Cat Training and Behavior (Domestic and Feral)/Cat peeing on fireplace mantle

Advertisement

Expert: Dear Tabbi - 2/1/2009


Question
Hi, I know it's common for cats to pee on piles of clothes, bath rugs, etc., but the fireplace mantle?!  My 5 year-old male pees on a granite mantle that is at the bottom of the electric fireplace but about a foot off the ground.  He jumps up and urinates right in the middle of the slab of polished stone.  Do you have any idea what this means behavior-wise?  Thanks.

Answer
Ali,

The use of a granite mantle is not a normal 'abnormal' behavior. That is a strange one, and not one I have ever heard of.

It could be a medical issue or a behavioral issue. It's always good to rule out a medical problem first before dealing with it as a behavioral one.

Your cat could have a kidney infection, urinary tract infection, or urinary crystals to name some common reasons for his behavior. If he has urinary crystals they are very painful and cats associate that pain with the litterbox and go elsewhere. If not treated in time they can cause a complete blockage and that is always fatal to male cats. Crystals are usually caused by too much fish or fish products. It is too high in magnesium. Or by low grade 'bargain brand' dry cat food that is too high in ash. They can also be reoccurring.

As far as behavior it could be a number of things and sometimes you have to be a detective to find out what it is.
Is his litterbox out in the open? Some cats are more 'modest' than others and prefer a more hidden place to use the litterbox (like behind the couch). Try moving the litterbox.
He is possibly reacting to a female in heat in the neighborhood that he can smell (even though he is fixed).
He may be upset at you or in general and that is how he is telling you about it. Did someone move in or out of the house? Did you get a new pet? Did you leave him by himself for a day or two? Have you been paying less attention to him than before? Not playing with him as much? These are common reasons that provoke his type of behavior.

I am including a some links to good articles that you may find helpful on the subject of improper elimination:
(copy and paste, or type, the whole links into your address bar)

http://cats.about.com/cs/behavioralissues/a/outsidebox_two.htm

http://www.geocities.com/heartland/pointe/9352/litterboxhelp.html

Tabbi

Cat Training and Behavior (Domestic and Feral)

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

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).

Education/Credentials
***********

Awards and Honors
* One of the top 50 Experts Of 2008 *

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.