My previously-trained cat is peeing all over the place. What can I do?

Question

There is a new male cat in the neighborhood and he likes to sit outside my livingroom window and call to my cat. One day when the window was open (there was still a screen down) the male cat and my cat had a fight through the screen. Ever since then, my cat has been peeing all over the house (she especially likes to go all over my blankets!).

She was perfectly trained before this, but her litter box has since been abandoned. I have closed all the windows in the house, but it hasn't helped. How can I stop my cat from peeing where she isn't supposed to?

I don't know why the word "trained" was cut off, but it should read: My previously-trained cat is peeing all over the place"

She was spayed when she was a kitten.

Answer 1

I work for an animal shelter. Whenever I am talking to someone who is thinking of adopting a cat from us I always discuss possible behavioral problems with them. One these problems being litter box use or lack there of. When a cat stops using their littterbox, the first thing that you should do is take the cat to the vet to rule out a physiological problem. Once physiological problems have been ruled out it is safe to assume that the problem is behavioral. Keep in mind that cats want to use their litter box. Even feral cats will dig a hole for their leavings and cover them. A new pet, a baby, moving to a new house, or a strange cat lurking about outside are all changes that might effect a cat's behavior. The cat that has been hanging around your house has probably triggered a territorial response in your otherwise happy, well-adjusted cat. So the next thing you should do is to prevent the other cat from hanging around your house. Your local petstore should carry a variety of non-toxic repellents that you can spray outside your home. Then you must thoroughly clean any place in your home where your cat releaved herself. It is best to use cleaners that are specially designed for cleaning cat urine. Then spend some time re-introducing your cat to her litterbox. Whenever you see her use her litterbox reward her with a treat. That way she will associate using her litterbox with a reward. You can also talk with your vet about medications such as Feliway, Rescue Remedy, or Prozac to be used in addition to the behavior modification. I hope that everything works out for you and your cat. Cheers.

Answer 2

Usually a cat will "mark" it's territory by peeing. Since this other cat came along, your cat is marking to basically fend off the unwanted cat. For this, you can either get her spayed or just keep her in one room (maybe with tiling or wooden floors) and a litter box and don't let her out til she started to go in the litter box again.

Answer 3

Same wth my cat, now every day we take her to the box in the morning. We clean it in front of her and put her inside and quietly step aside. She does her business and gets it out of her, therefore nothing to leave on the furniture or blankets. Maybe if you do that for awhile she will get back in the hang of things. It seems she got very distraught over the fight. Just keep making sure the male cat doesn't come around anymore.

Answer 4

Try getting your cat a friend. A neutered male.

Your cat is mad at you. I know this sounds strange but your cat is lonely and wants a cat friend. Also, the male at the window is most likely NOT neutered and is spraying outside your house to attract your cat. You can buy a cat odor repellent and spray it at the base of all your windows and doors. But don't expect him to go away. He will be back and spray again so keep the repellent handy.

Answer 5

Sound's like she's under stress and is trying to mark her territory - try by making sure the male cat isn't spraying around the doors and windows. Also use non-ammonia cleaners to remove any urine (can be purchased at any pet place) so she won't keep going back to the same places. There is also "Boundary", but it has to be used everyday and can be toxic. There's the water gun approach (shoot her when she starts to go), but I'd also advise talking to your vet.

Answer 6

Get her fixed. This really should have been done when she was a kitten, but since it wasn't she's trying to keep the male cat away by marking her territory.

People, spay or neuter your animals as babies please. Only professional breeders should be breeding these animals for pets.

Answer 7

Cats that are trained are doing it for 2 reasons, they are sick or they are stressed. The outdoor cat has freaked her out and now she wants him to know (not that he could come inside) that this is her territory and to stay away. One of my cats was doing the same thing, so I took them to the vet. It turned out to be a UTI and he was peeing "crystals" or hardened pieces of minerals. It was painful and he was trying to tell me something by doing something so out of character for him. The vet gave him antibiotics and changed his food, now he is fine. If it turns out your cat is not ill, at the very least, your vet can recommend if you can spray something around the perimeter of your home to deter this cat from coming around your property.

Answer 8

This (I think) doen't have anything to do with the other cat,...females rarely spray,.....BUT do pee if they are sick. One of my females started doing that especially on bedding, took her to vet, she was anemic or something,...got a shot, a couple of pills and she quit. Take her to the vet, if you need a charity clinic, call your local dumb friends league and tell them you need a charity clinic.

Answer 9

Your cat might have a urinary tract infection.I had a friend with the same problem and she took her cat to the vet. It would be ok to call the vet and see what they might say.

Answer 10

Get her spayed