Cat suddenly peeing outside box in Dining Room on carpeting

[Eurobabe]

HELP CAT PEOPLE!!

Okay, so my friend sent me this card for my birthday. We laughed hysterically about it 5 months ago -- now the real life drama is playing out in MY dining room!!!



The Daemon is peeing in the corner of my dining room, it started about a month ago, I smelled cat urine. I thought the kitten was doing it, but he's gone now almost 2 wks and the peeing is continuing!!

Anyone have a clue why he might be doing this all of a sudden? He is almost 5.5 yrs old, seems in good spirits, is it possible that either he is missing the kitten or reacting to new cat litter my hubby brought home?

Any advice most appreciated. I can't deal with this behavior!!

-48%er

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

1. Take him to the vet ASAP.

He should be tested for a urinary tract infection. If it's not that, the vet can advise you on behavioral issues. To get the smell out in the meantime, you could try Nature's Miracle -- it works pretty well on cat pee.

[kestrel91316]

2. Cat vet here:

Step #1 - take him to your vet promptly. Do not pass go. Do not collect $200. Get a complete urinalysis with culture/sensitivity.

If the urine is normal (no infection or other disease problem) go to Step #2.

Step #2 - have a talk with your vet about your cat's behavior problem.

-----------------

The most common cause of inappropriate urination is urinary tract disease. There may or may not actually be an infection. In either case, diet is a major factor in the development of urinary problems. The #1 culprits are FISH in the diet (read ingredients list on everything you feed) and too high a proportion of plant protein vs animal protein (premium diets have more animal protein) resulting in urine that is too alkaline. Cystitis/FUS is annoying at the least, and can become life-threatening if urinary obstruction develops (a boy cat problem). I recommend Science Diet or Max Cat (but not their seafood flavors) as these brands are the least likely to cause urinary problems in my experience.

If your cat's urine is normal, then behavior needs to be evaluated. Some tips for avoiding behavioral pee problems: Use enough litter boxes (rule of thumb is one per cat, plus one, but I have only one for 2 cats and they are happy); NO LIDS on the boxes - cats hate litter box lids that trap odors inside; use a top quality unscented clumping (scoopable) litter that forms HARD clumps and there is no ammonia stink after use (PetSmart's Exquisicat is my favorite); keep the box in a bathroom if possible, or other quiet out-of-the-way spot, and keep the food/water in the kitchen; don't let children/dogs pester the cat while using its box; avoid those damned electronic self-scooping boxes (big cause of problems in my patients); how many cats in your home, and how many square feet (avoid overcrowding); consider use of Feliway/Comfort Zone pheromone diffusers to calm kitties. Lastly, there are medications for relieving anxiety and decreasing the tendency to act out by urinating inappropriately. They are not 100% successful. I prefer to use Buspar (buspirone) but some vets use others. Amitryptiline comes to mind.

Good luck. PM me if you have any questions.

[japple]

3. Thanks, Kestrel for your good advice. I am saving your replies

in my Cat Instruction Book. We're so lucky to have you here.

[kestrel91316]

4. Thank you. Always happy to help.

Sometimes people need a little hand cutting through all the internet rumors, bad info from well-meaning family/friends, and excess info from their own vets. I try to keep it simple.

[Eurobabe]

6. he's going today at 4:30pm

He had crystals in his urine before when we were in Virginia. I think maybe it was the stress of the kitten. Towards the end, they just did not get along at all, and Daemon got ugly.

I also need to get the cheapo unscented clumping litter again, that's another change I've made in the past couple weeks, I think he hates it.

No kids here, just adults. Only two kitties now, and older one who is very docile. Both cats eat Royal Canin dry, Daemon pukes up anything but sensitive stomach food. I may look into the Feliway at Pet Smart.

Thanks for the tips. I've been through this several times with other cats. Harumpf.

[Samurai_Writer]

5. After you go to the vet...

If it's not because of a UTI, I would suggest using Cat Attract cat litter. It really does work! My Persian, Sterling, was peeing on my FUTON when I first got him, I guess to show his dominance and mark his territory. I was using the pine litter and switched to Cat Attract. He LOVES it, and I have had no more 'accidents'.

Also, get a good enzyme-based cleaner for the carpet. I feel your pain!

[AirmensMom]

7. I was going to suggest calling a vet ...

but I see you have that covered. We had a cat who had urinary tract problems and peeing in the dining room was the first sign.

If nothing is wrong, it might be the litter. Our Sabrina started peeing on the sofa until we changed litter to Dr. Elsey's. Our cats actually like the covered box, but we have a very large one. When I tried to do the uncovered thing, Sashka thought it was a sand box and sat in there throwing the litter around.

Good luck. :hi:

[IndyOp]

8. Lorien has suggested Feliway Spray in the past (and Cat Attract) -

I don't know if Kestrel would recommend this, but there are vets that do sell it -- I study human and animal behavior and pheromones are real chemicals with real effects on behavior.

Feliway mimics the friendly pheromone scent a cat produces in its cheeks. Cats never rub their cheeks on or around their litter boxes. When you spray Feliway on or near a place(s) they urinated or sprayed the cat will get the message.

Feliway has been proven to be effective for:
* controlling urine spraying
* controlling urination outside of the litter box
* calming multi cat households
* ending or lessening fighting, reducing cat's anxiety, stress, anger
* deterring scratching of furniture

<http://www.24hourpetmeds.com/animal-behavior-feliway-cats-c-70_102.html>

[Orsino]

9. What did you change?

If there is no veterinary explanation (and this should be checked ASAP, especially with males), then the new behavior is a reaction to an environmental change, something different that might not even have registered with you as important.

[Eurobabe]

10. UPDATE, Daemon has no urinary issues, TG

Talked to the vet at length, are you sure that kestrel isn't my vet? I'm sure I saw a computer with DU on in the back room there, LOL.

Anyhow, basically everything you said was dead on. We changed back to their original litter, cats hate the scented stuff. Put out two boxes again. Got nature's miracle and saturated the carpet in the DR, put plastic shower curtain over the spot. AND got royally ripped off at the vet for a Feliway diffuser. $47!!! Then I go online and see it for $25 or so.

Oh well, $180 later, the cat checks out with a microchip, a distemper booster and a clean bill of health. So let's see how he does. the vet said he may be smelling the kitten and is still upset that he is a) gone or b)his scent is lingering.

[kestrel91316]

11. If you have any more problems, be sure to get that urinalysis!

I have been fooled a few times where I was absolutely sure we had a behavior problem, and lo and behold the poor cat had struvite crystals, or worse yet a full-blown infection.

Your vet didn't rip you off for the Feliway diffuser. We have to pay our distributor about what you can get them for on the net, and then we have to add our markup. I usually just sell the first one to the client, and tell them to check the internet for cheap refills. That stuff is expensive, but worth every cent IMHO.

[Eurobabe]

12. The vet did a urinalysis, no crystals, urine was clear

Well I coulda just ordered it off the internet but I have a spoilt child, needed it NOW.

Thanks for the help, you were spot on with what my vet said too...

[kestrel91316]

13. If the Feliway and environmental changes don't do the trick, ask

your vet about trying a course of Buspar (antianxiety med). Probably won't be necessary, though.