Why is my litter-trained cat urinating on the carpet?

Question

I have a 3-year-old cat that keeps peeing in the same spot on the floor - she has never done this before. What can I do? HELP!

**My cat is fixed and we have two - so I know she isn't lonely or marking. She also uses the litter box for the "other" thing, so I am confused. Thanks for the great answers.

Answer 1

2 things either toss out the litter box you have and get a new one litter and all, or toss out the litter clean the box well, hot water, soap and even a little bleach. Add fresh clean litter. If this doesn't stop after doing one of these then see a vet. Most likely the pan has soaked up some of the smell and your cat doesn't like it and that is why she isn't using it. My cat did that and washing it fixed the problem.

Answer 2

Kitty not using the litter box is possibly the most common complaint of all cat owners, and probably the one sure way a cat complains about a problem. There is no one-size-fits-all solution: a cat may be avoiding the litterbox due to a medical ailment, a sanitation problem, wrong litter or litter box, inappropriate location of the litter box, or emotional stress.

Before doing anything else, take kitty to the vet to make sure there is no medical problem. Be aware that if a cat is straining at the litter box and is unable to urinate, this is an emergency situation that requires an immediate trip to the vet. If your cat suffers from urinary disease or is older, ensure that the cat can enter and leave easily, as climbing can become very painful and result in the cat not using the litter box.

Sometimes if a cat hurts when using the litterbox, he will associate the litterbox with the pain and will avoid it, even after the medical problem has been resolved.

Some cats will use the litter box even if it hasn't been cleaned for a week; others will find another place to "go" if the litter box isn't scooped out daily. Some cats will "hold it" and cause themselves physical problems, while others will simply climb into a large potted plant or go on a rug.

Be aware when adding a new cat to your household that he may have learned to use a particular kind of litter: some cats may have learned to like the "gravel" feel of clay litter, others may have learned to use the "sand" type clumpable; while still others may have used shredded newspapers.

Some cats don't like covered litter boxes; others prefer them. Your cat may have an aversion to the scent or the amount of dust generated by scratching. You may have cleaned the litterbox with a strong-smelling cleaner that is irritating his nose.

Usually, a cat is most comfortable if the litter box is out of traffic patterns. If there is a lot of noise or people walking around, he may not be able to relax.

Too, a cat needs to know that he can "escape" - if the litter box is in a location where he can't see other family members approaching (particularly if those members are likely to swat him as he is in or leaving the litter box), he will probably avoid it.

Hope this helps!

Answer 3

She could have a bladder infections or she could just be marking. Hope it is the bladder, cuz getting a female cat to stop marking is like getting an elephant through a doggy door. It probably ain't gonna happen!

First, take her to the vet. They will do a complete exam and probably send you home with Amoxicillin.

If after you finish the meds if she still continues to urinate on things, try purchasing and enzyme spray. It will reduce the odor and could cause her to quit marking.

If that doesn't work, start doing your research. I have a cat that has been marking for close to 7 years. We have tried everything on the market and she still occasionally marks, but only in 2 areas of the house. It's not the most pleasant thing in the world, but it can be dealt with. Stick with it and try everything before giving up on her.

Answer 4

I had that problem with my cat when my little girl was born. My cat Simon was the love of my live, loved him more than my husband! When our daughter was born he quit using the litter box and started using the floor. I took him to the vet and they ran test to make sure that he had nothing physically wrong with him and told me that it was a behavior problem. They started him on a anti depressant medicine but it didn't help. We tried all types of different hormone sprays on the carpet that was supposed to keep him from wetting on the floor. He was 12 years old and declawed so I couldn't put him outside and nobody would take him. Finally I decided that my little girl's health was too important because I did not want her to start crawling around and find something that I had missed. On February 7, 2003 I had the veterinarian come to our house and put our cat to sleep. He is buried outside with a pet tombstone. That was the hardest thing that I ever did but as a mom I knew that my child's health could not be compromised.

Answer 5

Do you have some thing out of the normal routine happening in your household? If not get a spray from the vet tat will remove the odor.If practical set your cats box over the spot it is using now . Then slowly over about a week ....move it closer and closer to the original spot were is is usually kept.
Very IMPORTANT do keep the box SPOTLESS CLEAN!!!!!
Clean once a day,if room allows have 2 boxes available.Good luck;Es

Answer 6

She may need to get checked out by the vet. Sometimes they get urinary problems. Is your litter box extra clean? They won't always use it if it is soiled or if you have switched to a litter that they don't like. It is very unlikely that at 3 years old she would urinate on the carpet without a good reason.

Answer 7

Was this carpet a throw rug or a washer-friendly carpet? Did you simply wash or shampoo carpets? You referred to as the cat a he and male cats spray and mark their territory. He is also signaling to different cats (when you've got extra) that that is his field. If this isn't the drawback them transfer the clutter field to proper over wherein he urinated. See if this is helping.

Answer 8

Perhaps urinary tract infection-typical behaviour because she feels discomfort and connects it with the litterbox. Get her to the vet or collect some urine as she pees and have it analysed. These infections get well, but it is important to do treatment, because they are very painful and can cause crystal formation and blockage, or even cystitis and renal damage. If you ever see the cat straining, go to the vet ASAP. This is more usual in male cats, but possible in females too.

Answer 9

Find out who or what she's mad about. Have you changed (being added or subtracted) anything that could be traumatic?

Then again sometimes they just pick a spot they like for some ungodly reason. Treat the spot and th area around it with Pine Sol and baking soda. She may be going back because it smells OK to do that there.

Finally,the water bottle. Every time she gets near that area, spray and verbally reinforce the fact that you don't want her or her business there.

Answer 10

first make sure bladder infection is ruled out. Secondly is she the only cat using the litter box? Are you keeping the box clean enough, cats like their bathrooms to be clean just like the rest of us when we have to go.