How do I stop my cat urinating on my belongings? He has litter tray but chooses to use my belongings instead?

Question

He is locked in at night for safety reasons but then when he is waiting to get let out in morning he usually urinates on letters that arrive or on any item I may have left on the floor, be it rucksacks, suitcase, newspaper. It has started happneing more and more over last couple of weeks to the point of it happening every morning now.

Answer 1

Hi Richard...please 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
- unspayed/un-neutered if cat is over the age of 5-7 months. Cats will become aggressive as they sexually mature and territorially mark with either urine or defecating.

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

If a medical (physical) problem has been ruled out then it's a matter of being a behavioural disorder which can be treated with antidepressants if serious enough. Here's more on how these can help cats with elimination behavioural disorders:
http://www.vetinfo.com/catbhave.html#Elimation%20behavior
http://www.hilltopanimalhospital.com/feline%20housesoiling2.htm

Answer 2

I had this problem too.

Put the cat straight out side in the morning and if you have time wait until it has done one then let it back in for breakfast.

Put the cat out at regular intervals throughout the day and hopefully this should get it into the habit.

You also need to go to the pet shop and buy a cleaner called 'simple solution'. It is fantastic and really works on the smell. Read the label and stick to the routine and your problem should be solved within the month. (if your pet shop dose not stock it then get them to order it in for you)

One other thing! its a little mean but it also works. If you catch your cat weeing pick it straight away and rub its nose in its wee saying 'no'. Then put it either in the litter tray or outside, which ever you wish the cat to use more, and it will soon learn its lesson!!!

Good luck.

Answer 3

I would first take him to the vet. He could have a urinary tract infection, or crystals in his urethra, or other medical problems. I had a cat that did that, and several thousand dollars later, we had done all that we could do (he had the crystals), we had to put him to sleep. ALso, it could just be a bhavioral issue, in whch case you would get advice from your vet as well. Another thing to consider is that some cats are very picky about their litter. He may not like his. But being that you mentioned that it happened in the mornings, and you didn't mention that it happened at other times, it would seem to be behaviorally related. He might be pissed that he is locked in at night. Talk to your vet.

Answer 4

mine do this, i get so cross as we have 4 litter trays in the house, they say its because they are cross and its their way of annoying us, but spraying with water is effective but I'm not sure with how much time delay i.e. the next morning they prop just wonder what on earth your doing. Of course you could ask the vet if you cant get it to stop, it is obv a psychological issue.. one thing tho. MOST CATS HATE DIRTY LITTER that can be even if its just one little wee in it, so changing it 3 times a day can help. or get a cat flap

Answer 5

examine well-being correct themes first. He would have urinary tract themes or kidney or bladder stones. Stones may be deadly so a visit to the vet maximum appropriate away is important. If stones, he's in diverse discomfort and is attempting to tell you to help him. Male cats are services to those. The Vet will would desire to experience him so which you desire a visit. It sounds as though he had episodes and then settles down returned. if it incredibly is the case he would finally bypass the stone and then gets back to widespread till the subsequent one builds. It looks like he desires treatment and nutritional differences (foodstuff designed to shrink the probabilities of this going on returned). additionally, if he's been reliable till those episodes, it incredibly is probable no longer habit correct. Spraying even whilst the cat is neutered is extra of a demonstration of behavioral concerns (differences in the cat's atmosphere). If behavioral, i alter the dynamics (extra and cleanser muddle boxes, extra love, differences to the ambience if a clean puppy grew to become into presented, Feliway diffusers, etc.) email in case you like.

Answer 6

He sounds to be territory-marking. Has he been neutered? My male has but still sprays, mainly because of the agressive cat next door.

Does he always go in the same place? If he does, make it smell of citrous fruit. The spray of water is also a good idea - they don't like it but it isn't cruel in any way.

Answer 7

Sounds like he needs to be neutered. He is marking his territory. Male cats will usually stop spraying once they are neutered. Here are a couple of links with tips on how to correct the problem. I hope they help.

Answer 8

Most good pet shops will stock a repellent spray that you can use to make him avoid anything other than where you have not sprayed, it does not have a smell that you can detect when it has dried, but your cat will certainly be able to smell it.

Answer 9

is he neutered because unuetered tom cats spray their territory. If it is a new thing you could take him to the vets and get him checked over to make sure there isnt a problem.

Answer 10

hes marking his terrortory. the only real way of stopping this is to get him neutered.

i had to have thaat done to my male cat and i found he was actually alot nicer and less aggresive once he had the snip too!