I tend to avoid the trees with softer (like velour looking?) carpeting covering as they tend to get torn up more quickly. The regular carpeting/sisal trees generally hold up well. Beyond that seems like personal preference, as long as the tree is well reviewed in regards to sturdiness.
You might consider also looking into something like thefeliway plugins, which are basically phermones that have a calming effect on cats. It can take a couple weeks for them to start working but we have a multicat household and have found them to be effective.
Get a Felaway diffuser. A few years ago, I bought in two cats. Just the mere sight of them would make my original cat throw up. Literally. We put a couple of these throughout the house and just a day later, no more puking.
They sell them at PetSmart also. Might save you a vet visit.
Replying to this because my cat ABSOLUTELY hated my new kitten. I did everything mentioned above, and when I would put her in the kitten room she would sit in it and growl. She ended having to go to the vet from a fight they had UNDER the door. Of course, you just have to wait it out, and she eventually grew to tolerate him in about a month using the technique mentioned above. However, I see that she mentioned pheromones, and I swear they were a big part of getting my cats to like each other. I used the brand I’m linking, and I’ll also plug it in whenever I move to help them settle in better
FELIWAY MultiCat Calming Pheromone Diffuser, 30 Day Starter Kit (48 mL) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01AVHPFDS/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_WXB3Z94J1FYRNS7SWVXZ?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
I have 30+ years of experience rescuing, fostering, integrating cats into large colonies of varying temperaments. When you try and ref don’t get in the middle make your voice loud and stand up. Direct your voice directly at the older cat and make eye contact. Interfering physically just ends up with you occasionally catching a paw and the behavior continuing when you aren’t around. You are alpha you make it known that that interaction makes you unhappy. As for an immediate course of action the room separation method is usually what I would recommend as well but this is a bit more precarious. That kitten is in delicate enough health they wouldn’t respond well to isolation, and if you close your current cats into a singular room they will take it out on the kitten when the isolation is over. Also that method is really only useful if you start that way, now that the kitten has been about the house you can’t really reset that. For now you’re going to have to be a helicopter parent, which is admittedly the somewhat harder way. You need to watch over all their interactions and interject with your voice and body language in the build up stage. Usually it’s pretty easy to tell when they are about to get into it, they’ll get close by, focus on the kitten and you’ll pretty much be able to see the intention on their face. Right at that point call out their name, make solid eye contact and make it a very clear no with voice and body. My other recommendation is to get some feliaway dispensers, specifically the multicast formula it’ll help calm the population and ease the transition (link below). Depending on how big your space is I would get a few. Usually one for every two to three rooms.
Feel free to message me if you need any tips, to generally vent. Always happy to help out with rescues.
FELIWAY MultiCat Calming Pheromone Diffuser, 30 Day Starter Kit (48 mL) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01AVHPFDS/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_802M7BJ18M3YF3NTJVZK?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
You've had lots of good advice here! My 11 year old male Maine Coon has a chronic urinary issue, so here's what we've done:
Get your cat checked at the vet for a UTI and crystals (sounds like you have an appointment, so yay!).
If the vet can't find a current physical issue, try a feline diffuser like this. Your vet may even sell them in the office.
Try "Cat Attract" litter. Clean your cat's litter box daily, in case she is just bothered by unclean areas. Depending on how big your home is, think about adding a second litter box.
Worst case scenario, give your cat a designated spot to pee outside the litter box. Often, cats pee on soft surfaces because they are in pain, so think about finding a soft, small, washable blanket you can put in the cat's area. Try and eliminate other soft things from the area, which will further encourage your cat to use the designated spot. Not ideal, but better than having her pee in random spots.
Good luck!
First, a possible solution is feliway spray. personally I would recommend spraying down/placing it areas she frequents (her bed or tower or your bedroom) because my boy seems to get that when we've had take him somewhere new, that the sprayed areas are safe zones
Worst case scenario that helps her chill out enough to realize she at least doesn't need to be a stressed out ball of defense.
