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The litter tray

Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

Original poster

Cat Peeing Everywhere

55 replies

AnnieOnAMapleLeaf · 03/08/2015 16:04

We are at our wits end. Our 4 year old male cat has always had an issue with urinating on carpeting. We have been in our house for 4 years and have replaced all the carpeting twice!

We have sold our house and are moving in 3 weeks. He is peeing on the landing carpet - the brand new landing carpet. So we are now going to have to replace that piece before we move.

We have tried everything we can think of - numerous litter boxes, scooped 2 or 3 times a day, feliway plug in, cleared by the vet.

I don't know what else we can do but we cannot afford to be replacing carpets every year or two. Has anyone else had this issue and, if so, what did you do to fix the problem? Thanks.

OP posts:
Tiptops · 03/08/2015 19:32

Sounds like you have your solution then - stick to hardwood.

cozietoesie · 03/08/2015 19:35

Nor in many American states, if I recall. Nonetheless, you've tried most everything else, I think?

Original poster
AnnieOnAMapleLeaf · 03/08/2015 19:48

Yes, we have. The backyard at the new place is fenced. Maybe we ought to give him the chance to be outside in the back garden with us.

OP posts:
Original poster
AnnieOnAMapleLeaf · 03/08/2015 19:50

I'm willing to try everything!

OP posts:
cozietoesie · 03/08/2015 19:50

It might be worth at least considering. I wouldn't rule it out entirely, I think.

Original poster
AnnieOnAMapleLeaf · 03/08/2015 19:56

I'm willing to give it a try. He doesn't strike me as the type to enjoy it, but I'll try it.

OP posts:
cozietoesie · 03/08/2015 20:02

Just keep your mind open to the possibility that's all.

Good luck - and let us know how it all goes?

Original poster
AnnieOnAMapleLeaf · 03/08/2015 20:10

I will. Thank you for all the suggestions. Keep your fingers crossed for my wee boy?

OP posts:
cozietoesie · 03/08/2015 20:18

Will do. Smile

Original poster
AnnieOnAMapleLeaf · 03/08/2015 20:28

My lovely boy.

Cat Peeing Everywhere
OP posts:
cozietoesie · 03/08/2015 20:43

He is lovely - although my granny would also have said 'He looks as if butter wouldn't melt in his mouth'. Wink

Tiptops · 03/08/2015 20:43

He's gorgeous Grin looks like butter wouldn't melt!

You can get brackets or rollers to attach to your fences to stop him escaping and wandering off further afield by the way. If he does take to going in the garden it may be worth exploring as a compromise.

Tiptops · 03/08/2015 20:43

Cross posted with cozie Grin

Original poster
AnnieOnAMapleLeaf · 03/08/2015 20:48

He is most definitely a trouble maker - lovely, but a trouble maker.

OP posts:
Original poster
AnnieOnAMapleLeaf · 03/08/2015 20:50

And, because I am so in love with them, here is my other fur baby.

Cat Peeing Everywhere
OP posts:
Jux · 03/08/2015 21:30

They are beautiful cats. Definitely give letting him out a go, when you get to your new place. It'll take him a while to get used to it and he'll be cautious and suspicious and timid at first. Else, try to rehome.

Hope it works out.

Original poster
AnnieOnAMapleLeaf · 03/08/2015 21:53

So DH has been reading online and he seems to think that part of the issue may be boredom. The new house has a huge unfinished basement and he has decided that he is going to build a massive cat tree / climbing frame for the cats to play on and make the basement their domain.

We'll try anything! Smile

OP posts:
cozietoesie · 03/08/2015 21:59

Worth a go. Smile

MagpieCursedTea · 03/08/2015 22:42

That sounds awesome and your cats are adorable.
When you come back and update us, be sure to post some photos of this cat playground your DH is building!

sparkysparkysparky · 03/08/2015 22:48

Take a look at the cats protection website which has an info video on this. Can't link, sorry. Also look at Jackson Galaxy on YouTube - cat behaviourist bloke. He tends to describe this as a territorial problem and has tips for sussing out what might be prompting it.

potap123 · 03/08/2015 22:57

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
AnnieOnAMapleLeaf · 04/08/2015 00:59

We currently have two large hooded litter trays with the doors removed. We have tried open trays but our male cat tends to urinate over the edge of them. They are in the basement in a quiet corner.

They eat Royal Canin Adult Indoor dry food. They have free access to it as well as a fresh water.

They have a cat tree, a covered cat bed and two open beds and a variety of scratchers.

When he pees, we blot it up with paper towel, spray it with water and then dry it with a wet/dry vac. We then spray it with vinegar and water and dry it with the wet/dry vac. Once it is dry we sprinkle baking soda over it, leave it for a few hours and then vacuum it up.

OP posts:
mumchkin · 04/08/2015 05:13

Our cat is the same - our carpet's getting replaced tomorrow actually, at great cost. Our vet is a bit of an expert on cat stress and the resultant bladder issues/cystitis. The advice he gave us (which is the only thing that really seems to work) is to play with the cats more. Get some toys like "da bird" (Fishing line type toy with a feathered "lure" on the end) and play with them daily until they are puffing. It takes time and sounds like it may not work but it does work. Hunting and playing is something that indoor cats miss out on so could explain why it leads to stress.

favouritewasteoftime · 04/08/2015 06:54

You might (hopefully) find the problem disappears when you get to your new home. Cats will go back and urinate in a spot that already smells of pee so even where you've cleaned and laid new carpet in your current house your cat will be able to smell the traces of pee there and will use that spot again. It could be that because your new house will be completely pee-free you'll be starting with a clean slate.

I'd also suggest using bleach to clean the floors. My cats used to pee everywhere but have stopped since I used bleach (very dilute) on the floors.

If you decide to let him into your new back yard you can use have it completely enclosed with a cat-proof fence so he's safe.

potap123 · 04/08/2015 13:55

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.