Hi, this question isn't specifically directed towards Maine Coons, but I thought someone out there would have knowledge in this area. I don't know what to do and I'm very frustrated. I have a maine coon and a himalayan (both females)and just recently smelled strong cat urine in my entrance way to the house. I don't know who's doing it, why they are and where exactly it is. This has happened 3 times now, early week and then late week...Last night the smell was so strong I could barely stand it. Today, I left them in an enclosed room with food and litter and they are going to stay there during the days while we're at work... Any suggestions?? Also, the maine coon seems to be behaiving really horribly lately, tipping over plants, chewing on phone cords etc. Any comments or suggestions would be GREATLY appreciated. THANKS!

-- Anonymous, February 23, 2000

Answers

Jennifer, we have two Maine Coons, Scarlett and Rette. A few weeks ago our female Scarlett starting urinating in other places besides the litter box. As well as I could tell, it was not an infection or anything. I decided to change litter, and switched to Cat's Pride Clumping litter for multiple cat usage and she has not done anything bad since. In fact she is going alot more regularly and so is the male. It is very fine like the sand in an hour glass and they seem to really like the texture. If you aren't already using this kind, try it and see if it helps you as much as it did us. Good Luck, Joan

-- Anonymous, February 23, 2000

You don't say how long you've had both cats. This sounds to me like it could be marking behavior, but I'd take both cats to the Vet just to make sure that one of them doesn't have a urinary tract infection. As for the marking -- cats are very territorial, and if they think another cat is intruding on their territory, they will mark it with their urine -- even neutered and spayed cats will do this. I have three cats, and when I got the third, one of my other cats started urinating outside the box. I know how frustrating this can be. I had her tested for a physical problem, and when nothing showed up, my Vet and I concluded it was an anxiety problem. I removed the rugs she was urinating on and put her on Buspar to curb her anxiety. I then gave her a lot of attention. The worst thing you can do is yell at them because they'll just get more anxious. The Buspar really helped her, and now she's off it. But, still, every once in a while, she'll get anxious around one of the other cats, and urinate outside her box. Unfortunately, once this behavior starts, it's very difficult to stop permanently. You must make sure that any surface they urinate on is sprayed with an odor neutralizer, because they'll keep going back to the rug, or whatever, even if it's been washed. Don't give up. If the behavior hasn't been going on for a very long time, you can probably stop it. I'd recommend finding a Vet that specializes in animal behavior. I'd also recommend making sure you have at least one more little box than cats, and that the litter boxes are put in different places around the house. Good luck!

-- Anonymous, February 24, 2000

I have a 3 1/2 year old cat that I believe is a maine coon. A couple of years ago, he started urinating on the carpet which was very odd because he has always used his litter pan so well. His condition worsened to the point where he was screaming in the litter pan when he would try to urinate. The vet diagnosed this problem as Feline Urologic Syndrome and treated it with an antibiotic. The problem went away but then returned a few weeks later. This time the vet had me change his food to a prescription diet food and I have not had the problem again.

-- Anonymous, March 05, 2000

I'm not clear about the entrance way. Is this inside the house or just outside?

If it's outside, consider the possibility that it is a local male cat "visiting."

You don't say if the females are spayed or not: if not , consider the possibility that one might be in heat.

Maine coons are terribly fastidious: the culprit might be thier litter box if they are inside cats.

The best thing to do is take them to the vet and make sure there isn't a physiological problem, because that would be the most serious. If everyone checks out okay, then start working onthe litter box, etc.

Good Luck!

Cynthia Merkin

-- Anonymous, March 06, 2000

You mentioned that you aren't sure where the urine is. You will need a black light that you can carry around and possibly an extension cord. When the room is dark, turn on the black light and turn it toward any suspicious areas. You will be amazed at how the urine will glow extremely bright. You will be able to see exactly where the urine is. This enables you to target the area when cleaning, too.

-- Anonymous, February 19, 2001