Cat pee

[refugee44]

I'm at my wits end. I adopted an adult cat (7 yrs old now) last year. He's the perfect addition to my home except for one issue... peeing where he shouldn't. About 6 months ago he started peeing and pooping on the landings in my stairwell. I always keep his litter box very clean. He's been to the doctor twice to see if there is a medical issue, none found. I've used every imaginable cleaner on I could find, and he just won't stop using the stairwell as a place to go. He will also use his litter box, so I know he knows that's where he's supposed to go, but at least once a week I find a mess on the stairs.

I just replaced the carpet and sealed the wood with kilz to eliminate odor. Less than 24 hrs after new carpet is down I find cat poop on my landing. After spending nearly $500 on new carpet, I am not going through this again!

He is currently locked up in my laundry room with his litter box and food/water and bed. I don't want to make him live the rest of his life in the laundry room, but if I can't find a solution, he's going back to the SPCA.

Does anyone have any thoughts/suggestions? Is there some kind of repellant I can use to make that area unpleasant for him?

 

[luckystar]

Have you tried putting his litter box there for a while, and then slowly inching it back to where it's supposed to be (just a few inches a day)? Although you said stairs... if he or she is going somewhere in the middle I'd imagine having an issue with that technique. Unless you've got some really wide steps.

Or tried different litters, litter boxes, and locations? You also need to find a product that completely eliminates odors, not just to you - but to the cat. If even a hint of the odor is there, kitty will keep coming back to that same spot. There's a lot of good litter box advice in the Cat Bible. Petco usually has the book in stock, has priceless information, and tons of it on every topic you could think of.

Good luck to you and your kitty.

 

[morningbell]

Have you taken him to the vet to see if it's a UTI?

 

[refugee44]

Yes, twice to the Vet, no medical issues.

 

[JULZ]

Sounds like it's an emotional issue. Is there a new animal in the house, a new child...something that's different?

Anyway there's a product called Feliaway, plugs into an outlet and emits feramones (sp?) that calms the cat. Also there are products of litter on the market that attract the cat to the litter box but I can't remember the name of it at this very second.

 

[Cowgirl]

I had the same issue with a cat we adopted from the shelter. I tried everything under the sun and nothing works. He's now an outdoor cat that only comes in for a little while in the evenings.

 

[refugee44]

I had the same issue with a cat we adopted from the shelter. I tried everything under the sun and nothing works. He's now an outdoor cat that only comes in for a little while in the evenings.

He would love to be outdoors, but he's declawed on his front feet (came that way from the shelter) and I'm afraid to let him out unattended. I will let him out when I am working in the garden, and he loves it! I've often thought he was making the messes as "punishment" that I won't let him outside more often.

 

[Cowgirl]

He would love to be outdoors, but he's declawed on his front feet (came that way from the shelter) and I'm afraid to let him out unattended. I will let him out when I am working in the garden, and he loves it! I've often thought he was making the messes as "punishment" that I won't let him outside more often.

Our cat is declawed too. He was declawed when we got him. We live in a rural area with no neighbors, so I don't worry too much. It's either him live outside or him go back to the shelter and who knows what will happen to him then.

 

[refugee44]

Have you tried putting his litter box there for a while, and then slowly inching it back to where it's supposed to be (just a few inches a day)? Although you said stairs... if he or she is going somewhere in the middle I'd imagine having an issue with that technique. Unless you've got some really wide steps.

Or tried different litters, litter boxes, and locations? You also need to find a product that completely eliminates odors, not just to you - but to the cat. If even a hint of the odor is there, kitty will keep coming back to that same spot. There's a lot of good litter box advice in the Cat Bible. Petco usually has the book in stock, has priceless information, and tons of it on every topic you could think of.

Good luck to you and your kitty.

Because of the steps (standard size) I don't think that would work. I have tried different litters, but not litter boxes. I live in a townhouse, and the laundry room is pretty much the only good location for having the litter box. He uses the litter box, I don't think that is the issue. But WHY he chooses to use those two landings I don't get. All the pre-existing odor should be gone--carpet and pad replaced, the wood sealed.

He is the perfect cat!!! except for this issue.

 

[kvj21075]

our fat cat started peeing on my clothes when we moved her to my place. we bought some stuff from petco and it stopped it. but im sure she was doing it cause i have 2 cats also. poor fat kitty doesnt get along with my kendra. fatty is older and just hides under the bed 24/7 and kendra is only 2 and looks at her like a toy. i feel so bad tho, she lives under the bed. its been a few months and were no sure what to do about it. i love fatty, she is the sweetest cutest cat!

 

[refugee44]

Our cat is declawed too. He was declawed when we got him. We live in a rural area with no neighbors, so I don't worry too much. It's either him live outside or him go back to the shelter and who knows what will happen to him then.

Unfortunately, I live in a townhouse community, so I do have neighbors, and I live near a fairly busy street. Sigh, just don't know what to do anymore.

 

[Cowgirl]

Unfortunately, I live in a townhouse community, so I do have neighbors, and I live near a fairly busy street. Sigh, just don't know what to do anymore.

Good luck! Maybe you could get some of that Scat canned air stuff that sprays when they go to a certain area?

 

[OoberBoober]

Is he neutered? That cleared it up in one of our male cats, the females are a little more tricky though.

 

[DosGattos]

Try cat attract cat litter. We have a sphynx that likes to pee in inapropriate places. He can't help but get into the litter box with the cat attract in there.

 

[frequentflier]

He would love to be outdoors, but he's declawed on his front feet (came that way from the shelter) and I'm afraid to let him out unattended. I will let him out when I am working in the garden, and he loves it! I've often thought he was making the messes as "punishment" that I won't let him outside more often.

Declawed cats do not like certain types of kitty litter such as clay. Cats naturally *dig* a hole to bury their waste. Clay litter can get stuck in their pads when they dig and it hurts. Maybe try a different litter?
Also, some cats don't like using a dirty box so you might try to add another box.
Lastly, I would look for a pattern in his habit. Is there a person or event that triggers it? Does it happen on Mondays after you have been home all weekend? Does it happen after a certain person or kids visit? A reaction to the vacuum cleaner?

 

[refugee44]

I went out and purchased both some cat attract litter---didn't know it existed-- as well as some spray that is supposed to repell cats. I'm hopeful that one or the combo will finally solve this problem.

I have tried replacing his litter a couple of times, I was using the crystal kind when he started this whole mess, and he's had the clumping kind, pine, and recycled paper types, all with the same results. He will use the litter box, but at least weekly he will pee and/or poop on the stairwell. I haven't noticed any particular pattern, i.e. day of the week, any visitors or events (like vacuuming).

I hope this new stuff helps!