very needy.
5. Teeny: 3 yrs. Asthma. Found as a stray with pneumonia. He is just terrible to any cat. Chases, fights, pees. He's a sweetheart to people, but does try to outrun them and trip them on purpose. He now lives on my enclosed porch and in the fenced-in yard during the summer because he is so aggressive. 18 pounds of bad cat.
6. Luci: 3 yrs. Partially feral. I screwed up with this one because I thought she'd tame faster with her sister as a kitten and I didn't know that made it worse. If there is food or I am reading, she will come to me and let me pet her. Any other time, she runs and hides.
7. Maggie: 3 yrs, Luci's sister. Severely feral. You can barely get close to her. Always has a look of fear but it too tamed to let go again. Bit me severely as a kitten and I lost feeling in my hand for 3 months. Has not bitten since but I wouldn't put it past her. She will sleep on the bed until I wake up and make eye contact and then she runs.
8. Jack: 2 yrs. Was feral, now just shy. Only gets petted on his terms
9. Sophia: 5 yrs. Had a major upper respiratory illness that almost killed her as a kitten. Stray, showed up at my door. Has impacted anal glands that need constant emptying. Chases and growls at Idgie all day. Idgie was mean to her as a kitten and she's now returning the favor. She pees regularly on the kitchen and bathroom floor.
10. Kenny: 1 yr. Found in the road. Herpes. Sweet boy.
11. Lily: 1 yr. Sweet but only likes petted. No picking up.
12. Harry: 8 months. Was feral, mostly tamed. Very sweet and shy.
13. Stan: 8 months, Harry's littermate. Was feral, tamed well, just shy.
14. Admiral: 1 yr, Lily's littermate. Here is the problem kitty. He has had so many problems. He has herpes pretty severely and routinely gets tongue sores and rodent ulcers. Was hypoglycemic as a kitten and actually died twice. I got him back and rushed him to the vet. He actually has no immune system that they have been able to find. FIV negative, FeLV negative. When he got the distemper shot, he actually got distemper. We nursed him back to health for months after he dropped to 2 pounds. He is not yet neutered because they vet says it's not safe for a few more months now. He has brain damage from lack of oxygen when he died as a kitten. He's very sweet but so needy. Teeny chases and fights him, even though Admiral is only 9 pounds. He has started peeing on things and driving us nuts. Pees in clean laundry especially.

15. Carter: 1 yr. Found with severe lice and tick infestation. Missing hair permanantly in some spots from the lice. Huge cat, already 14 lbs.
16. Mia: Very sweet, not too bright. Started nipping to get attention.

I have 11 litter boxes scattered through 4 rooms. Some will poop on the floor in front of the box, regardless of how clean it is. Many of the cats pee on the floor in the kitchen and bathrooms. I have to clean it every day and it's really starting to make me mad.
They all have to eat C/D because Charlie and Ethan cannot have animal protein because of kidney issues. The kittens eat separate food still, in a different place.
I don't know what I'm going to do with Teeny when it gets colder. He can't be out because of his asthma, but the cats are not happy when he's in. He just beats them up. He is a tremendous bully. Spray bottles only work for a little. Within 3 minutes, he comes back and 'apologizes' by rubbing all over us. It looks like he knows he's being bad and can't help it. Once he is fixated on another cat, we can't break his attention at all. He has a one-track mind.
We are hoping things get better when Admiral is neutered in a few months. He will have to be on antibiotics and it's risky because of his immune problem, but it has to get done.
Anything you can shed light on would be great.
Most of these cats were rejected and that's why we have them. We have spayed/neutered and adopted out 54 cats in the last few years. It's been expensive, but it's the right thing to do.
It sounds like we have a constant madhouse, but it really isn't. There are just some problems I'd really like to resolve.
Thanks!

RESPONSE:

First of all, I'd like to commend you for taking on the care of so many challenging cats in need. I know it's not easy!
I wish I could give you some easy fix its but there just aren't any. And there is just too much info to post here. We will be posting our section on dealing with the pee issues this week so hopefully there will be some suggestions that will help you.
In the meantime, it is important for you to understand that with so many cats with special needs, pee problems will be ongoing as will the fussing and confrontation between them. Your cats live in a vulnerable state so it make them more anxious. They spray or go outside the litter box because of health issues, fear of the other cats, and to comfort themselves with the scent of their own urine. Stopping this behavior will be very difficult.
Fussing with each other is a case of "get them before they get you" and "make a lot of noise so they will leave you alone" type of behavior. Controling this will also be difficult. Making sure you have plenty of high up and hiding places will help. So will frequent interactive playtime.
Also, they should be fed in different rooms so they can have a chance to eat in peace.
I would suggest using Bach Flowers or Spirit Essences routinely to help calm everyone and especially for the more high anxiety cats. (check the links on the left) There are also good, all natural/homeopathic medicines that you can use to boost the immune system for Admiral. Go to Cat Supply and More and once there, scroll down for a link to Natural Cat Health Remedies. Cats often respond better to natural remedies than they do with modern medicine.
I hope some of this will help and keep a look out for our Cat Pee! Posting for more info.

Donna
House Full Cats Mom