Cat Urinating.

Question.
How can I stop my cats urinating on my furniture and doormats? I have eight cats but this is not a case of marking territory - it is just plain naughtiness.

All my cats are indoor Persians but they have the run of the house and of a cattery joined to the conservatory. The litter trays are changed daily, and there are three in the kitchen, two in the conservatory, two in the cattery, and three in the back bedroom.

I have tried all the cleaning agents and surgical spirit to clean up where they have been.
The culprits are the latest two sisters, who have been with me for about two years. At first, they didn't get on with the others but were finally accepted by all except the eldest cat.

What makes it worse is that it's not only the furniture they mark. I have caught one of them weeing onto a dish of biscuits. They also toilet on my work surfaces and the cooker. I am at the end of my tether and even considering re homing them. I have always kept cats and have never had dirty cats before.

Answer.
I am intrigued by your comment that this is 'just plain naughtiness'. I disagree that there is a conscious decision by the cats to cause you distress. Although their behaviour is upsetting, it is important to see it from their perspective and understand why they feel it appropriate to toilet where they do.

It is interesting that the culprits are related to one another and it would help to know if they were ever completely litter tray trained or if their inappropriate toileting has been present since you got them. Cases of indoor toileting do seem to be common among Persians and it seems that the behaviour has a familial pattern within the breed. Although genetic factors might be involved. it may be the kittens from queens who are not reliably litter trained do not get enough exposure to litter materials at an early age to develop a strong association between toileting and the presence of a litter tray.
If lack of association is the root of this problem, temporary confinement may help. This offers the chance to maximize your cats' exposure to litters and minimize access to unsuitable areas.

Knowing more about the inter-cat relationships in the household will be important since problems of control over litter trays are often involved in these cases. With eight cats in the household you have your work cut out but I suggest asking help from a feline behaviour counselor who can investigate all potential factors and suggest treatment. You are obviously attached to all your cats and before going down the road of re homing it would be worth trying this.

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