Expert: Karen Craft - 5/3/2010

Question
Hi Karen! I have a male cat who is about one years old and he is neutered. Lately, it's come to my attention that he has been peeing on the futon I use in place of a couch in the living room. I don't understand why he's doing this and I'd like some insight. He has apparently been doing it frequently and at first, I thought I must be accidentally spilling glasses of water somehow because a t-shirt I left there once was completely soaked through. Because he never shows any interest in the futon otherwise, I just figured sitting down in the morning and realizing that the area beneath me is wet COULDN'T be connected to him, but today cinched it as I've cleared the area due to the incidents and have been constantly making sure it was dry for the past few days only to discover a wet patch this morning. And now I can't deny that it DOES smell like urine since my sinuses have cleared. I know that in the past, he'd show his disapproval of something by urinating (as was the case when we let another cat stay with us briefly)...I suppose that was his way of marking his territory to the other cat and showing us he didn't appreciate the invasion/replacement, but he always makes it a point to do it in front of us. His litter box is a mere 10 feet away from where the futon is. It's kept clean. And he doesn't appear to be upset with either me or my fiance because he has been trailing us around and meowing happily as opposed to sulking and glowering as in past episodes. I'm just really frustrated because one of the main things I'm worried about as far as having a cat is the whole soiling thing and I'm scared that if I don't figure out why he's doing it, he may switch to destroying something that isn't as easy to toss out and replace. Any advice is appreciated.

Answer
Hi Tarlin,

This isn't too big a deal to take care of. First, have him get a check up from your vet. 9 out of 10 times when a cat's litter box habits change it is because they are sick. Is he neutered? If he isn't having him done will help.

Next get a good enzymatic cat urine cleaner and use it in the areas he has been urinating in. This will get rid of any urine odors he can smell but you can't.
You want to remove all temptations for him to come back to the areas he was using.  

Get a different type of litter pan. I recommend this one.
http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=petmate+giant+litter+pan&rls=com.micros...
Cats love the big size. And they seem to use it even if they have problems like yours.

Try changing to a different type of litter. Use one type in one box and another in the another. See which he likes best. Try this stuff.
http://www.preciouscat.com/attract-litter-additivebronly-available-through-your-...
Pet Smart carries it. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. And if it doesn't, it has a money back guarantee.

I believe your vet will find that he has some urinary infection problem. If he does he might push a special science diet that you would get from him. Before you buy that read this. http://catinfo.org/feline_urinary_tract_health.htm

These suggestions should take care of your problem. If they don't, write back and there are a few things that you can try further. Good luck.

Ciao, Karen