My 3 year old, healthy male cat, for no reason we could possibly think of has started to use the carpet and our chairs for a litter box. He has never done it before. Any one has any idea or had to deal with a similar situation? Any help is greatly appreciated.
2007-08-28 18:17:06 · 11 answers · asked by Connie O 1 in Pets ➔ Cats
Has anything changed recently? Have any new pets or children been added to the household? Is there fighting or excessive stress between the members of your household? Cats are especially sensitive to things like this, and changes in their behavior can be a barometer for things that are happening in the home.
Is there an angry teenager or child who could be abusing the cat when adults are away?
Another important consideration: Have you taken the cat to a vet to rule out the possiblity of a bladder or kidney infection or other health issue? A vet can also offer suggestions on how to alter this new behavior.
It could even be something as simple as changing the brand of litter you're using. Did you recently get something new with a different texture or odor to it? (Try Tidy Cat Scoopable with the Red and Yellow lable....we haven't seen a cat yet that doesn't like this stuff!)
If you love the cat and want to keep it, (and your wallet won't like this answer, although your nose will), I'm sorry but do get rid of the carpet. No matter what products you use or how professionally you get the carpet cleaned, the odor is there now...and chances are the cat or other pets will return to those same spots. We have five cats (yes, five!) and got rid of all our carpet, using either laminate or vinyl flooring throughout the house. And we have no cat odor! As long as I keep those litter boxes cleaned daily, we're good to go. Before that, there were some real problems thanks to an older cat with territorial issues.
Good luck to you.
2007-08-28 18:37:10 · answer #1 · answered by CassandraM 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Could be for several reasons ...
You said he's healthy, but have you had him vet-checked since this behavior started? It could be a urinary-tract infection or a kidney infection. I'd take him to the vet to have physical causes ruled out first.
This might seem too obvious, but ... is the litter box clean? Cats are very clean animals, and would rather pee in a clean place ... your carpet and furniture ... than in a litter box that's not up to their standards!
Sometimes a cat will do this to demonstrate displeasure ... has there been any recent change to your family routine? A new baby, a new animal, a change of address, an unfamiliar person? It's kind of a reactive thing, his way of telling everyone "HEY this is MINE" ... essentially, it's marking behavior, which animals do in the wild to establish territory.
Male cats are much more likely to do this than females. A female would be more likely to go pee in a far-off corner of the carpet. A male seems to want to spray it around more .
I'm assuming your cat is neutered. If not, that's the FIRST order of business. But, since this behavior is new and sudden, please call your vet. Best of Luck!
2007-08-28 18:33:24 · answer #2 · answered by * 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A few simple reasons could be, a change in type of kitty litter, the cleanliness of the box, change of location,or number of boxes . Cats are picky!
2007-08-28 19:52:51 · answer #3 · answered by Moni520 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Urinary Tract Infection or some other illness
Also sometimes a new cat or change of living circumstances or some trouble in the house
Needs to go to the vet to deal with a UTI - or deal with his diet or other changes in his environment
2007-08-28 18:23:23 · answer #4 · answered by garywb333 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well, I don't have a cat now, but when I was younger I had one, and wouldn't always clean the litterbox, after it got to dirty for him he would go somewhere else.
Also, if you have more than one cat one could be claiming it as 'his territory' and therefore not allowing the other cat to go in it
2007-08-28 18:28:42 · answer #5 · answered by wyomingirlie16 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
possible because he is not fixed and females in heat are by. also it could be an urinary track infection. or did you move, add another family member, change something big than that could be why. also make sure to keep his litter box really clean and get him fixed.
2007-08-28 18:29:01 · answer #6 · answered by animluv 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
my damn cat does the same thing nothing has changed her box is clean maybe she has a kidney infection cause she still goes in the box and on the floor and we have two boxes always have and she keeps them both hot from using them
2007-09-01 16:30:14 · answer #7 · answered by ♥FANCYS_MAMMA♥ 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
could be a bladder or kidney infection.
or it could be a behavioral problem.. if you have gotten any new animals, it could be claiming territory... same goes if a strange animal has come around or into your house lately.... (even stray cats outdoors).
maybe take it to the vet to rule out the infection.
2007-08-28 19:12:28 · answer #8 · answered by letterstoheather 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Maybe if your routine has changed - eg work hours etc - he is feeling stressed or bored.
If you can't think of any reasons, I would suggest a vet trip as this could indicate some health problems.
2007-08-28 18:23:50 · answer #9 · answered by Jo 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well its either sick or u havnt changed the litter boxes litter and it smells bad or u need to change the litter into a different one
2007-08-28 20:54:24 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