8 year old cat peeing, spayed, declawed?

Question

I have an 8 year old female cat. She is spayed and declawed. She has been peeing on the carpet in my houses for 7 years. She has been taken to the vet on several occassions and no urinary tract infections. I have moved into a new home with laminate wood floors, and she continues to pee on the wood. I now have her secluded in the garage because she can't control herself. She has started peeing in the garage, too. Her litter box is clean. I just don't know what to do anymore. She is declawed so I am having a hard time putting her outside without any means of protection. I am at my wits end and just cannot seem to deal with this anymore. Please, if someone has an idea. I am willing to send her to a shelter if need be. I just have no clue! Thanks.

Answer 1

Well, let me tell you...a shelter DOES NOT NEED ANOTHER UNADOPTABLE CAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am a vet tech at a cat shelter and we get people bringing us cats that pee outside the litterbox ALL THE TIME! They need to be euthanized if YOU can't keep the cat. It is not fair to ask a shelter to deal with your problem. Shelters are to ADOPT cats out from....who is going to sign up for the peeing cat.
And I hate to tell you, but at least 90% of the cats like that that we get in have been DECLAWED. I am not against declawing all together, but you did it and now there is a problem, so you need to deal with it.
If you cannot tolerate it anymore, have the cat euthanized. It is WAY more humane than dumping her at a shelter, having her maybe get adopted,having them dump her...and so on.
Or she can be dumped at the shelter, sit in a cage for a few days all freaked out, and then the shelter staff euthanize her.
Some declawed cats do fine outside. If you can't do that and you can't take it anymore...put the cat to sleep. I am sure you can't find a friend or relative that want your peeing cat.

Looks like "twilight" is willing to give your peeing cat a home!!!!!!!!

God knows, no one else want a cat that pee all over like you described.
Sorry for being so blunt, but last week alone, our shelter took 4 of these cats in!! ALL DECLAWED and all had been peeing on carpets and furniature for years. WE (I) had the PLEASURE of euthanizing these cats. I would have made my day better if the owner had taken that responsibility themselves. But, sooooo many owners won't. Drop it at the shelter and keep thinking the cat will have a good life!!!! It makes me sick. I am sick of doing the "dirty work" of owners who won't do it themselves.

Answer 2

We're in the same exact boat. We have an 8 year old female, spayed, declawed cat. We got her from a shelter 3 years ago and ever since we had a baby 2 years ago, she has systematically peed on everything our daughter owns, starting with all her baby blankets the day we brought her home from the hospital. We love and adore this cat, have tried everything under the sun, but we believe that because she's been declawed, the only way she can mark her territory is by peeing. We have finally come to the unsettling realization that the most humane thing to do is to put her to sleep. We have found our daughter playing with urine soaked toys and we cannot keep the cat in the house anymore. If we bring her to a shelter, she's more than likely going to sit in a tiny box for a month, scared out of her mind by the sounds, smells and close quarters. No one is going to adopt an 8 year old cat with a peeing problem. The decision to put her down will inevitably fall on the head of one of the techs. If someone does adopt her, we've essentially just ruined their home and they may not be as forgiving and kind to the cat as we were. I think it's best to avoid that torturous stay for our cat so that her last memories are a warm, loving home, not a loud, cold, unfamiliar cage.

Answer 3

My 8 year old female is spayed and NOT DECLAWED and has been peeing all over my house since my daughter rescued and brought home a kitten. My vet will not euthanize the cat, his assistant said they have a program where they can work on her psychologically! My peeing cat is being spiteful and actually peed on my dining room table besides all the floors. I have been spending nights up with her to give her non stop love and attention to see if she would stop. I have tried everything as to avoid putting her to sleep. It breaks my heart. I am 60 years old and have worked with many organization since my 20's saving cats and dogs. Like I said, I've tried everything...even extra litter boxes, kept completely cleaned out) and, by the way, she does not have any physical conditions that would cause her to do this. I don't have the money to pay for a cat shrink. She will actually squat down and urinate right in front of me while staring at me. I know it is completely unfair to try to put her in the pound or try to adopt her out. I could only imagine what new owners would do to her after she ruins their home. I would appreciate it if nobody recommends making her an outdoor cat, she is never been outdoors and I live on a main road. PLEASE SOMEBODY tell me where I can find a vet or any organization that would euthanize her.

