What should I do? Pet sitting cats?
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Anonymous
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I’m currently pet sitting a friend’s sister’s cats. My friend and her sister are currently on a cruise through Saturday night. I’ve been taking care of the cats since Saturday.
The first time I got there I noticed a strong cat pee smell and despite my best efforts, it’s gotten worse. Maybe it’s because the house is closed up with no airflow? Maybe because the cats have peed somewhere I can’t find? I don’t know. I have walked the whole house looking for the cause of the odor but I can’t find anything. Two days ago I cleaned the litter thoroughly, took out the trash, but the next day, the smell was worse than ever. I got such a headache afterwards that I seriously googled “ammonia poisoning”. The cats seem to be just fine. I’m supposed to spend time with the cats each day, interacting and playing, but for the past two days I haven’t been able to. I quickly feed them, change the water, scoop the poop, and go. I feel horrible about this. Should I let the owner know I can’t hang out in the house with the cats, but they are watered and fed? I don’t want her to worry on her vacation and there’s nothing she can do from the middle of the Caribbean Sea. |
Anonymous
| They definitely peed somewhere and you just haven't found it. Why don't you open some windows while you're there? |
Anonymous
I could, but I can’t stick around to let the place properly air out, too much respiratory distress and headache, and I wouldn’t feel comfortable leaving with her house open like that. |
Anonymous
| Look in corners or next to the litter box. They are probably pissed their owner left. Cats are the worst. |
Anonymous
This. I wouldn’t jeopardize my health or comfort for the entertainment of these cats. They are fed, not thirsty, and clean. You’re doing enough. |
Anonymous
| People can get texts on cruises - text the owner and say what you're smelling. Ask where they'd be likely to have peed. The owner would rather hear from you than not - I promise! |
Anonymous
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If you can get a black light flashlight, you can probably find the source. You should be able to pick one up for less than $10 at Petsmart or on Amazon.
Or maybe someone you know has one that you could borrow. Hopefully, whatever they peed on is something easy to clean (like able to throw in the washer) or that you can throw away. |
Anonymous
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I'm the pp above that recommended getting a black light.
You can also find them at Lowe's and probably other hardware stores. |
Anonymous
| Check the owner’s bedding. When cats are angry, they let you know it’s personal. |
Anonymous
| I have a cat. If someone feeds her, gives her water and scoops the litter, I am thrilled. I can deal with finding the smell when I get home. Don’t overthink this. |
Anonymous
| They are mad at you and showed you who is in charge. Your friend can deal with it when she gets back. |
Anonymous
Imagine how stupid a cat must be to destroy its own home to stick it to a complete stranger! Totally makes sense from an evolutionary standpoint! /s |
Anonymous
| Are you sure it's not just that you need to change the whole litter, as in really scrape the bottom of it (which might be very wet and sticking to the pan) and put a new bag in? Removing the poop/pee is not always enough. More likely than cats pissing somewhere: I have had cats my entire life and mine have never done this. |
Anonymous
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Check the edges of couches and chairs. If they are boy cats, they love spraying ON furniture when upset.
Also, as someone suggested above, the litterbox could be soaked with urine on the bottom. If there's fresh litter available, do an entire litter swap. Can you mask up before entering? I love cats but the ammonia smell from their urine gives me an instant headache, so I know what you're talking about. It makes me sad because I'd love, love, love to own a cat. |
Anonymous
| My guess is that it might be on the floor by the litter box or under the box and dried. |