Stopping cats from doing their business on the floor

[FortyTwo]

This is getting absolutely ridiculous.

Our one cat (and occasionally one of the other ones) is recklessly peeing and pooping on the floor in my room. It's been going on for months now, if not years (we didn't notice it until months ago, or it didn't get as bad, at least). We put a litter box right in the area where she's been doing it and she just pees and poops near the litter box instead. I've had to clean up both pee (on the television!) and poop in the last hour or so. When I catch the cat in the act I end up chasing her around the house spraying her but that's just temporary discipline and probably a bad idea in the first place because she thinks everything is a game.

Earlier my mother told me she was seriously considering giving the cat away. She loves the cats very much, so to even hear her suggest it shows the severity of the situation. Other than keeping them out of the room (the door is broken and they'll find a way, believe me) how can this be remedied?

Thanks!

 

[silva]

How ironic- Mitzi just peed right in front of me. I only noticed because of her pawing the coffee table. With her, I know it's time for another urine check. She is verry prone to urinary infections, which clear up with one, sometimes two courses of antibiotics.

You don't mention having her checked? Does she do it on things on the floor? My other cat will let me know how bad it is to let clothes or towels stay on the floor too long!
Since it's both pee and poop is their litter box high sided? Could the cat have arthritis? Mitzi does in her back,and you'd never notice by watching her- she can jump just fine.I had her checked for constipation and they did an X ray which found the inflammation in her spine. She now has a low long box she likes much better.

If she's going in the same area it's only because it's so hard to get the odor out. Try soaking with vinegar and water, sucking it up with wet vac or towels, then liberally spray on a mix of hydrogen peroxide and baking soda. Blot, and let dry.

Get a urine sample! I lock mine in a bathroom with a box incased in a clear plastic bag. You just need a couple tablespoons, but it has to be fresh-I think no more than 12 hours, less if hot.

If you give away the cat it won't solve anything and will cause the cat more problems.

 

[thefadedone]

Sounds like you have more than one cat? Do you have more than one litterbox for them? Are there other litterboxes around the house besides in your room?

 

[KLS52]

I read somewhere you are supposed to have one litter box per cat then one additional. I have three boxes for my two cats, plus one in the garage for times when Cybil hangs out down there.
Wish I had some sound advice...my son's cats pretty much destroyed my basement with their peeing outside of the box.

 

[FortyTwo]

I hear you about the litter boxes - we have two, and one of them is the one in my room. It was enough to convince my mother to get the second one.

I believe we took her in for it before and she's totally normal and healthy, unless I'm remembering something wrong.

Another one of our cats does have a stress bladder problem or something like that, and she's the one who sometimes also pees on the floor - when she does that, it's not nearly as maddening because it can't really be helped.

They're all medically taken care of - what I need is some kind of deterrent.

 

[Pickle Juice]

How many different kinds of litter have you tried? I've known cats with litter allergies. If you haven't tried every litter available to see if that makes a difference you probably should. Also, is the box enclosed? Remove any lids or covers if it is. Do you scoop religiously? Does the other kitty also use the box in your room?

Sometimes cats do this to communicate. I used to care for a pair of little old sisters who behaved beautifully til their mom went on a trip. Then they would poop everywhere but the litter boxes, to show their disapproval. As they got to know me they got a little better, but it was a real protest. If you chasing your kitty around is something she enjoys she might be doing this because she wants more play time. Try chasing her around when she hasn't pooped on the floor, and then maybe she won't have to resort to pooping to get your attention.

 

[FortyTwo]

Thanks for the suggestions. Apparently my mother buys a different kind of litter practically every time. She hasn't given the cats much of an opportunity to express their preference but I don't control what she buys and don't really have the opportunity to be picky with her.

We've just removed the lid of the involved litter box.

 

[Ansciess]

Earlier my mother told me she was seriously considering giving the cat away.

But who will take a cat who pees on the floor?

My suggestion is that your mom be serious and systematic about this. First removing medical causes - getting a thorough workup from the vet, and then removing behavioral causes - things like getting a consistent litter, thoroughly cleaning the smell off your floor or getting a door that closes, and so on. If you're chasing her and it's not fun, then you're stressing her out more and probably she'll go out of the box more, having anxiety about peeing.