She could just be overwhelmed because of the move. The house likely smells of your brother and between that and all your/her stuff being there she's accepted that home now includes him and was dealing okay-ish (they are known for being good at hiding their discomfort) but the considerably more unfamiliar friend of your brother that's moving too could've just been the straw that broke the camel's back when it comes to all the new stuff. Cats can also take several months to become used to a new place, despite however well mannered they seem about most things. I overall wouldn't worry too much unless that spray/diffuser doesn't help at all and seems like it would become a trend.
Yes, well yelling at complete strangers to fix your problem is not really the way to get help on Reddit, but you are lucky I care more about the cat than your lack of manners. Here are a couple of things to try:
Feliway MultiCat Calming Diffuser Kit (30 Day Starter Kit), Vet Recommended, Reduce Fighting and Conflict Among Cats https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01AVHPFDS/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glc_fabc_qRO3FbTFTQ19
If that does not work, then try a product called “Licks”. They have triptophan from turkey, and my vet said she didn’t see any ingredients that were harmful. You just “squirt” rub the gravy- gel on your cats arm, they lick it off, and it chills them out . Start with half a packet, as this really works on my cat and he’s not just a holy terror but he’s 19 lbs.
Licks - Zen Cat Calming - Cat Anxiety Relief- Cat Calming- LiquiPaks - 30 Use https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00SLBMLR0/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glc_fabc_EXO3FbZK3YCN2
If that doesn’t work, talk to your vet about kitty prosac- sometimes when a new feral cat starts “living” and marking around our house, we use prosac for a “reset”. 2-3 weeks of a really low dose helps my cat “ get over” the fact that someone is invading his territory.
Good luck- I hope all of the kitties do ok. Let us know if anything helped.
Hey, I know this post was from a while ago, but I just found it and thought I could offer some two cents. First off, having experienced some of this myself, I learned to never leave anything they could or would want to piss on on the ground - like clothes, or towels, even rugs. It's become a habit now since I've definitely been burned by the same thing. Try not to leave anything out like that. Also, I got a baby lock to keep my cat from going in my closet, which I highly recommend if that's an issue for you too.
But it sounds like it comes down to stress. It sounds like Layla is still getting used to Olive, and vice versa. There's a Felliway multi-cat plug-in you can get (I would get a few to cover more ground). It helps bond them and calm them. Another thing that's helped my cats is Rescue Remedy for pets - it really helps with anxiety. I put some treats down and give them about four drops on the treats. Jackson Galaxy also makes good drops for any issue, and I've had good success with "Bully" for my new alpha cat that would bully my OG cat.
I also recommend having several litter boxes around, especially so Layla can have her own/own territory. If Olive is using her box, that might be why she's rebelling.
Also, you might already have this, but make sure to have a tall cat tree and/or high perches for Layla to jump on when she's feeling threatened or scared. Good luck, you will get through this!
I'm not in the area any more for mobile vet reccs, but I have a lot of cast. Maybe try some Feliway in the laundry room? If that's where he spends the most time? They also might be able to give you something OTC (CBD?) to calm him down, but xanax/prozac will probably require a blood test.
Also, maybe try leaving the carrier in the room with him with a towel. he might get used to the scent and hang out in there, making it easier for you to transport him if it comes to that. Thanks for not giving up on him!
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01AVHPFDS/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1 (this is the multi-cat one)
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Kitten lady on youtube is a good resource, she might have some videos on helping cats get adjusted.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01AVHPFDS/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_fabc_GPWF1ZPH7VJDXSJJ3Q49
I would give this a shot. It calms them and kind of neutralizes the area.
