My cat won't stop peeing on my shoes....?

Question

My cat has systematically ruined EVERY pair of shoes that I own. EVERY LAST FREAKING PAIR!!! He goes into my closet and pi**es everywhere. I can't use my closet anymore as it smells like cat urine and I can not get the smell out.

1. How do I get the smell out

2. How do I keep him from doing it.

He has about 3 days (until sat) to quit this. Last time he did it I told my son that he was GONE...but I really honestly can't get rid of him....eventhough my foot did come into contact with his *** yesterday...he is my sons cat so I would feel bad if I took him to the pound.

Any suggestions?

And yes...he can open the closet door.

Oh I had to throw away all of my shoes...even if I did get the smell out...I KNOW.....

And I need to get the smell out of my closet

HE IS NEUTERED :(

Answer 1

Hi there...when a cat eliminates outside of the litter box it is indicative of a lower urinary tract infection (also known as FLUTD).

Here's more on causes of house soiling problems by Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine of Feline Health: http://www.vet.cornell.edu/fhc/brochures/Housesoiling.html

House soiling is the most common behavior problem reported by cat owners. It includes urination and/or defecation outside the litter box, as well as urine spraying.

Why do cats eliminate outside of the litter box?
One common misconception is that cats soil in inappropriate places for revenge. It is tempting to conclude, "He defecated on the living room carpet to punish me for leaving him for the weekend." But this kind of calculation requires sophisticated cognitive abilities that cats aren't believed to possess. Furthermore, this conclusion assumes that cats view their urine and feces as distasteful, when in fact they do not. It is only we humans who view it that way.

Medical Problems
So why do cats urinate or defecate on your bed or carpet? Medical problems are one possibility. Inflammation of the urinary tract may cause painful or frequent urination, inability to urinate, bloody urine, and crying during urination. An affected cat is likely to eliminate outside the litter box if he comes to associate the box with painful urination, or if he has an increased urgency to urinate. In addition, kidney, liver, and thyroid diseases often lead to increased drinking and urination. Inflammation of the colon or rectum, intestinal tract tumors, intestinal parasites, and other gastrointestinal conditions may cause painful defecation, increased frequency or urgency to defecate, and decreased control of defecation. Age-related diseases that interfere with a cat's mobility (for example, arthritis, nervous system disorders, or muscular diseases), or with his cognitive functions can also influence his ability to get to the litter box in time. In short, any medical condition that interferes with a cat's normal elimination behavior can lead to house soiling.

Litter Box Aversions
Behavioral problems, such as litter box aversions, inappropriate site preferences, or urine spraying can also lead to house soiling. An aversion implies that there is something about the litter box that your cat finds unsavory. It could be the box, the litter, the location of the box, or all three.

...please see website for full details

More on FLUTD: http://www.marvistavet.com/html/body_feline_lower_urinary_tract_dis.html

To eliminate the urine markings consider using Nature's Miracle Just for Cats. It's an enzymatic neutralizer which breaks down urine proteins by soaking the affected areas thoroughly deep into the carpeting and underneath and then allowing to air dry. Repeated applications are necessary for heavily soiled areas. Here's more about the product itself: http://www.petsmart.com/global/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524441775019&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302033673

Answer 2

1. There are a number of sprays on the market which can neutralize pet odors, try using one of those on the shoes (and the rest of the closet). Some of them may be salvageable.

2. Talk to your vet. It's obviously a major problem, and I can see why. Keep the door to your bedroom closed at all times (he can't open the closet door if he can't get to it after all) and look into finding a way to secure the closet door better - a doorstop or a childsafe lock will probably do the trick. That should keep your clothing and shoes safe until you can figure out why the cat is doing this and how to convince him to stop.

3. While you're at the vet, GET HIM NEUTERED. Tomcats spray to mark their territory - it's instinctive behavior related to mating, and if you neuter him then he'll be less obsessed with spraying. It probably won't stop him completely, but it should cut it back pretty drastically.

4. Kicking the cat will not make things any better. In fact, it will probably make it WORSE because cats mark more often when they're upset.

Answer 3

That has to be the strangest thing I have ever heard. I would suggest putting the shoes in a higher place.

Also, if you have the patience for it that is. You can work on training your cat not to go into the closet and/or pee in shoes. Never punish him if you didnt see him do it, b/c then he doesnt know what he is being punished for, even if you put his nose in it. Keep a water bottle or a tin can with dry beans. If you see him go near the closet, spray him or shake the can to scare him away. Or, put a pair of shoes in plain sight and play the waiting game, once he goes near the shoes, spray him or shake the can. This could take time, but I assure you that he will learn.

He is probably doing this because there is so much human smell in the shoes, he is peeing to claim them as his own. He smells you and your son and its just a way of marking his territory.

I hope everything works out.

Answer 4

The cat will never stop b/c he's just going to keep marking the territory. As long as the cat can smell urine, he will contine to mark the spot.

Clean your closet with pure vinagar and that will stabilize the urine smell. After the vinigar. Put down plenty of moth balls...they hate that smell.

Keep the cat out of that room or put a barrier in front of the close door.

Make sure his litter box is clean. Cats won't use a dirty or smelly litter box.

GOOD LUCK

Answer 5

1. put shoes in washer
2. the reason is that they are marking there territory and the only thing you need to do is go to dollar general and get a brand new rag rub the cat down with the rage and and then rub the rag e just about ever where he is spraying and he should stop after he gets down smelling the house because the rag will but his sent all over the house but since you are just rubbing he with the rag and then rubbing the rag in the parts the he sprays in he will stop and your wont be able to smell it unless you stick your head at point bland to the area you sprayed

Answer 6

well, you can use windex or a shoe cleaner to get the smell out. also, to prevent this from happening you can find a way to close your closet door. you can buy, those baby doors so your cat can't walk through it-only you can. also, use a spray bottle, or put something in your closet that scares him-but not in a bad way. good luck! hope this helps!

Answer 7

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 8

is he just doing this to your shoes ,if so he might smell other cats on your shoes or he just don't like you my cat use to pee in-my XS shoes all the time he even pissed on them when he had them on the cat just hated him needless to say i still have my cat X is gone out with the litter

Answer 9

ur cat is insecure, try givinghim/her more attention
he/she doesn't like the litter/food your giving him/her try a dif brand.

put a food dish in your closet, cats hate to p where they eat
keep your closet door closed
try putting a litter box nearby and clean the one you have more often

Answer 10

put them up high or get a diffrent door or put them somewhere else and wash them in the washing machine and use a smelly spray.