why would your cat after many years pee in a closet that belongs to the one who spoiled her?

Question

why would a cat u have had for a real long time go and piss on your husbands shoes, help he wants to kick her out he says she will keep going back to that place?

Answer 1

Hi Kathie...as the first person answered, your cat most likely has a lower urinary tract infection.

If this is something that recently developed, first consider all the possibilities such as:
- changes with litter brands
- location of the litter box isn't private enough
- some cats like to have one box to defecate and another to urinate
- cleanliness (some cats are very finicky and prefer a super clean box)
- as a general rule there should be one litter box for each cat plus one extra as a back up
- senior cats (age 10/11 or older) are prone to diseases such as hyperthyroidism and renal failure (aka Chronic Renal Failure - CRF)

If all these have been ruled out, there's a chance that your cat may have developed another underlying medical problem which can contribute to accidents outside of the box. Cats will associate pain while using box and change their habits as a result.

Here's an article about why cats inappropriately soil outside their litter box by Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine: 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 consider visiting the website for further details

Consider using Nature's Miracle Just for Cats found worldwide at most pet stores to remove the urine odours in the shoes and carpeting: http://www.petsmart.com/global/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524441775019&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302025596&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=2534374302023690&bmUID=1167132360710&itemNo=0&Ntt=nature%27s+miracle+just+for+cats&In=All&previousText=nature%27s+miracle+just+for+cats&N=2 It's an enzymatic neutralizer which works by breaking the urine protein down. Repeated applications are necessary for heavily soiled areas and items.

Answer 2

Your husband's shoes have his scent in them particularly if his feet sweat a lot. The cat is letting him know that she is there. It's her way of saying, "I love you."

Once an animal urinates on something, blot up as much as possible, (never use water as this just spreads the scent in a larger area), and then use an enzyme cleaner from the pet store specifically for pet urine stains. Use it exactly as directed.

If your cat isn't neutered, it might be a good idea to have her spayed. In the meantime, any articles of clothing from your husband should be kept where the cat cannot get at them at all especially if they are soiled clothes. Just putting them into a hamper will not do the trick if she can still smell them. Put them somewhere that has a door that can be closed. You could also try giving them a quick spray with Fabreze or a similar product while they are waiting to be laundered.

Answer 3

I would advise you take your cat to a vet first before drawing conclusions, as it could be medical. Something happened, possibly, and if your husband has mistreated the cat in any way, this could be a reaction to him personally. There are a millions reasons, but try to figure it out. If you are spending less time with your cat or if your husband, being her favourite, has changed a normal routine, she could be throwing a fit. You never know unless you do some investigation, as they won't talk to you. And in the meantime, keep the closet door shut and his shoes hidden, to see if she does the same to another item.

Answer 4

Whoa! Don't get rid of her that quickly. There could be several explanations. She's either having health problems or trying to deliver a message. Did you recently change anything about her litter box? A new litter box, new brand of litter, or even a new location, she may not like it and might need to adjust (or you need to switch back). Also, sometimes they try to let you know it should be cleaner if it was getting a bit full. Also, she could be having bladder problems, so if she keeps it up, take her to the vet.

As far as your husband's concern that she will continue to go in that spot, go pick up some enzymatic cleaner at the pet store. It will get the smell out so she won't continue to use that spot just because it smells like urine. Don't give up! You'll figure it out.

Answer 5

Maybe he stepped in something and you should take the shoes to the shop and get them cleaned and polished. Also clean the area where the shoes are kept and then keep the closet door closed. Sounds like something else is prompting the cat to do this. It doesn't sound like the cat is angry or anything. It must have something to do with the shoes.

Answer 6

First, take the cat to the vet. If she's not fixed, do so right away.

If she checks out ok, then the easiest solution is to keep the closet door closed. Really. If you know that the cat has peed there, then don't allow her access to it anymore.

And go to a therapist with your husband. If my husband ever said that he would dump my cat because of one accident . . .

Answer 7

good question. how old is the cat? senility may be an issue. how old are the shoes? there may be a smell the cat is trying to cover. how many cats in the house? if there is a new one she may be jealous. where is the closest litterbox? if she is old, maybe she can't make it that far, try putting a litterbox in that closet. if litterbox is there and she still chooses the shoes, it's a behavioral issue. determine what changed that upset her. too many possibilities really.

one thing to try to keep her away from the area is pepper sauce, such as tabasco. they can't stand the smell of it.

Answer 8

When is the last time you took the cat to a vet? and how old is she?. If it is an older cat it could me that her kidneys are failing. and if it is young or an old cat it also could mean it may have a UTI. urinary tract infections, if cats get that they think the litter box is hurting them so they wont use it. but either case take the cat to the vet, thats one sure way to see what is wrong. and there is stuff that you can buy to get rid of the ammonia smell, check out petsmart or petco.

Answer 9

First and foremost she should be brought to a vet to have a full health check up. She could be trying to tell you something is wrong. Also could something have scared her by her litter box that prevented her from using it?

Clean the area she urinated in with white vinegar to help wipe away all trace of her scent and keep the closet closed in order to keep her from going back in.

Could it be possible that your husband did something to make her mad and she got back at him? I've known many cats to have a bit of spitfullness in them to exact revenge...lol

Answer 10

Take her to a vet. Usually when a cat that is a pro at the litter box, ends up urinating somewhere else, she's trying to tell you that something is wrong.
She might have Urinary Tract Infection or something.