I was once given a cat who the owner was about to put down because she peed and pooped out of the box. Turns out she didn't do that at my place because I didn't have young kids and dogs hassling her and making her afraid to use the box. Generally cats are clean and don't want to go out of the box, and this is a problem that CAN be corrected, but you and your mom will have to be serious about correcting it, even if it's a hassle.

 

[Freesia]

I need to litter train Gypsy. Will be interesting. I think it may go ok because she already likes using plants, I just need her to think the litterbox is a flat planter box. I remember when we first litter trained Hobbes we used dirt instead of litter... might get a bit messy though and encourage them to use potplants later...

 

[FortyTwo]

It might have something to do with stress. The little cat (who urinates and defecates everywhere) is constantly harassing and stalking one of the other cats. I don't know how this would cause stress for her, but I guess it might?

 

[Ansciess]

If she's really unhappy having the other cat in her space, it might. Cats are territorial. There are things you can do to make more separation between them and increase the harmony a bit though. I probably would get yet another litter box, and make sure there are plenty of desirable places to sit, and feed them separately and so on. If they are doing o.k. together, reward that with treats. If you are seeing any issues, gently separate them. No yelling or chasing. Cats are very sensitive beings and stressing them out only increases their undesirable behaviors.

Remember also that it may be a hassle to deal with all this now, but if things calm down you can be less vigilant.

 

[FortyTwo]

Thank you for all the advice, guys. I'll have to talk this all over with my mother in the morning, and I'll have to find a way that doesn't sound condescending because that's probably how she'll take it. I know her pretty well.

I want this to stop and I want my companion animals to be comfortable, so I'll see what I can do.

 

[Ansciess]

Perhaps your mom would be less defensive if you said that you were reading some articles about litter problems and learning about some things to try... A quick search turns up many sources...

http://catnet.stanford.edu/articles/litterbox.html
http://www.cat-world.com.au/inappropriate-urination-in-cats
http://www.barncatbuddies.org/Documents/Inappropriate Urination Article.pdf
http://www.catbegood.com/cat-behavior/litter-box-problems/

 

[Freesia]

I have a lot of problems with Gypsy. She has no sense of boundaries and is always enthusiastically approaching Hobbes and sometimes she plays with his tail. It isnt aggressive, just a sort of overfamiliarity and sort of boundary pushing. I have to seperate them during mealtimes, he just doesnt like being within a few metres of her. She is always trying to get into bed with the dog too.

 

[Pickle Juice]

I have a lot of problems with Gypsy. She has no sense of boundaries and is always enthusiastically approaching Hobbes and sometimes she plays with his tail. It isnt aggressive, just a sort of overfamiliarity and sort of boundary pushing. I have to seperate them during mealtimes, he just doesnt like being within a few metres of her. She is always trying to get into bed with the dog too.

Does the dog object? I wouldn't really call this a boundary issue. She sounds like she is very affectionate and wants contact and interaction. If it is safe, it is always better to let the animals work this out amongst themselves, unless you fear the dog would seriously injure her.

I had a cat who adored my dogs. He was constantly draping himself all over them while they napped, and they didn't mind in the least. I think he thought he was a dog. He certainly was a major love bug.

 

[Freesia]

She is very affectionate but her play can sometimes bother them. When she was a kitten she would approach Holly, which Holly liked, but then she would start boxing Holly's ears with her paws and I would have to escort her away from Holly, she seemed to think Holls ears were toys. And she is a boundary pusher sometimes, she hangs around Hobbes while he is eating and pushes her head in front of his to get his food. Though most of the time she hangs around him like an admiring groupie.

Its not really that she means to push boundaries, it is like she has this belief that the world and everything in it was created just for her to play with, or eat, or whatever she wants, and when it doesnt work out that way she seems very confused.

 

[FortyTwo]

I talked to my mother and she says she will call the vet for advice/a potential appointment. To my knowledge the cat hasn't peed or pooped anywhere since we took off the top of the litter box. I'll keep this updated, even though it's kind-of silly.