Gypsy
Super_Ideal_Rock
- Joined
- Aug 8, 2005
- Messages
- 40,225
cmd2014|1407539963|3728853 said:OP:
I've had cats all of my life...peeing on the floor is NOT normal. I've only ever had one cat pee inappropriately, and he was 15, stressed from a move, and in the first day in the new house and forgot where the box was and just couldn't quite get there fast enough. Protest poops next to a less than ideal litter, sure, but not peeing. Please take the cat to the vet. Don't assume it is stress. Most of the time that is not the problem. And please stop punishing it for being unwell or unhappy.
I also want you to know that I have hardwood floors and the cat is not an issue, and DH and I are both professionals who work long hours. Neither are my (uncovered) leather sofa/love seat. I do keep a table pad and cloth on the dining room table though just in case (but that goes for DH and me too with our plates). Most cats are not destructive if they are well cared for (attended to, played with, fed good quality food, have clean litter, and are medically examined if behaviour suddenly changes). Worst case scenario, hardwood floors can be sanded and refinished....but truthfully, most liquids wipe right up, and they are way easier than carpet to clean barf off of (the bigger risk with pets). For the carpet you may have in the house, a Bissel machine (even the small hand held ones) are your best friend. I have yet to come across a stain that mine did not get up. Pine sol, hot water, and a mop works well for wood. Please don't let family (who clearly hate cats) freak you out. The only pieces of real estate I have seen ruined were either from kids (toys on hardwood, bikes on hardwood, push toys on hardwood, crayon on walls, and diaper less child rearing pee stains), dogs (chewing, peeing, and funky wet dog smell), or hoarders (where the cat pee is the least of the issues). Normal, responsible cat owners do not have these problems. I have sold each of my homes for way over asking, WITH cats. And mine have free run of the house.
It sounds to me like these are your DH's cats and that you are not, and may never have been, a fan. You may have to respect his love for them, even if you don't share it. These are living creatures who depend on you for everything, and deserve care. Think how you might feel if your family stopped wanting you if you got old, or sick, or stopped being able to function in the way that they wanted you to. Plus, if you decide to have children,the damage they will do to a home makes ANYTHING a cat can do pale in comparison.
So, first step is to the vet. Next step is to see what the cat needs (if it is not sick) that it is not getting now. Then you might want to see how it reacts in the new house. What you see now may not be how it is in a new environment.