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The litter tray

Help! How do I stop my cat from peeing around the house?!

14 replies

Queensland · 02/07/2016 08:28

We have 2 cats and have recently relocated from overseas. Both cats travelled really well and settled in to their new home really quickly. They were kept indoors (much to their annoyance!) in our previous home due to the risk from dangerous animals/pests (snakes, spiders, paralysis ticks etc.) but we decided that it would be much nicer for them to be able to go outside and explore if they wanted to now we live in a much safer area. We kept them in for the first few months so that they were well and truly settled during which time they have happily used the litter tray but since letting them out one has stopped using the tray and decided that the corner of the kitchen or on the carpet is a much better place to pee! He deliberately comes in from outside to do it! I am getting really frustrated because I don't know how to break the cycle. I've tried all the different pet products to get rid of the smell and nothing works. And when I catch him looking to go in one of his '3 spots' I gently pick him up and take him to his litter tray but this doesn't seem to have helped. I'm really at a loss as to what to do.
He doesn't go out of the garden (the walls are very high) and no other cats get in.
Any help or advice would be appreciated.

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WeirdAndPissedOff · 02/07/2016 12:19

Unfortunately I can't really suggest anything for the behaviour - perhaps a feliway in case it's stress-related?
But it may be worth ruling out medical causes. Does he do a proper wee, or just tiny dribbles? Does he ever seem in discomfort? And is the urine ever an unusual colour or consistency?

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gamerchick · 02/07/2016 12:21

Where is the corner in the kitchen? I'm wondering if it could be territorial marking. They like to do that if they feel threatened by other cats.

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YouveCatToBeKittenMe · 02/07/2016 12:22

My cat started to do this and it turned out that she was not comfortable with the location of her litter tray. I moved it about 6 feet and there's been no accidents since.
They don't like their trays near doorways or busy thoroughfares. You could try relocating the tray or introducing an extra one.

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Toddlerteaplease · 02/07/2016 19:38

One of mine used the sofa when I first had her. It stopped after about 6 weeks. Started again after a weekend away. (Clearly 2 cats sitters wasn't good enough) vet said its anxiety and put her on cystophan which hasn't helped. Going to try zykelene next and someone suggested rescue remedy in their water

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Wolfiefan · 02/07/2016 19:40

Doesn't rescue remedy contain alcohol? Is it certified safe for animals?

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Queensland · 02/07/2016 21:56

Thank you for your replies. 😄 The kitchen opens onto the garden so I have a suspicion it is territory marking. He does a proper were each time (I put some puppy pads there and he has been going on them). Maybe I'll take him to the vet just to rule out anything medical but he doesn't seem unwell in any way.
At least he's only doing it on the floor not the sofa 😉 I would definitely be dying over that!
Thanks again for the suggestions.

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Toddlerteaplease · 02/07/2016 22:17

Fortunately it's an ikea sofa with removable and washable covers. All the cushions have puppy pads stuffed inside. And I've got waterproof sheets and kids bed mats to protect it.

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DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen · 03/07/2016 08:49

How odd, I'm sure I posted a reply yesterday Confused I'll try again!

No expert but I watch a lot of Jackson Galaxy and this comes up a lot. Some suggestions -

Litter box where he's peeing then move it gradually to where you want it.

New litter - maybe he doesn't like the litter you have.

Feliway plug in is great so if it is stress related it'll help calm him .

Mr Muscle pet Odour destroyer works ime after using bio washing detergent.

Vet to double check there's not a problem.

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Toddlerteaplease · 03/07/2016 09:50

I'm beginning to wonder if I've been treating the wrong cat.Hmm

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Wolpertinger · 03/07/2016 10:04

Get yourself one of Vicky Halls' cat behaviour books and try to unpick the cause of why your cat is doing it - she is a genius Grin

However her basic advice in all these situations would be you don't have enough litter trays - should be number of cats + 1, put litter tray over site where cat is offending, experiment with type of litter to see if cat has a preference, Feliway the crap out of your home, clean with proper cat odour cleaner right down to underlay, take cat to vet. After that you go cat detective if not sorted to find out what weirdness is going on in your cat's head.

There is no point in doing anything with your cat such as picking him up and taking him to the litter tray after he's committed the offence - he hasn't a clue what you are on about. Literally a millisecond afterwards and his brain has moved on. It only works if you can tell him off mid-pee - took me 6 months to catch mine with a water pistol and she never did it again. Her issue was textures underfoot - she had learnt that rugs on the carpet meant wee from weeing on blankets as a baby.

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Toddlerteaplease · 05/07/2016 09:01

My two have shared a litter tray for 11 months with no issues. And they are both still using it. So I don't think it's that. I wonder if putting down puppy pads is just encouraging it. Got some waterproof fabric sheets so will try them again. One hAs had a weeks worth of cystophan and they've both had two doses zykelene. Don't know what else to do now!

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Toddlerteaplease · 05/07/2016 11:34

I've just realised it coincides with me moving her basket off the chair and on to the floor. Where she won't use it. Oops!

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ditsygal · 05/07/2016 11:51

We have a cat who would rather pee anywhere other then his tray, he's 9 years old so we have tried many things with mixed success. But if it is specific places it is weeing, tin foil laid where he pee's will stop them, they generally won't step on it. A less unsightly option is a bowl of there food put in that place ( We have at times had mutiple bowls of hard food dotted allover the place! ) feliway plug in's can help if its a territory thing. Changing litter and increasing the number of litter trays is another good idea. Keeping the litter trays clean also is important.
Hope that helps!

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Savidog · 06/07/2016 12:47

I'd visit the vet and get a few tests done esp a urine test.peeing in inappropriate places is one of the warning signs for cystitis in cats...sometimes it's due to bladder stones other times it's due to stress.its important to rule out as they can get blockages with that condition and a urine blockage can be life threatening
Is he a slightly overweight neutered middle age male by any chance?

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