How to Stop Cats from Going All Over...

Updated on November 15, 2008
B.S. asks from Saint Paul, MN
8 answers

I have two cats-one older one that is scared of the wind, and one younger one who is scared of NOTHING. Here's the problem: One of them (or both?) has been peeing on any pile of clothing anywhere on the floor, and one or both of them has been pooping in the laundry room next to the litter box, or near it, but not in it. (Well, sometimes in it) I think the peeing is the older one who is scared to come downstairs when our 2 yr old is awake, but both things just started, and we've tried changing littlers, we clean both boxes daily, tried some products-to no avail. Does anyone know of a spray or repellent I can spray in the rooms it happens in? or any other tricks that might help? My husband is ready to get rid of them! I can't let it happen!

Thanks

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H.W.

answers from Bismarck on

I know you've gotten responses concerning urinary infections, but I too have had these problems with my cats and wanted to suggest again that you have them checked. My oldest cat had chronic problems with kidney stones. Whenever he would get them, he would pee on my STOVE!!! Imagine my horror at seeing that! Well, when we did finally figure out that it was a health problem, we had him on antibiotics and got the stones cleared up. After that, I always fed him cat food that was for urinary tract health and it helped immensely. The Wal-Mart brand "Special Kitty" worked great and was affordable. My vet also said that giving him a tablespoon or two of canned cat-food each day will help to. Has something to do with the acidity. Good luck.

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T.L.

answers from Minneapolis on

Hi B.
Is it possable for you to put a litter box upstairs for your older cat. I use OUT to get the smell out of the floor it works very well. You can get it at wal-mart in the pet section. Good Luck T.

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C.G.

answers from Davenport on

There is a product called Nature's Miricle. It helps get the smell out so the pets will stop going in the same place. I would consider talking to the vet about the older cat. Sometimes older cats have this problem when they are sick, especially if it has never been a problem before.

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C.L.

answers from Minneapolis on

Hi B.,
Have you recently changed their food? Was this happening long before you changed litter brands? Cats will do that if you change something and they don't like it. Also, it is possible that they have a urinary track infection (UTI). My cat had one last year, but I got him in immediately, since I hadn't changed anything, I knew there was a health problem. A month on a strict diet of some special bag of food (expensive) for him and some pills took care of it and haven't had a problem since.

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A.G.

answers from Minneapolis on

Your older cat may have a urinary tract infection if he's going outside the box, sometimes when you change litter, they may not like it and then go elsewhere. They say you should have 1 extra box for how many cats, always keep them clean. If the older cat is stressed with your 2 year old, you may need to put another box upstairs where their going. To get the urine smell out, shampoo your carpets and use Natures Miracle, it really works. Hope this helps.

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C.T.

answers from Milwaukee on

I have the same problem and have tried many different things too. All though I haven't had much luck, but maybe they will work for you.

I read an article that said cats spray when they become depressed or anxiety-ridden because of change. And believe it or not they have an anti-anxiety medication for cats in a cream form that you rub into the inside of their ear once a day. I haven't talked to my vet about this yet.

Are your cats neutered/spayed? That is supposed to eliminate their desire to spray outside of the litter box.

Apparently, cats HATE walking on aluminum foil. We have 2 cats who will stay 3 feet away from it, but one cat who will even sleep on it. You could try putting the foil around the sides of the litter box where he is pooping.

Cats don't like the smell of cirtus either. I've read that you should put half a lemon in the area where they are spraying or try some citrus scented spray. The lemon thing works pretty well, but it is a major hassle to keep buying and replacing the lemons, especially if it is happening in a lot of areas of the home. I haven't been able to find cirus-scented Febreeze or carpet cleaner though. If you do let me know!

I found a cat repellent spray. It keeps the cats away from the area because they hate the smell, but humans can smell it too, and it is disgusting. And my cat just ended up getting used to the smell.

I think keeping a litter box upstairs is worth trying, and other than keeping your cat confined to one area, there's not much else you can do. Hope some of these ideas work for your kitties!!

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M.C.

answers from Minneapolis on

Your cat(s) don't have a urinary tract infection do they? My older cat who's about 13 yrs. was peeing on the floor in a certain spot and I noticed she was just sitting there in an odd way and she had drips of blood. She had an infection. It came back a time after that and it was the same thing. I used a carpet cleaner from Petco and shampooed the rugs and it took several attempts to get the smell out. I'd her the cat checked out for an infection. Keep an eye on if the cat is drinking a lot of water the vet may ask.

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K.D.

answers from Milwaukee on

We have a 16 yr. old cat that had gotten stressed out after a visit from my sister's dog! She also was soiling outside of her litter box and we basically had to cut-up 1/3 of our carpeting in our living room where she wet. My advise would be to make sure you have enough litter boxes (one on each level of your home) and make sure (it sounds strange) that the cat has an, "escape route" where if startled; they can easily run away. We re-arranged out situation, and it has totally resolved itself. Try making the cat's environment as stress-free as possible and offer a quiet place for the litter box. Hope all goes well.

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