Euthanising my cat because she pees on my sofa

D
Dours24 Icon representing the flag French
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Hi everyone,

I know that title will shock quite a few of you, but I’ve reached my breaking point. We’ve lived with a Birman for nearly 14 years now, and she has seen off no fewer than 4 sofas and 4 armchairs, all of which ended up at the tip. She pees on them regularly, and eventually, we just have to bin them. We don't scold her, as we know it’s pointless; we keep her litter tray clean and we’ve even changed the type of litter when we suspected that might be the issue. But when you live in a 650-square-foot flat in the city with three people, and your only living space — which has also been the workspace since COVID — is constantly soiled by the cat, yes, you do feel like doing away with her. Because now, I refuse to buy another sofa until she’s gone, so I don’t even watch the telly anymore since it’s right opposite where the sofa used to be. And when we want a bit of quality time, well... we end up in bed, and then the cat comes to snuggle up to us and sometimes even has accidents on the bed... it’s so stressful.

She’s been diagnosed with kidney failure, so we’re giving her special dry food and a laxative paste. That’s the situation. I should also mention that’s where we eat, and as the head of the household, I’m really questioning what this furball is putting us through. I know we’ll never actually bring ourselves to have her put down, but I have this unbearable feeling of being trapped for who knows how many more years. I’ve had enough, and I’m at a complete loss. Thanks for listening, and hopefully for any help you can offer.

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    • T
    Trifouillette Icon representing the flag French
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    I don't think you really want to have your cat put to sleep, otherwise you would have done it a long time ago and you wouldn't have come to this forum for help. On top of everything that’s already been suggested—keeping the bedroom door shut, his medication, the litter trays, sofa covers, and so on—has he always done this, or has it only started since he’s been poorly?
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    Landoras
    Landoras Icon representing the flag French
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    Oh yes, thanks so much for your help! My only previous experiences with having two cats were total disasters, so I was getting (a bit) worried! Thanks! And yes, they are gorgeous, my little rascals! Just like Odessa, Rangoon has a solid-coloured coat, except for ONE single white hair on his tail! 😁 Odessa has a tiny tuft of literally four white hairs on her side. I’d only need to pluck them out to pass them off as pedigrees. 😁 They share the bed with us (I know, I know...), but they often decide we’re taking up too much room, so they move onto the furniture nearby to sleep! Honestly, the cheek of it. Really showing them who's boss, aren't we...! Love, see you soon!
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    L
    Lyzzza Icon representing the flag French
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    Hi Landoras 🙂

    It’s such a joy to see them getting on so well! I’m glad I could help reassure you back when you were so worried and overanalysing every little look and move they made. 🤪

    They look adorable stretched out on the bed, not a care in the world. They’ve definitely managed to turn the tables and make themselves the masters of the house. Do you actually get to sleep in the bed, or are you on the floor next to it? 😁😁

    Rangoon is gorgeous; I love black cats, they’re second only to gingers on my list. lol

    If he hasn’t got a single white patch, he’s a descendant of a Middle Ages survivor... solid black cats without a single white hair are really rare.

    He’s 7 months old now, is he neutered? He should calm down as he gets older, but you might have a hard time stopping his tendency to pinch things!

    Mind you, we forgive them everything when we love them—even Dours, who puts up with the accidents on the sofa...

    Hope to see you around here again soon, and have a lovely day.

    Liza

    Translated from French
    Landoras
    Landoras Icon representing the flag French
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    Hi, I use this, attached to the sofa with bungee cords. https://www.zooplus.co.uk/shop/dogs/dog_grooming/towels_dog_boots/44705 It’s very effective; my old ginger boy loves sleeping on it, itaks up any puddles of pee well and it’s really easy to change. Best regards
    Hi Landoras, I’ve had a look at your link, it looks great, I’ll keep it in mind for the future in case I ever need it. How are your cats doing? Have a lovely day, Liza

    Evening Liza! What a treat to see you again!!

    My two little terrors are doing wonderfully! They’re really close now and share all their favourite spots... In fact, they always sleep in the same room at least, if not in the exact same place! (on the bed, on the armchairs, on the cat tree...) Their wariness of each other has faded massively over the weeks. My big girl Odessa spends ages grooming the little one and he just lets her, it’s so cute! They follow each other everywhere and play together a lot, even if Rangoon is still a bit too rough sometimes. He’s learning a lot from her and copies everything she does. 😁

    Despite his cuddly and sweet-natured side, Rangoon is a proper little thief; he's nearly 7 months old and gets into sooooo much mischief, he’s really testing our patience... even Odessa gets annoyed sometimes! 😒 but he’s just too cute and very clever!

