Why is my cat urinating on the laundry?

Question

This is the best cat. She is lovable and has a very calm personality. She has been checked by a vet and is very healthy for being 8 years old. She is fixed and declawed.
Recently, she has taken to urinating on laundry. She only does it on laundry and will now do it every chance she gets. It is mostly laundry left in a laundry basket or in a pile on the floor. It doesn't matter if it is clean or dirty clothes or who it belongs to. We have tried everything under the sun to stop this behavior but nothing has worked. Is there any reason that she would be doing this after the previous 7 years with no problems? I would hate to give up this cat but I can't have her urinating on my clothes. Cat urine stinks god awful in case you have never had the pleasure to take a big wiff.
Please help!

Answer 1

Hi Ed...generally when a cat begins to eliminate outside of the litterbox it signifies a medical problem such as a bladder infection (UTI), constipation or another problem. When they are are relieving themselves and there is pain while using the box they associate the box with this avoid it. Usually either a bed or laundry (dirty or clean) are one of the most common places cats use is a telltale sign.

Additionally, if/when there's been any changes within the home, new family member, furniture, etc. or change in the type of litter brand, location of the litter box all of these will also contribute to her change in habits. Some cats object to the type of laundry detergent or fabric softeners used as well.

Here's a brochure on inappropriate soiling by Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine: http://www.vet.cornell.edu/fhc/brochures/housesoiling.html

Please consider a visit to the vet to have her evaluated.

Answer 2

Cat Urinating On Clothes

Answer 3

1. Don't leave your laundry in this spot. Once they start in a particular area, it becomes too tempting for them to use that area again. Go to, like, Target and buy a laundry hamper that the cat can't get into. And don't leave clean laundry in a pile - put it up immediately if you know the cat will just be too tempted by it.

2. Clean the area really well with a product like "Nature's Miracle" (you get it at Petsmart) to remove the odor. See if there's anything you can spray around the area to deter the cat (I've seen a product called "Kitty No!" but I don't know if that's what it is for)

3. Make sure you keep the litter box clean - sometimes if the litter box is yucky they'll go elsewhere.

4. Take her to the vet as soon as possible- When a cat starts doing something like this, it can indicate a urinary tract infection or some other problem. If they get a urinary tract blockage it can kill them; an inflammation that doesn't amount to blockage is painful and can cause weird litterbox behavior. Urinary tract infections clear up quickly with antibiotics.

Answer 4

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
Why is my cat urinating on the laundry?
This is the best cat. She is lovable and has a very calm personality. She has been checked by a vet and is very healthy for being 8 years old. She is fixed and declawed.
Recently, she has taken to urinating on laundry. She only does it on laundry and will now do it every chance she gets. It is...

Answer 5

It's a soft comfortable place for her to go. We have a cat that does the same thing. We can't leave any piles of clothes on the floor without the cat urinating on them. Or area rugs. In 8 years, nothing we've done will stop her other than just not letting any piles stay on the floor.

Answer 6

Well, when you fix the female cat, they WILL urinate all over the place. What I mean is that they will urinate on walls, electronics, everywhere when they get the chance. I hate to say this, but she will probably have to go. If you have a fence, stick her outside for a few days, and try your best not to let her in, or you could just try to keep your clothes off the floor, those that are clean, you would need to fold them and put them away, immediatly. If you don't have a dresser, then go to Walmart and find a long plastic bin with a latched on lid and wheels on the bottom of the bin. You could fit at least two of those bins underneath your bed. I think these bins are over $12, but altogether over $24.
GOOD LUCK!

Answer 7

There are 2 answers to this question. First, it could be a medical problem, more like a Urinary Track Infection. Have you noticed a bit of blood in the urine at all ? Take her to the vet first, to rule out anything medical. Secondly, if it's not medical, then it's behavioral and there are meds for that as well. Sounds to me like the first one tho.

Answer 8

Cats Peeing On Clothes

Answer 9

Could be a bladder or uninary tract infection. Cats will commonly start urinating in odd places when they have an infection....she may be trying to tell you something...get her to the vet to see if this is a medical condition. If it is behavioral it will be much harder to correct.

Answer 10

Do your laundry on a regular basis.And clean up those piles of laundry for Gods sake!!