Expert: Dear Tabbi - 3/15/2009

Question
my daughter has a 8 month kitten uses litter tray but has started to wee on her bed can you please help at wits end thank you

Answer
Fiona,

There could be a number of causes. A common one is that the kitten has a urinary tract infection. It is painful when the cat pees and it will associate that pain with the litterbox and go elsewhere. If that is the problem then the cat needs to go to the vet for antibiotics to clear it up.

The kitten may be upset or stressed about something or with somebody and that could be why it is peeing on the bed. Usually when a cat pees on one person's personal property (like the bed), it is that person that the cat is upset with.

It could be that the litterbox is too far away and the cat has a hard time holding it. Try moving a litter box in your daughter's bedroom temporarily to see if that solves the problem. If he uses it in there then you know that the issue is where the litterbox is located, or possibly the cat gets locked by accident in your daughter's room.

The litterbox may be too much out in the open where it is now. Some cats prefer privacy. And there may be too much traffic by the current location for the cat to be comfortable. Try a larger litterbox with deeper litter. Sometimes that will help.

Since I cannot put all the information in this reply, I am including some links to good articles about improper elimination. Please read them. They will have good information that you should find helpful in dealing with the kitten's behavior.
(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

http://www.apbc.org.uk/article10.htm

AND,

here is a 'recipe' for cat urine odor removal:

1 quart of 3% hydrogen peroxide
1/4 cup baking soda
1 teaspoon of liquid soap

(3% hydrogen peroxide can be bought at most grocery and drug stores in pint and quart bottles).

Gently mix all ingredients in a non-metal container. Do not mix or shake vigorously!

The mixture is best used when fresh but can be stored. Do not keep mixture in an airtight container.  Have a VERY loose lid as baking soda and hydrogen peroxide when mixed together will release oxygen and an airtight container will explode. You can mix and keep it in large spray bottle (Home Depot, etc.) but a plastic liter or 2-liter soda bottle works just a well.

Always test for color-fastness. Hydrogen peroxide is a bleaching agent in stronger concentrations and can lighten materials that are not color-fast.

CLOTHING, COMFORTERS, AND BEDDING:

Put the items in the washing machine and pour in enough of the recipe to cover thoroughly. This might take a few gallons depending on the size of the load. Soak for at least 24 hours. Rinse and rewash using normal washing detergent. If any of the odor is still present, soak again for 24 hours, rinse and rewash.

A small area on a comforter can be spot treated by saturating the area thoroughly, letting it dry for 24 hours, then washing the comforter normally in the washer with detergent. Always check for color-fastness before using.

MATTRESSES, SOFAS, PILLOWS

For mattresses you must saturate the spot thoroughly to get deep down into the padding and springs to neutralize the urine. If the cat has urinated alot in one spot, the mattress can be soiled all the way to the other side! Let the area dry for 24-48 hours without bedding then reapply if necessary.

For sofas the same directions as above apply but always check for color-fastness in a hidden area before using. Cotton is used in alot of upholstery fabrics and is easily bleached. If your sofa pillow cushion covers can be unzipped and taken off (must be color-fast and washable) you can put them in the washing machine. See How to Remove from Clothing, Comforters and Bedding for instructions.

I hope this helps.

Tabbi