Serious cat dilemma

VioletSky

Are they inside cats?

With inside cats I would get more litter trays and that would usually resolve the problem as they will not want to share

I'm assuming the male is neutered?

If he just wants to mark his territory, that's normal cat behaviour with an intruder cat

Otherwise it could be anxiety in which case, something to ease anxiety like feliway would help

Also, lots of rewards for being close to new cat. Associate new cat with positive additions to the "colony"

Sensible advice. I had two cats, one indoor ( Burmese) and one allowed outdoor ( British Short Hair: far more road sense!). The latter used to pee everywhere. They both shared a litter tray and were fed in the same area. In retrospect I should have separated their eating areas and litter trays. And would have tried using a feliway plug in, although once the habit had become ingrained it probably wouldn’t have helped. They also had an outdoor pen that they both had access to, and that had a litter tray in it. When all of my cats had access to outdoors and no litter trays I never had a problem but I lost so many on the road I had to have a re think.

Your own two adopted cats are reassuring examples of successful rehoming, and your DD’s younger cat will probably adapt quite happily to a new home.

I imagine that by urinating in the house, if not a health problem, the older cat is sending a message to the younger cat to go away - you’re not welcome here, which must be quite stressful for the younger cat.

Perhaps the urination will stop once that message is no longer necessary and cat no.1 resumes his original position in the household?

I'd say let the chap stay where he is if your daughter really loves him. After all, he was there first?

Why don't you take in the new cat, if she's easy going she might get on OK with the Maine Coones?

If not, she would be snapped up as a rescue cat.
Please contact the British Ragdoll Rescue Club, I'm sure they could offer you the best advice.

I think it would be a good idea to reintroduce litter trays. One per cat plus one per floor, well spaced and away from food and water (so two cats in a two storey house need four trays). A pain, but giving all the felines their own facilities might help to sort things out. It might be that the older one is distressed by something happening outside, unrelated to the kitten, which is why he's peeing indoors now. Generally speaking Ragdolls are supposed to be kept indoors because they're not assertive enough to interact safely with other cats.

As DrWatson said…..would be well worth looking on YouTube for My cat from hell videos by Jackson Galaxy, a cat behaviourist. It sounds like one of the issues he often deals with. After having cats health checked by a vet he sometimes suggests catification (which is putting up shelves and a high up walk way so cats can escape and feel safe) , playing with cats to tire them out, and using large cat litter trays.
Check if there are any cat behaviourists available in your area. Rehoming will be a last resort but if that’s necessary then try look at it in a positive way. The cats will be happy and safe, and the family stress levels will improve. Good luck

Unfortunate situation. It would be unfair and more distressing to rehome the first cat who adores DD. Why should that cat be effectively punished and emotionally affected by what has happened. The cat that should be rehomed is the second one who is younger and has no problems. The first cat will stop marking territory especially if getting rewards and fuss and attention after cat 2 has gone. I think if the first cat is rehomed, that cat will have more behaviour issues as a result and may well end up having an unhappy life as a result unless lucky enough to have a very patient and understanding new owner with the time. It sounds like DD loves cat 2 much more and prefers the easy option.

🙀😿

My DD had a useless vet 2/3 years ago- i advised she changed vet- she did and discovered what was wrong with 2 of her pets (not this type of problem) but the point is- a vet who 'has'nt been much help' is no good to any pet, nor owner! I find feliway just a waste of money, certainly on older cat, and yes as others have suggested the older cat needs a thorough check up with a different vet- this could be kidney trouble or bladder problem, after all he is well getting on in cat years so this could have been brewing & getting worse over time but could be a medical problem he cant help, bless him, and he's wondering why the 1 person he adores is not helping him?! I would NOT assume that after 2 years he is still not getting along with the other cat that is the problem! I have always known cats in our house, from when i was a child my mum always had a cat, my kids grew up knowing cats in our house.The only times weve ever had another cat with our beloved now 16 year old cat he never did this, he treated them like his baby, washing them etc.I ask the question- WHY did DD get the 2nd cat in the first place? Particularly if the cat1 is territorial? Did she think it would make him less so? In which case i would have thought it was apparent pretty quickly that things were NOT changing and could have rehomed the 2nd one much earlier?Or was new cat 2 the idea of her husband or sons? I wouĺd not have entertained that suggestion of a 'new cat'if i was her until the old boy had at least passed on naturally years later. Anyway either you could take on cat 2 for her, or rehome it somewhere you/she could trust, but definitely see a new vet to see if this is a physical/medical problem cat 1 has first.Poor boy maybe he cant help it.Imagine what it would be like if you were really old, and had this problem and no one who was caring for you was helping you at all? But were talking of 'helping you along your way'? Or rehoming you? Our lovely is 16 now but 82 in cat years- luckily he is much healthier than i am at just 60, but i cant imagine ever getting rid of him in any way, and first thing i'd do is change vet and get to the root of his problem! Not just assume its because he still doesnt like the other cat after 2 years!