Not necessarily screwed- try these things:
Feliway room diffusers. Plug one of these into the room let it run for a couple hours before you put them in. Feliway MultiCat Calming Diffuser Kit (30 Day Starter Kit https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01AVHPFDS/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_70DFSE30WB4BRTA8SYCZ
There is a product called “licks” zen - which is a little packet of Turkey gravy and some calming ingredients, you rub the “gravy” on Thomas’ forearm and he licks it off. It really affects my aggressive cat whose (16) so you might try a half a packet at first. You can ask your vet if they think any of the ingredients look like a bad idea for your cat, mine said if was fine for one of my cats. Licks Pill Free LICKS-Cat Zen - Calming Aid and Stress Management- Tryptophan, L-Theanine, Eleuthero Root, and Ashwagandha Root - LiquiPaks - 10 Use https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00SLBMHWE/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_M4AMFN74ZHJFBN409B7G
If nothing else works, talk to your veterinarian who can prescribe kitty “Prozac”- for a short period. When we have a big event in our family- moving or a new foster, we put our aggressive territorial cat on a 2 week prozac program, sort of to “reset” his behavior. We don’t keep him on it longer because it really does turn him into a bit of a zombie, very sleepy all the time and not quite himself. Talk to your vet.
Good luck!
Like others have mentioned, give them a lot of attention and room to get used to the new place. Let the cat roam around the house freely, with no distractions or people that might scare them, and you just unpack stuff while the cat explore the place, set up some box forts, etc..
Have a couple feliway diffusers plugged in, in a couple of rooms, and give them all the space and attention they seek.
For the first few week be VERY vigilant about keeping all doors closed and know where each cat is... if they run out scared, you could lose them, and they could get hurt, easily.
Feliway room diffusers. Plug one of these into the rooms where she spends her time, and see if they will calm her. Feliway MultiCat Calming Diffuser Kit (30 Day Starter Kit https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01AVHPFDS/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_70DFSE30WB4BRTA8SYCZ
There is a product called “licks” zen - which is a little packet of Turkey gravy and some calming ingredients, you rub the “gravy” on her for arm and she licks it off. It really affects my aggressive cat, so you might try a half a packet at first. You can ask your vet if they think any of the ingredients look like a bad idea for your cat, mine said if was fine for one of my cats. Licks Pill Free LICKS-Cat Zen - Calming Aid and Stress Management- Tryptophan, L-Theanine, Eleuthero Root, and Ashwagandha Root - LiquiPaks - 10 Use https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00SLBMHWE/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_M4AMFN74ZHJFBN409B7G
Um... this may be 100% wrong and may sound weird, but she may have anxiety or other mental health issues. The reason I say this, is my cat DOES have anxiety and needs to be medicated. One of his symptoms was being frantically cuddly, to the point where if he wanted pets and I walked away he would attack my ancles. If he was sitting on my lap and i tried to stand up or gently push him off, he would freak out and attack my face until he was reasonably sure that i wouldn't try to get up again (or until my fiance could grab him and put him in a cat carrier to calm down) your cat may be experiencing something similar, but to a lesser extent. Before we were able to get his medicine (which is only $4/month at walgreens btw) the most effective product we found to help him chill out and feel more secure, was this thing: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01AVHPFDS/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_qYzuFbPCV05MS
I always thought it seemed kinda... scammy, or wouldn't work very well, but I was pleasantly surprised to be wrong.
Also, I've not watched the video but this guy on youtube tends to have useful advice: https://youtu.be/THhlirFJh6Y
Good luck!
Oof, this sucks I’m sorry!
Sounds like your cat is being very territorial, especially since he used the floor excessively after you got a kitten. And he stole the kittens litter box!
Getting a second litter box is a good idea tho, if you have room for it then I would do 3 /uncovered/ litter boxes and spread them throughout the house. Cats are less likely to use covered ones, it traps in and concentrates the nasty ammonia smell (which is awful for cats because they have better noses) and it makes them claustrophobic.
A few products I would recommend are Feliway, it’s a pheromone that makes the cat calm down and feel like they own the place. It specifically helps with going outside the litter box! It comes in a spray bottle or a diffuser that goes in the wall, like a glade air freshener. Link is at the bottom.
The other product is cat urine destroyer to deep clean and remove all of the smell of feces. After 4 months, I imaging that floor smells like a port a potty to your cat. If it smells like poop then he thinks he should poop there. The link is for my fav brand, but most of them work fine as long as they are enzymatic smell destroyers. If you are going to treat tile then that link is good, but there is a better product for carpet.
On mobile, and I’ve never made a link before, I hope this works!
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01AVHPFDS/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_zAULDbV9FTJDR
This is what I am talking about.