You are here:
- Home
- Animals/Pets
- Cats
- Cats
- Young male cat urinating in the house
Cats/Young male cat urinating in the house
Advertisement
Question
Hi
We have two cats the older male, castrated, 8 years old is house trained and always goes outside, not using a litter box. Since June we have a second male kitten who is now some 7/8 months old to begin with I used a litter box for him as I wanted to keep him in the house for 4 weeks to get him used to his new place, he was a kitten from a farm litter who was outside in a barn. The litter tray was no problem and after 1 month I moved it outside and after a couple of weeks more down to the soft sand patch in the garden. Since then he has used outside as does the other cat. He was castrated at the begining of November.
Occasionaly I hace found a jumper or other item of clothing of ours which was left on the floor smelling of cat pee but dismissed it as the occasional accident as it's not so easy for the cats to go out now the windows are closed in the winter.
However 3 days ago I let the cats in after they had been out all night as is their habit and literaly 4 minuites later I found huge puddle of urine still soaking into my Gilet on the floor which he had done while I was right to next to him packing a box of clothes away.
My husband is so mad he is threatening to rehome him and hasn't let him back into the house since!! I would like to find a soulution to this. I am tempted to think this is a call for affection, he certainly wasn't without the opertunity to use the outside area overnight, we live in the country and both cats have several acres of land to call a litter box.
Any help is welcome.
Claire,
I think that this may be a medical issue. Inappropriate elimination can be medical and/or behavioral and a vet must determine what is going on through blood work and urine tests. Once medical causes have been eliminated you can assume that the issue is a behavioral one. If the issue is behavioral I would urge you to read some of my previous answers on this subject as inappropriate elimination is an extremely common issue and there are several standard points to be aware of and strategies to change this unwanted behavior.
Related Articles
- FAQ - Help with litter box problem - home alone cat
- Cat Urinary Problems - Learn about Feline House Soiling Problems and cat urinary problems
- Toilet Training for Cats vs Kitty Litter- Guest Article by Lin Komula
- Feline Urination Question: Help - My Cat is Using the House as his Litter Box
- Michael - Reader Stories: Most Unforgettable Adopted Cat Contest
Answers by Expert:
Ali
Expertise
I am the proud guardian of 5 mixed breed cats ranging from 12 weeks to 13 years old and one purebred ragdoll. I have 20+ years experience working with mixed breed cats from a variety of different situations. I have fostered cats/kittens with special needs/behavioral issues. I have rescued/rehabilitated/re-homed a variety of stray/abused cats. I can offer advice on managing feral cat colonies, rehabilitating strays and finding them forever homes. I can help you to determine whether a cat is stray or feral, there IS a significant difference. Improperly introducing a new cat/kitten can result in aggression between newly introduced cats because cats are territorial by nature and they don't like sudden changes in their environment. To learn more about a peaceful way to introduce a new cat into a home with other cats please check out my previous answers on this subject. Proper nutrition for cats can be confusing, I recommend checking out catinfo.org which was created by a veterinarian (Dr. Lisa Pierson) who takes a common sense approach to explaining feline nutrition. Cat behavior and instincts are different from those of humans, I can help you understand your cat's needs so that you can meet them adequately and have a balanced, psychologically and physically sound kitty. Cats vary in personality, energy level and intelligence, different approaches may be required to achieve results in terms of training and interaction with your feline companion. An intelligent, high energy cat must be kept busy or they will make their own fun. I am NOT a licensed veterinarian and I can't offer medical advice. If your cat is ill/injured my advice is always the same: get prompt medical treatment provided by a veterinarian. If finances are an issue I will try to find resources in your area that can help with medical costs or make other choices to ensure the welfare of your cat.
Experience
I have fostered feral and stray cats, rehabilitated and homed cats that many people recommended euthanasia for. I am willing to make an effort to do the research and ask questions because I care enough to find solutions to behavioral problems rather than giving up. I have an interest in the use of alternative therapies to help provide the best possible care for all cats and I can say in all honesty that I've seen some incredible things happen for some incredible cats and their human caregivers when the right alternative therapeutic modality is used by a qualified veterinarian with expertise and experience in the field.
Education/Credentials
I've earned my diploma as a veterinary assistant with honors.
©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.