how can i stop my cat messing in the house?

Answer 1

Cet a litter tray?
If you have one and they wont use it, make sure its clean all the time sometimes cats are funny and wont go in it if theres just one poo in there (same as humans i guess, i wouldnt go if there was a log in there)
Anyway if its all clean make sure they know where it is, like if they look like they are scratching the floor, which is what they do when they want the loo, gently pick it up and put it in the tray.
If they STILL go on the floor make sure its actually peeing and not spaying they look and smell the same but are not, you need to get your cat neutured (cant spell?) dont forget girl cats spay too!
dont rup their faces in it or anything thats for puppy's i think it just pisses themoff and makes them afraid of you.
Good luck
Edit : and dont hit them either its not nice!

Answer 2

Is it doing it in one place. If so what you Need to do is wash the area really well in washing up liquid only.. Do not use bleach based or high scented products as it masks the smell and encourages them to top up their smell to hide it.. If it is on carpet remove the underlay and wash the carpet really well.. Then buy a puppy training pad (Which looks like a giant flat nappy for the pet store they are quiet cheap.. Stick it down over the area and put their food on the spot.. Most animals will not poo and eat in the same place.. Avoid offering litter trays near where they have messed before as this will only re enforce the idea that its OK to do it there.. If it is in more than one place this advice will also work but will take longer to achieve as you will have to do it each time there is an accident.. Another thing that can help is.. to use tin foil over the washed area.. Each time it has to be very clean or it will not work but sticking an uncomfortable thing to walk on over the area will discourage them .. At the same time always have two clean litter trays available to them as some cats wont use it if they have already.. So two will save the hassle.. Keep this up long enough and It will work.. Hard work for you but rewarding in the end..

Answer 3

When cats, or normally kittens "mess" in the house this can be for one of several reasons, they could have not been taught at an early age (up to ten weeks) how to use a litter tray by their mother, possible nervousness at a new home or person, or as frequently associated with toms, to mark thier territory
The first case is the most difficult to deal with as you have to try and be "mother " for a short time, i.e. grabbing them when they squat and placing them GENTLY into the litter tray. This should only need to be done for a week or so, if there is an ongoing problem after this time seek help from a nearby vet. As for the other kinds this is perfectly normal "territorial" behaviour and should settle down as the cat learns not to s**t on his or her doorstep, as the saying goes.........GOOD LUCK, hope this was helpful. bfn

Answer 4

Most cats start messing in the house as a rebuke to the owner.
Did she used to use a litter tray and then stopped? Do you try to feed her next to the litter tray? They don't like to eat in their bathroom.
Did she start this recently? What happened around that time?
If she's never used a tray she may never have learned, or doesn't like the location or the litter. Try moving and cleaning the tray and changing the litter for a different brand. (Its called 'surface preference') Put one of her droppings in there to give her the idea. If you have 2 cats they need a tray each.
Heres the web address for The Association of Pet Behaviour Therapists. They have cat experts who deal with this.

Answer 5

Is kitty peeing or pooping outside the litterbox. Therefore before assuming it behavioral bring the cat to the Vet for a check -up to eliminate any medical issues. Once kitty get's a clean bill of health then consider making a few changes.

If you use a covered litter box, take off the lid. Many cats refuse to use covered boxes.

Cats prefer fine grained unscented litter. So, you might try changing litter.

Make sure you have at least one litter box per cat.

Do not place litter boxes right next to each other because they cat might interpret the two boxes as one and then refuse to use the second box if the first box has any old urine or feces in it.

Make sure you scoop the litter box daily, and with multiple cats, scoop twice daily. Cats often refuse to use dirty boxes.

If your litter boxes are real old, they may have absorbed odors even if you regularly clean them. So, try buying new boxes.

Make sure your litter boxes are in a place where the cat feels safe while going potty. If she is disturbed by you or your kids(?) or the other cat while she is trying to potty, she will choose to
use a safer location. So, move the litter box to a location where she can see the comings and goings of the other people & animals in the house.

Put a litter box on each level (floor) of the house.

Make sure you thoroughly clean all old urine spots on the rug and elsewhere. If she can smell the old urine she will think that place is a good place to pee. Use a flourescent black light to find old urine and treat all old spots with an enzymatic cleanser.

Try putting a plastic carpet runner upside down on the places they like to pee....most cats don't like to walk on the "spikes" so they will avoid the covered spots.

Put something real smelly where she likes to pee...most cats hate the smell of citrus, so try putting citrus scented air freshener or orange peels or citrus potpourri where she pees/poops.

Answer 6

We got our cat 7 years ago from an Amish farm where he had always just done his business outside (because they were all outside cats). When we decided to bring him home, my grandmother (the queen of all things cat) told us to put some dirt in the litter box. When we first brought him home, we picked him up and put him in the box so he would know where it was at (since everything was new to him). He has never had an "accident" where he went outside of the box.
Try putting some dirt in the litter box (it's a cat thing), and if that doesn't work, ask your vet.

Answer 7

I have a cat that used to do the same thing. Everytime the cat goes where he/she isn't supposed to, squirt him/her with a water bottle. Some cats feel that they are more superior than others, and may demand a clean(no mess) litterbox at all times. Use the water bottle and put the cat in its place.

Answer 8

Listen to chickL, very good advice!

Do not lisen to Dr Stupid. Do not spray the cat in this situation. It works for other things but in this case your cat needs special attention to figure out why it is messing in the house not discipline!

Just seen some other fantastic answers too - and some stupid ones!! DO NOT RUB YOUR CATS NOSE IN IT!!!!

Answer 9

Give her a litter tray; there may be something outside which terrifies her, like a local dog, or another cat, or children. If you dont love her enough to want to do this, take her to an animal shelter (a non-kill one)

Answer 10

If a cat is urinating in the house that can be a sign that they have a bladder or kidney infection. Check with the vet.