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    L
    Lyzzza Icon representing the flag French
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    I’m at my wits' end, I don't know what to do anymore. Thank you for listening and potentially for your help.

    Hi there,

    I wasn't quite sure if she’s been obsessed with your sofa since she was a kitten or if it’s only started since she’s been unwell. Could you clarify that? I can't imagine you'd just let her pee on the sofa without trying various ways to protect it first.

    When was she diagnosed with CKD? Just so you're aware, this condition does lead to a cat passing away fairly quickly, even with treatment. Could you let us know the results of her last blood test? Specifically the creatinine and urea levels.

    What I mean is, at 14 years old, she might live for another year or two, perhaps less – it all depends on if it was a late diagnosis and what her current health is like. If it’s any consolation, your ordeal isn't going to last another fourteen years, that’s for sure.

    It’s definitely worth trying to reclaim your living space by deciding to protect the sofa rather than just taking it to the tip and buying a replacement...

    What do you think of the suggestions mentioned above?

    Also, I’m wondering why she's on a laxative; does she have tummy issues as well?

    You’ve come here to share your problem, so you're obviously keen to find some solutions. Hang in there, and keep us posted on how you're getting on.

    Liza

    Translated from French
    L
    Lyzzza Icon representing the flag French
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    Hi, I use this, fastened to the sofa with bungee cords. https://www.zooplus.co.uk/shop/dogs/dog_grooming_care/puppy_pads/44705 It’s really effective; my old ginger boy loves sleeping on it, it absorbs any puddles of urine well and it’s very easy to change. Best wishes

    Hi Landoras

    I’ve had a look at your link, it looks great; I’ll keep it in mind for the future just in case I ever need it.

    How are your cats doing?

    Have a lovely day,

    Liza

    Translated from French
    Landoras
    Landoras Icon representing the flag French
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    Hi, I use these, attached to the sofa with bungee cords.

    https://www.zooplus.co.uk/shop/dogs/dog_grooming_care/puppy_pads_toilet_training/15509

    They work a treat; my old ginger boy loves sleeping on them. They soak up any puddles of wee really well and they’re very easy to change.

    Best regards

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    ?
    Anonymous user Icon representing the flag French
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    Have you never tried anything before? A second tray, repellents, etc.?

    To start with, give them at least two litter trays. For the second one, make sure it’s a very simple open tray without a lid or a flap. Don’t place it right next to the other one, but in a different room or a hallway.

    And to match the height of the sofa, place this tray slightly off the ground (on a coffee table wider than the tray, for example). Make sure the whole thing is stable. Once it's all set up, show it to them.

    Forget all those old wives' tales about pheromones or smelly sprays to repel the cat; it won't do any good.

    To clean, use bicarbonate of soda diluted in water. It gets rid of urine smells effectively, and it’s really important that everything that’s been soiled is cleaned properly, as any lingering smell might attract them back.

    For a sofa seat that can't be removed (for instance!), let the solution soak right through to deep-clean it and catch the runoff with a basin underneath; don't be afraid to use a generous amount.

    Once it dries, the cushion will leave a bit of powder that you can just hoover up.

    Once the sofa is dry and spotless, cover it with terry towels with a semi-permeable pad underneath (more effective than a standard incontinence pad). You’re bound to have more accidents, so it's worth having some spares while the others are in the wash.

    It's the same for washing the towels—soak them in bicarb before putting them in the washing machine (standard detergent won’t be enough).

    Kind regards

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    ?
    Anonymous user Icon representing the flag French
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    Hi there, I went through the exact same thing a few years ago. I put a plastic tarpaulin over the sofa and then an old fitted sheet on top to keep it in place – it was a total life-saver because the sofa was protected. I managed to get six old double fitted sheets from my neighbours, plus my own, which meant I had seven sheets – one for every day of the week. Your cat is poorly, and I’ve had plenty of cats that were sick or at the end of their lives. It isn’t always easy day-to-day, and of course, you get fed up sometimes, but at least you’re here on the forum trying to find a solution. Give the tarpaulin and fitted sheet trick a go for the sofa. As for the bed, keep your bedroom door closed at all times. Your cat isn't doing it on purpose at all given their illness; they're having a hard time with it as well and are suffering too. Please don’t hold it against your cat.
    Translated from French
    Kikaah
    Kikaah Icon representing the flag French
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    "I’m starting to wonder what this furball is putting us through." You do realise your cat isn’t doing this just to wind you up, right?! He’s doing it because of his illness and/or stress. From there, you’ve got a few options: put an emergency foil blanket on the sofa to deter him from going on it, use some calming pheromones... why not get help from a pet behaviourist? It’s well worth a go!
    Translated from French

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