Another to do is encourage children to keep their bedroom doors shut this cut down on the amount of cat wee in those rooms. Outside cats will probably be able to be retrained to trays and separate trays. I feel sorry for your DD and cat 1, 8 is quite old to rehome and if he’s so attached to just your DD he may never be happy again 😢😢

I once had a cat that started to pee everywhere. The vet diagnosed kidney failure and unfortunately he had to be put down.

Putting the cat to sleep shouldn’t be an option really but perhaps homing cat no 2, contact the ragdoll rescue and they will probably be able to help.
Like someone else has said try a Feliway plug in it might calm cat no 1 down a bit .
He’s obviously marking his territory and wanting to place himself as top cat .
Good luck

A side issue. Serious cat - dilemma OR serious - cat dilemma.

Got me thinking. One of my gran's favourite remarks was It's enough to make a cat laugh. Does anyone think they are sometimes not serious?

Seriously, one of OP's cats will have to go. Last in first out.

In my somewhat considerable experience, once a cat develops the habit of peeing indoors, whatever the cause,you will never,ever, break the habit! Getting rid of the second cat will not change a thing now, and rehoming the first cat will just pass the problem on to his new owner, especially with him having to cope with losing his “mum” and settling in new territory. Sorry to sound so negative but any honest vet or animal behaviourist will tell you, the first person to find a solution to this habit would become a billionaire overnight!!!

I'm with Elegran on this - hope you manage to resolve the issue soon. It doesn't seem to matter how often you say it, or what explanation you give, some posters just seem happy to jump on the criticism bandwagon. Nils illegitimi and all that - bosies from a fellow cat lover. !

No !! Not euthanise definitely ! Possibly re-home but even that seems cruel as Cat 1 was there first - try the various cat sites and sprays etc Is cat 1 male or female and neutered ??

I think it would be a good idea to have a litter tray in the house and try to get the cat used to using it.
I have always had one close to the kitchen doors even though my cats went outside they were always kept in at night

Definitely Re home the second cat … he will settle anywhere by the sounds of it .. it’s unkind to use euthanasia or rehome the poor mite.

Neuter both animals. Put a cat nappy on the first cat if he’s in the house. Nappies for small dogs and cats can be bought on Amazon. If that doesn’t work then rehome the most recent cat

You are welcome. I don't like it when people in a painful dilemma get extra kicks from the unco' guid.

Oh Aveline what a beauty he is, as are your two. I remember from some of your previous posts how you rescued yours.
Sorry your daughter is struggling with what to do for the best.
I'm sure you all want is best for him.
I wish I could give some suggestions but lm not sure what is best to do. Years ago one of our rescue cats suddenly started peeing everywhere, that was due to kidney problems. However if the vet has ruled out any physical problems unsure what to suggest.
How difficult it must be when you love him so much, good luck.

Thank you Elegran. I'm glad you understand.

LRavenscroft

Aveline

Here's the cuprit

Where I live he would be re=homed in a heart beat by our very competent animal shelter where homes and owners are thoroughly checked and vetted before being allowed to move in. Disgusting to suggest 'euthanasia'. I am truly shocked. Go to your nearest Cat Protection and get the poor fellow rehomed and loved.

Oh for crying out loud! Come doon aff your cuddy down off your high horse of righteous outrage. No-one has suggested euthanasia . Some posters have said the truth - that banishment and then rehoming could seem a worse fate to a not-so-young cat who has spent many years in one home and then had to share it with a confident interloper than quietly going to sleep in peace.

The OP brushed on the distant possibility that if nothing else worked her daughter might have to consider. "Re-home? Euthanise? Both seem too radical . . ." That reads to me like strong distaste for either course, but recognition of the situation.

LRavenscroft

Aveline

Here's the cuprit

Where I live he would be re=homed in a heart beat by our very competent animal shelter where homes and owners are thoroughly checked and vetted before being allowed to move in. Disgusting to suggest 'euthanasia'. I am truly shocked. Go to your nearest Cat Protection and get the poor fellow rehomed and loved.

It's not that simple. In most areas the cat rescue agencies are full to bursting with cats in ever increasing numbers that have been living either on the streets, un-neutered or injured / sick or removed from poor home conditions. A cat that has become inconvenient won't be seen as a priority I'm afraid.

Aveline

Here's the cuprit

Where I live he would be re=homed in a heart beat by our very competent animal shelter where homes and owners are thoroughly checked and vetted before being allowed to move in. Disgusting to suggest 'euthanasia'. I am truly shocked. Go to your nearest Cat Protection and get the poor fellow rehomed and loved.

If you don't know anyone who could foster one of the cats for a few weeks to monitor behaviour- then ask your local cat rescue if they have a list of suitable foster people.

When we adopted our last 2 cats in UK from local rescue, we had to go and visit them at the foster family, and pick them up from there when adoption was approved.