My cat won't stop peeing on my bathmats! Help!?

Question

I just moved out of a 3-bedroom home with my 2 cats. I moved into a fairly small 1-bedroom apartment. I suspect that my cat Frodo is angry about this and consequently, he's been peeing on my bathmats! He's peed on them 6 - 8 times total. They're white, so it really shows. It's very frustrating. He also runs around the house wailing. I've washed my mats with tons of bleach and soap, but he just keeps peeing on them! I've tried setting them outside for a week or two, hoping he'll forget. I've also put his face near the pee and spanked him, like they tell you to do, so I think he knows it's wrong. Is there a way that I can get him to stop?! Thanks in advance.

I mean, I just patted him on the hindquarters to show him it was wrong...It's not lke I beat him up or something...You guys are making me feel bad.... =(

Answer 1

Putting the bath mats up after you use them is really the best idea. There is also a product called Feliway that repels them from peeing where they should not. Frodo sounds like he might be a bit upset about the move. If you can try and find the time to play with him more. Maybe get some new toys he would like and make a point of having a game every day. He might also like a window seat that can be bought in most pet stores. This would allow him to watch out the window and maybe would alleviate some of the anxiety he is feeling. Poor Frodo. I am sure you all miss the house.

Answer 2

I had a cat for 17 wonderful years that did the same thing. My only answer was to either pick up the bathmats or get rid of the cat. I picked up the mats. Once they get a habit like this started it is very hard to get them to stop. Who ever told you to rub their nose in it and spank them told you wrong!That only flustrates the cat more and will increase his naughtyness. Cats are totally different then dogs and hitting them is not a good thing. They can turn against you. Its a known fact that a dog will take abuse but a cat will not. They will run away if they are hit and not taken care of properly. Another thing is to be sure to keep the litter box clean. This might help. You could also just close the bathroom door. There are sprays on the market that you can buy but I have never had much luck with them.

Answer 3

Cats are very sensitive to change. He might have developed a urinary tract infection from stress. Take him to the vet.

My cat was doing the same thing, but on the couch. What a mess. I took him to the vet and he had a blockage. I also yelled at him, but that will never work if a cat is sick.

Also give him lots of attention. Hold him and pet him a lot. Again, cats are very sensitive to change and he is probably stressed out as well.

Take care,
Troy

Answer 4

no no frodo, bad kitty. have you tried putting your bath mat over the tub or hanging it over the shower door? if it's not on the ground he probably won't pee on it. maybe you just have to keep the bathroom door closed from now on, bummer. my mom had a wild cat and she had to put the cat box wherever the cat sprayed. the kitty chose next to the dining room table, so that's where the litter box went. now that's a bummer. good luck. oh and "spot shot" gets stains up really good.

Answer 5

Please refer to my answer at the thread on: http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AmQvWutq.we0FoZdnkpjy8gezKIX?qid=20061027071548AA6qklB

Also, considering your cat is a male cat, another common problem is urinary tract obstruction. Male cats have a very tiny penis (sorry!) with a urethra (that's the tube in the penis that pee and semen come out) that narrows abruptly at the tip. Consquently, any small mineral crystal or "plug" of dead skin cells can get jammed in there and block the passage of urine. If your cat is blocked, he will be urinating frequently but only drops at a time. He may be in pain when you touch his tummy and there may/may not be blood in his urine. It would be unusual but not unheard of for him to only urinate on your bathroom rugs, but I could propose that if he is in pain he might find a cool bathroom floor relieving and just get up to pee on the rug.

I don't necessarily suggest that this is the cause of his "pee problem", just that it is another possibility that you should consider. If you think your cat is blocked he should be seen by a vet asap for assesment and to remove the blockage if one is present. A persistent urinary tract blockage can lead to bladder rupture. :( :(

Hope that helps you.

Tanya

Answer 6

first off NEVER EVER EVERRRRRR HIT UR PET!! it jus shows demanding the alpha position (which u already have) cats go thru stress and this is what they do..since u moved to a new location, it grows stress to him..everything is new ..spanking will NEVER help him hell jus do it even more.. if ur cat is a male he is prolly MARKING his "territory" or showing that you belong to him since ur SCENT is on the bed.get him fix and everything will be fine. my cat pees on ma bed because the litter needs to be change try changing the litter, if hes an outdoor cat...well...i cant help you there because ma cats are indoors. i really hope this helps you...and please stop the abuse...hitting will not work AT ALL...

good luck to you and your cat

Answer 7

I really don't know how well to fix the problem. But I would definitly get rid of the matts. no matter how much you have washed them, he must see them as a good place to pee. you must remove them and live with out bath matts for a while and see what happens.

Answer 8

Never spank a cat.

Hang up your bathmats when they are not in use! It's not that difficult and if he keeps going back to pee on them...

Oh...and NEVER spank a cat.

Answer 9

My cat does this but it's usually when I haven't changed the litter (I change it every morning) and a couple of times I have forgotten so she shows me who's boss.

Answer 10

Put that nasty cat outside or your apartment is going to smell of cat urine. And that's gross!