☑️clean up cat pee off the couch

Ebbie, my client’s cat who was desperately trying to communicate her frustration. Photo use courtesy Ebbie’s owner

✔ Organize holiday grocery list
✔ Wrap presents
✔ Vacuum house
✔ Decorate Christmas tree
✔ Clean up cat pee on the couch.

Wait, what?

Cleaning up messes outside the litter box are never on the to do list.

When our pets are stressed, they are going to act out in some way or another to let us know things aren’t in balance anymore.

❌ Peeing outside the litter box.
❌ Chewing on your favorite shoes that you needed for tonight’s dinner out.
❌ Scratching your favorite piece of furniture.
❌ Destroying the couch cushions.

The list goes on, and in the middle of an already busy holiday season, dealing with them is never something you want to have to add to the to do list.

A recent client came to me because her cat was peeing outside the litter box when she left town. She’d made all the arrangements, had a fabulous pet sitter that the cats already knew, she’d done everything that she had done in the past, but this time it didn’t work.

During our session, we connected with her cat and discovered the root cause: she was feeling abandoned and deeply stressed by the sudden change in routine and schedule. And rightfully so - her world had been disrupted.

As much as we’d love to stay home and never leave our pets for one second, that isn’t practical either.

So what’s the solution?

My client had travel scheduled upcoming again, and was concerned that her couch might have to be replaced if the cat continued expressing her displeasure at the disruption in her life.

This time we arranged for a series of check ins with her cat, scheduled every few days while she was away. She gave me all the information about their travel, when the pet sitter would be there, and what the routine would look like while they were gone.

Each day I took some time to check in with her cat, and find out how she was feeling, what was happening from her perspective, and let her know what to expect for the next couple days.

My client’s return home was much happier - more welcoming cats, and no spots on the couch!

That’s the power of this work: it provides a witness and connection in ways that we can’t always do as owners.

This holiday season, give your pet a little more support through the stress and upheaval in their routines with an animal communication package tailored to exactly the level of support you and your pet need.
Want daily check-ins? Done.
Only need a check in once a week as you move through the holidays and changing schedules? Easy Peasy.
Want to make sure your pet is prepared for lots of guests, or your own travel away from the house all day? Can do.

Reach out to me and let’s talk about your holiday plans and design support for you and your pet. The last thing you want to add to your to do list is cleaning up an unplanned mess!