Expert: Karen Craft - 1/12/2011

Question
Hello Karen and thank you for your time! My roommate's female cat is ten yrs old. She has recently (past year or so) taken to peeing on the bath mat in my roommate's bathroom. Her litter box is in another bathroom and she uses it regularly. My roommate started keeping the bathroom door closed so now she pees outside the door... same spot of course. My roommate cleans it with recommended cleaners to remove the odor. There's no specific pattern, other than she doesn't like change - like my roommate going on vacation, guests visiting etc - but there hasn't been any change the past two days and she did it again. Sometimes a week or two will go by without her doing it. She started giving her extra attention (and I give her a lot as well) thinking maybe that was the message as my roommate is very busy. She cleans the litter box every day and her health seems fine (behavior normal, eating and elimination patterns normal.) We cannot figure out WHAT she is trying to say! Or maybe now it's just a habitual behavior. How do you get her to stop?

Answer
Hi Michelle,

This isn't too big a deal to take care of. First, have her 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.
Next get a good enzymatic cat urine cleaner and use it in the areas she has been urinating in. This will get rid of any urine odors she can smell but you can't.
You want to remove all temptations for her to come back to the areas she was using.  

Add another litter box in the area she is using. She is getting older so she may be getting confused a little. Or it may be a little to long a walk for her.

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 she 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.

Try some Feliway Comfort Zone. She might be a little anxious with all the different stuff going on.

I believe your vet will find that she has some urinary infection problem. If she 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