Cat Training and Behavior (Domestic and Feral)/cats urinating on furniture

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Expert: Dear Tabbi - 8/22/2008


Question
I have 2 male, neutered cats (ages 5 & 6 years). They have taken a liking to peeing on an old futon (which has a washable cover) for some time. But, just recently have been peeing on my new sofa and chair. I have cleaned and cleaned it, tried odor eliminators, spray cat deterrent products, pepper, a carpet runner with the pokie-side up, covering the sofa & chair with aluminum foil, pans, etc....  HELP.....I don't know what else to do. My hubby is ready for me to get rid of the cats. How can I get them to stop??? I just last night tried the mothballs, which as of this am were working, but worried about them eating them.  Please advise ?????

Answer
Chris,

No..not mothballs!

I would take the cats to the vet for a checkup. It sounds as if they may have a urinary tract infection or urinary crystals. Both are painful and cats associate that pain with the litterbox so they go elsewhere. If not caught in time, and they cause a complete blockage, it is usually fatal to male cats.

One of the most common feline responses to stress is inappropriate elimination. The bladder is the cat’s stress target. Your cats may be upset by some changes in the home or something else is upsetting them.  

I would rule out a medical issue causing their behavior before treating it as a behavioral problem.

Tabbi

Cat Training and Behavior (Domestic and Feral)

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Dear Tabbi

Expertise

My expertise is in helping people understand their cat (or cats) and their behavior. Questions are welcome even if you don't have a cat....just a question about them. Hopefully my experience, suggestions, and comments will be of help to you...and your cat (or cats). Looking through my past responses to questions will give you additional information and/or answers too. Domestic Cats = cats (no matter what breed) who are tame or not wild, or abandoned cats who were pets that became wild, but can be tamed again. Ferals = cats who are born with one or more parents who were wild stray cats. They usually have had no interactions with people. They have an inbred distrust of humans and are difficult to socialize. They are skittish, hide, and are afraid of people. They take a lot of time and patience to work with them. A lot of kittens from shelters had a feral parent.

Experience

Since I was a child, over 45 years, I have been owned by a LOT of cats and kittens of almost every temperament, behavior, and personality. I have had experience with neurotic, disabled (including blind), stray, and 'problem child' cats and kittens. (A few normal cats too!) Plus all the things a lifetime of owning cats and research has taught me. I also have experience in feral cat behavior (which is different from domestic cats), and some experience with feral colonies that includes colony feeding and feral cat TNR (trap/neuter/release).

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