Expert: Karen Craft - 8/8/2008

Question
My cat is about 2 yrs old. She had a litter of kittens about 5 months ago. Just about the time the kittens were done weaning she started spraying and urinating in the house. I figured she was going into heat again although she wasn't crying or rolling around on the floor. About a month later we had her spayed. It's been 6-8 weeks since her spay and she is still spraying and urinating around the house. She'll go in the heater vents, sofa, bed, counter, any damp towels that get left on the floor, bath mat and carpet.
  Now a couple of the kittens are going in those places too. I suspect they just smell the urine and think it's an approved litter box. When I catch one I bring them to the litter box and praise them when they use it. I have several litter boxes and clean them several times a day. I clean everything as well as I can when I find anywhere that they have been peeing, but it just doesn't stop.
   I thought getting her fixed would stop it. She does not seem to exhibit any signs of a urinary tract infection.
My husband wants the cat out but I love her and wouldn't dream of getting rid of her. (maybe I could send my husband to the shelter since he doesn't help with the dishes).
  I have tried feliway and several other no mark products. As determined as I am to solve this I am really running out of ideas. The house is starting to smell and I just can't have this. Please help, I'll try anything.

Answer
Hi Jen,

The first thing i would do is have the vet check her out. cats usually don't change their litter box habits unless something is wrong with them. If she gets a clean bill of health here are some other things to do. Get a really good enzymatic cat urine cleaner. Use this on the areas she and the kits are using. This will remove temptation to go back and use those areas.

Try this stuff;
http://www.preciouscat.com/precious-attract-p-5.html
You can get it at stores like Pet Smart.

Change the type of litter box you are using. There might be something about it she doesn't like. She may need a lower box. Some cats as they get older sometimes have a harder time getting in and out of a high box.

Try these different tips and see how they work. I think one of them will take care of your problem. Good luck.

Ciao, Karen