My cat is 3-5 years old and has been neutered. He's lived in a multiple cat household (4 other cats) and done fine. No peeing. Now, I live with two dogs and one other cat and my cat has been peeing on everything. My stuff, other people's stuff, trash, dirty clothes, couch, curtains, anything!
I've tried the pheromone sprays and they will work for a few days tops and the peeing starts again. The other cat has no problems. This has been on and off for a year or so and I'm tired of having to wash everything cloth in the house every week because it's been peed on.
I also fear my roommates are losing their patience and will take him to the humane shelter behind my back. Help! I am thinking of taking him to the vet, but since it's been so long, I have a feeling it isn't a UTI because I just learned that could be fatal to male cats, and he seems pretty healthy.
By kali from Terre Haute, IN
I recommend you go ahead and take him to the vet, to rule out any medical problems. Also, even if it's not a medical problem, the vet might be able to give you some sound advice.
What are you using to clean up the messes? If you haven't already, pick up some enzymatic cleaner. I used to get Petzyme at Petsmart, but last time I got some OUT! at Wal-Mart (more convenient since I was already there). The enzymes break down biological wastes, so the smell is completely gone. If any smell is left, the cat will return to the same spot(s). You may want to do more than one application, just to be sure (you let the enzymatic cleaner air dry).
When our youngest cat was a kitten, he had an accident on the couch (pee). I soaked up what I could with a towel, saturated the area with enzymatic cleaner, used the carpet cleaner to suck up as much as I could, re-saturated with enzymatic cleaner, and let it air dry. While it was still wet my other two cats were sniffing around (which really worried me that they'd start peeing in that spot), but after it dried they never paid any attention to the spot again.
You might also need to make some of his regular spots less attractive to pee on. Like (after you've thoroughly cleaned the area), get a plastic floor protector and place it over the spot. We got one at an office supply store to go under the chair at our desk. He might not like the new texture, and leave that spot alone. And if there are roommates in the picture, and he's messing on their stuff, you may have to keep him in your room while unsupervised for a while until you get the situation under control. You have a responsibility to be a good pet owner and a good roommate.
But please start with the vet. I hope that there is a relatively simple solution, and that it all works out in the end. (01/19/2011)
By Lisa
Cats seems to be very emotional (for lack of a better word) when something changes in their environment. We travel to Florida for the winter and a change in location, type of litter, new animal in the family have caused him to lose his litter box training. This is info I got from some animal websites. This was recommended and seemed to work for my cat.
To retrain the cat to use the litter box, borrow or buy a crate big enough for him and a litter box (I got a small travel size litter box). The cat moves into the crate and is fed in there for a period of time. I did it for a week. When he is using the box for a week or so try letting him out, if he messes up again go back to being in the crate. Also you may have to try another type of litter, mine prefers very fine litter. The article said you could also try hamster type litter (made of paper) if the cat is adverse to regular cat litter. Good luck. (01/19/2011)
I've been there with this one. It looks like a lot of other people have been there too. A cat with a UTI is in a lot of pain, constantly. It really needs to be checked out. Yes they can be fatal, but that is rare and results from a blockage of the urethra. Cats with UTIs, don't look outwardly sick. But they are miserable. the longer he goes ignoring the litter box, the longer it takes to get him back to it.
By Lizzyanny
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