Answer 4

It is most likely a behavioral issue and one that is extremely common in declawed cats. This is one reason (besides the amutation and pain) why cats should not be declawed.

If this has been going on for 7 years it likely is not a medical issue..in particular it isn't stones or crystals since if that had been the case your cat would be dead by now without medical intervention., however since the cat is now older medical conditions can be ropping up that just perpetuate the problem..she's 8 so there can be kidney issues, diabetes, etc. I suggest getting a real good vet exam done that includes bloodwork. This will rule out any new issues that have cropped up that may be increasing the problem.

There really isn't any ways to get rid of this issue when it is behavioral in nature, especially when it is likely due to the declawing...many, many declawed cats end up with behavior issues, litterbox avoidance, biting, aggression, hiding, etc. Many declawed cats end up in shelters/rescues as a result of these behaviors.

Answer 5

Last year my beautiful Manx cat Theodore went out for the evening and never came back. I love cats and the house didn't feel the same without one, so I picked up Lola from a rescue centre. She was very frightened and would pee all over the house. I found Cat Spraying No More� on the internet and the techniques worked almost immediately. I haven't had a problem with Lola since. Amazing!

Can't stop your cat peeing in the house? Then worry no more...

Answer 6

I hate to do this to you, but read about declawing here: http://maxshouse.com/facts_about_declawing.htm. And try not to be too upset with yourself. Pay attention to this paragraph:

"In some cases, when declawed cats use the litterbox after surgery, their feet are so tender they associate their new pain with the box...permanently, resulting in a life-long adversion to using the litter box. Other declawed cats that can no longer mark with their claws, mark with urine instead resulting in inappropriate elimination problems...Many of the cats surrendered to shelters are surrendered because of behavioral problems which developed after the cats were declawed."

I really wish more vets would warn their clients about the risks of declawing before performing the surgery. Try a few different types of litter. See if that helps...some cats feel pain in their toes for years after a declaw surgery. Alternatively, if you assume her peeing is her way of marking her territory, you need to make her feel that her territory is not threatened in any way. Provide her a spot of her very own in every room of your home. A bed, a toy, a blanket. Make her feel welcome everywhere in your home (at least when you're there). Shower her with lots and lots of love and attention. Play with her often. Set aside time everyday for just you and your kitty to bond with one another. Stroke her, brush her. Tell her how sorry you are that you took away her claws. Tell her how beautiful she is. Sounds goofy, but it really does work. You really need to make your cat feel special, protected and loved. It will require some work on your part. I don't know if you can rehabilitate a declawed cat, but if you understand why she is the way she is, you can perhaps compensate for her insecurities. Understanding is the 1st step...love is the next. Good luck.

Answer 7

She has mislearned where cats go to the bathroom. That is not easy to cure. Could you see an animal behavior therapist?

If not set a cat litter pan right over where she peas if it is indeed in the same place and move the pan gradually to the door.

This is take some time but has worked for me in the past.

Hey the garage in a warm cozy box beats being dead.

Answer 8

Is it just Pee? Does she poop in her litter tray?
Have you tried putting a piece of old carpet in the tray?
How may types of litter have you tried. Some cats don't like certain types of litter.
If it was my cat, I'd try a piece of astro turf (Cause you can hose it off) and see if she will try that. Is her tray an open type or a covered one? She might not like the tray its self? You might have to try the piece of carpet or astro turf on it's own. If she does go for the astro turf or carpet in her tray. Put a bit of wire mesh down,sprinkle some litter underneath and put the carpet or astro turf ontop. It won't feel like litter to her and you will still have the litter there to soak up the pee.

Good luck.......keep trying.There has to be a reason for it. Watch her for a while to see if she has a pattern she follows.

Answer 9

I really doubt the declawing has anything to do with it. Lots of cats are declawed including 2 of my own.

I'm wondering if your cat is depressed? Shes probably trying to tell you something. Are you still giving it lots of affection? new toys? maybe she just needs a playmate, cats seem to be happier with other cats in my experience.

I'm sure thats the last thing you want right now but it might be worth the chance, another cat or kitten just might retrain your cat.

Answer 10

Your vet has checked for infection but has the vet checked for struvite and oxalate crystals,

I have listed a few links to help you research your problem, I would try another vet, before you completely loose your mind, and do understand what you are going through. (O: