Advice About Peeing Cat

I have a cat that I love that has begun the horrible habit of peeing on, well, just about everything, but especially our microfiber couch. She's only 2 and seems to do it out of spite, like after we come home from a vacation, when guests are over, etc. She's particularly shy. Any tips for curbing this bad habit?.

Shae from Oak Creek

Answers:

Advice About Peeing Cat

First of all the cat should be checked by the vet to rule out any possibility of a urinary tract infection, etc. The cat could be responding to the new boyfriend. Does the boyfriend like cats and does he treat this cat nicely? Felines have a sixth sense about people. The new boyfriend could be moving in on the feline's territory too quickly. Subtle changes in a cat's daily routine can trigger behaviors like this. The litter box should be scooped everyday! Would you as a human not flush your toilet on a regular basis! The cat is saying something! Don't get rid of her, listen to her and figure out what it is! (02/14/2005)

By Michelle

Advice About Peeing Cat

I'm with Mitch. I have two cats. When the 6 year old suddenly started peeing on the carpet for no reason after 2 days, it was to the vets with us. He had developed a condition that is easily treatable by changing his food to foods made specially for cats with Urinary Tract health issues. We now had no problems. If the problem had been the boyfriend, wouldn't it have stopped when she went away? Good luck. (02/14/2005)

By Suzanne Spencer

Advice About Peeing Cat

My cats did a little of this when I got married and my new husband moved in. One would pee in his chair at the dinner table or try to pee on the new sofa. It was exasperating, but I trained my husband. The cats were fine physically, but didn't like all the changes to our routine. Husband had to learn not to swat at the cats, talk loudly or be too rough with them, how to pick them up, and how to pet them gently and not do other things the cats considered "mean" or "scarey". They were used to sitting on the furniture, counters, wherever they pleased and husband didn't want them there. (I never ate there, so why not use the table as a cat perch! :-)

We made them a special cat perch instead. Now they like husband and play with him and want to sit in his lap and nobody pees in the house. I completely agree about the vet and the litter box first, though. And definitely figure out what the boyfriend is doing to the cats when you are not watching. I didn't realize why my cats hated my new husband until I saw him swat them off the table and "yell" at them.

I had to tell him to just call them by name and tell them "hop down" quietly instead and then praise them for obeying and they now respond to his voice...most of the time. I also agree that pets are very good at telling if a person is "nice" or not, even if they are very good at hiding their true colors. (02/15/2005)

By guest

Advice About Peeing Cat

I agree about taking the cat to a Vet. When they don't use the kittly litter pan, there is usually a urinarytrack problem. It is very important to have this checked out. (02/15/2005)

By GayCarolyn

Advice About Peeing Cat

I have a neutered male who started to do this too. After ruling out everything with the vet, we decided to try Feliway spray. After cleaning the pee with enzyme cleaner (Petzyme) spray the couch just a little with Feliway. This is a synthetic hormone spray that teaches cats its a "friendly" zone. Both these items can be purchased at the pet store. True, these things cost money, but they go a long way, and in my opinion, you can't put a price on something like this. No one likes the smell of pee! :) (08/20/2005)

By marlene stclair

Advice About Peeing Cat

My cat did this when she was new to our household. This is what took care of the problem:

1) clean furniture then cover it with plastic. (We used mattress protectors, but any large sheet of plastic would do).

2) Cover the plastic with temporary furniture covers of some kind since you will not want to sit on plastic.

3) On the spots that the cat likes to pee, leave special treats.

4) Give the cat extra love and attention.

Once the furniture was protected it cut down on my stress. I didn't have to worry about the furniture being ruined. If the cat is peeing because of stress, this will help the cat too. Our pets are experts at tuning in to our emotions.
Our cat would go back to the spots where she used to pee hoping to find a treat, and she would never ever pee there because she is fastidious about her food.

I also agree with the other posts which recommended that you have a vet examine your cat. However, urinary tract infections are rare in cats and usually only occur in cats older than five years. (08/20/2005)

Advice About Peeing Cat

My cat refuses to use a litter box unless it is pristine clean. I got tired of scooping all the time (or cleaning up messes in the wrong place) and bought a Stylette Litter Sweep electric litter box. It was worth the $100 and I didn't have to get rid of the cat! (08/23/2005)

By Julie

Advice About Peeing Cat

I agree about taking your cat to the vet immediately. My friend ignored his cat's urination problems and his cat almost died from kidney failure. It is on a special diet because of the irreversible damage done to its kidneys. Also have her spayed if she's not already because cats will urinate to attempt to signal males that they are "in season". (08/23/2005)

By Barbara L. Moore

Advice About Peeing Cat

Frequent urination can also be a sign of DIABETES. My 7 year old calico started peeing these GIANT puddles absolutely everywhere. She was also drinking for ten minutes straight. After she started getting insulin shots, the only place she pees besides the littlerbox is in the kennel when she's on the way to the vet! (08/29/2005)

By Guest