Another kitty question.

Elle1036

My cat is refusing to use the litterbox lately.  Instead, he pees on anything absorbent that he can reach.  Usually it's a pile of laundry or something, but twice in the last month he's peed on the bed... with me in it. 

The litterbox is clean.  He shares with another cat (which I know is generally a no-no) but they've been sharing for 3 years without a problem.  I think he's upset at me for allowing my friend to move into the spare room in my apartment -- that's about when the problem started.  Unfortunately, I can't really kick my friend out, so does anyone have any other suggestions?

ADTonk

I wish I could help! My 2 kitties have been sharing a litter box since we got the second one and we haven't had any problems yet.  I wouldn't know what to do if one of them started going somewhere else.  I've heard that cats get bitter about things like that.  GL!

Elle1036

Thanks. I'm thinking about just leaving my dirty laundry basket where he can get to it.  I mean, if I'm going to wash it anyway, that's preferable to waking up in cat piss, I think.

jemmini6

Is he neutered?  My cat started doing that when he started spraying, so we got him neutered and it stopped.

SeaTea02

I have never had a cat, but I am assuming they aren't like dogs and a few paps on the behind, telling it no-no, and making it go outside wouldn't do the trick?

I mean, if it were my dog, i would bring her to the pee, tell her no-no and bad girl a few times, and then drop her off outside or in your case at the litter box.... 

leia1979

The pee isn't funny colored, is it? When my cat did something like this, we didn't know what was going on (or which cat it was) until she went on my parents' white bedspread, and the urine was pink. It turned out she had a massive bladder stone and had it surgically removed. After that, things went back to normal.

It can also be a sign that your cat is not happy with you. When my parents got a dog, the cat started peeing on everything to show her displeasure. You might see if your local humane society has a behavioral hotline. Ours has one, and you can talk to the trained animal behaviorist.

aah009

See another reason why I can't stand cats.. Actually I have a phobia. Anywho I would call a vet and get their opinion. I've also heard of cats peeing out of Jealousy issues?

skyler1108

Elle, cats do pee outside of the litter box when they are upset. I do think your friend moving in is causing your cat to be upset and stressed which could be why he has just started doing this. You can get a spray at the pet store to spray on items that he pees on that are more permanent items (not for baskets on clothes but rather if he likes to pee in that same spot or rug). Other than that I really have no help because we were not able to get my sisters cat to stop peeing outside the litter box.

SassyFlats

Get him to a vet for a checkup ASAP- male cats are more prone to urinary tract issues than females, and that is one of the most common causes for not peeing in the litterbox. If it's a medical issue, you certainly don't want to make him feel bad about it. Cats have a strong instinct to bury their busines.

If it turns out not to be medical, then it could just be the stress from the new person in your home. Does he get along with her? Do you spend a lot of time with her? I would get him his own litter box, put it in a convenient spot for him, and use that no-potty spray for cats to discourage him as well. Also, give him some extra one-on-one love and attention.

Cats don't respond well to physical punishment, so you shouldn't resort to that. He'd probably just get worse. Reward him for pottying in the litterbox whenever you see him do it. Give him snuggles and maybe a treat.

Best of luck! I'm sure there are some pet-related web sites with suggestions, and of course your vet may be able to offer some advice, too. But please, call the vet and have him checked for medical problems FIRST. If left untreated, stones and infections in male cats can be really dangerous.

Beads921

PPs had good suggestions.

I'd take him to the vet first. It could be a sign of something medical. If that's not the case, the vet might have ideas to help solve the problem anyway. I'd think getting another litter box couldn't hurt, and also showering him with love and attention.

BunnyChii

Definitely take him to the vet! There could be some sort of medical reason for your cat to pee other places, especially if this is a new behavior. My friend kept getting angry at her dog for going to the bathroom in the wrong places and scolded him. She finally took him to the vet recently and found out he had some sort of urinary issue. She felt so bad after that!

Good luck, and I hope everything works out!

Sparrow87

As much as I'm sure you love your cat...  How badly did you want to throw him out a window when he peed the bed with you in it?! 

jaycee7389

our kitty went through the same thing once we started leaving the house for longer periods of time. she would repeatedly pee on the same spot on our carpet regardless of how clean her litter box and occasionally in our laundry baskets also. i have a friend who works for our local humane society and she told us to put our kitty's food and water bowls right in the area she keeps going to the bathroom (which was in the middle of our dining room and awkward). she said that our cat would stop because she wouldn't wanna eat/drink next to that spot and it has worked so far!

AJesteram

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_another-kitty-question?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:136Discussion:e4c75412-13ea-42b1-8a4f-566f0640ca0dPost:2af165be-1278-4b62-8998-ecb5f6ad60e0">Re: Another kitty question.</a>:
[QUOTE]As much as I'm sure you love your cat...  How badly did you want to throw him out a window when he peed the bed with you in it?! 
Posted by Sparrow87[/QUOTE]

Lol I second this!

PS. But I do hope he's not sick!

Elle1036

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_another-kitty-question?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:136Discussion:e4c75412-13ea-42b1-8a4f-566f0640ca0dPost:2af165be-1278-4b62-8998-ecb5f6ad60e0">Re: Another kitty question.</a>:
[QUOTE]As much as I'm sure you love your cat...  How badly did you want to throw him out a window when he peed the bed with you in it?! 
Posted by Sparrow87[/QUOTE]

I laughed out loud when I read this.  Indeed, after forcing me to wake up at 4:00 am to change the sheets and shower, Freddie is not in my good graces today.

Thanks for the input, everyone!  I'll get him checked out soon, though I highly doubt it's a medical issue.  He's had a UTI before, so I know what to look for there.  I do think he's just upset by the situation with another person in the apartment.  What's weird is that he otherwise seems to be adjusting well.  He pretty much hid in my room for the first couple weeks that J was here, but now he comes out and socializes.  Maybe I'll try a second litter box.

lmwilber

Elle, have you switched litter brands recently? Sometimes that will cause a cat to stop using the box, if its not that or if its not a UTI, try Feliway (clicky). Its a cat pheromone product that is very effective at reducing cat stress. I have used it to get cats to stop peeing out of the box, and when BF and I moved in together, each with a cat, we used the diffuser thingy to help both our 'girls' have a smooth transition. You can find it in most pet stores, but its a lot cheaper on Amazon.

Elle1036

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_another-kitty-question?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:136Discussion:e4c75412-13ea-42b1-8a4f-566f0640ca0dPost:045b35c5-93c8-4471-aa23-4b7eaeaa7a1b">Re: Another kitty question.</a>:
[QUOTE]Elle, have you switched litter brands recently? Sometimes that will cause a cat to stop using the box, if its not that or if its not a UTI, try Feliwa y (clicky). Its a cat pheromone product that is very effective at reducing cat stress. I have used it to get cats to stop peeing out of the box, and when BF and I moved in together, each with a cat, we used the diffuser thingy to help both our 'girls' have a smooth transition. You can find it in most pet stores, but its a lot cheaper on Amazon.
Posted by lmwilber[/QUOTE]

Thanks Wilber!  I've used Feliway, or something very similar to it, before for a different cat.  This particular cat is currently passed on on the couch next to me with all four legs in the air.  He certainly doesn't <em>appear</em> stressed, but that's the only logical explanation.  I may try the pheromone again.

I haven't changed litter in years.

Ember01

My kitties started doing this, and I got a second box for them. This helped. I just put it in a different location in the house. It was like a new toy, and they were curious about it.