Change in toileting habits

[Chiselh]

Sometime last year my cat, approx 5 yrs old, just stopped using his litter tray & started peeing by our front door, in the hallway. He is neutered and was definitely not spraying, so we took him to the vet, who checked him over thoroughly...costing a small fortune here in UK...and said he definitely had no bladder infection/problem. We wondered if another can may have snuck in one day & used it, so we stripped it apart (it is an enclosed litter box), cleaned it with disinfectant & put fresh litter in...and he's never used it at all!! We spoke to a lady who deals alot with cats 'n their problems & she said to let him roam at night in case he was being bullied thru the daytime, and he seems happier being out at night & home during the day but it just seems we're running around living our lives according to his whims & fancies!! We are hoping to start a family soon, and I need to sort this out b4 any babies arrive or the cat's going 2 a shelter! His bond with my husband is still as close as ever, although he does seem to be ignoring me alot lately??? Although he was following me around like a pum at one stage, he just seems to be so unpredictable! I don't think he's peeing as frequently at the front door at the moment, but can't be sure as I have dark carpets & know all about it when the smell hits me!!

Dumb struck!! England.

[caro_]

Sounds like he feels threatened by something. My old cat did this for a while - I think another cat got in through the catflap and sprayed and this made Garfield do the same. Go back to the vet and buy some odour eliminator. Put it down and that should stop him. Also if it is in the same place put newspaper down.

If you are thinking of having a baby then you have at least 15 months from today before your baby can get about by itself so don't worry about it just yet. You need to be more concerned about touching cat litter, faeces or anything else like that (maybe even feeding bowls cos cats do lick themselves) whilst you are prgnant as these can cause damage to your baby if ingested by you.

My husband did all that stuff when I was pregnant - good excuse!

[Chiselh]

Thanks for the advice, but we've spent a fortune on all the odour neutralisers & carpet cleaning stuff! Thankfully my husband is very aware of the risks involved in pregnancy (not pregnant yet) and kitty litter so he does all the "dirty work"! We thought he was being bullied outdoors hence he now goes out at night, when less people about to bully him, will put newspaper down, if anything it'll help me spot the event! I think we've tried this b4 & if he wants to go he'll go!

Yet when we've closed him off from the hallway he doesn't pee in the lounge, unless he's hidden it well!

Well hopefully he'll stop soon!

[drgnrdr]

I would start over after you have cleaned with a cleaner that has an ACTIVE "enzyme" Like Natures Miracle, or something like it, it doesn't just neutralize odor it takes that smell out, if you have used harsh chemicals on this already, it will kill the little enzymes trying to go to work for you, you'll have to add more and more till it gets the smell out, put an aversive in the spot to keep them away, a box or carpet runner turned upside down spikey side up so they don't walk back over to the area, while you retrain them...check here for tips and such...

http://www.catsinternational.org/

click on articles and read about Housesoiling articles.

Good luck...and welcome to AB.

[buzzfresh101]

My cat has been doing the same thing for a few months now by the back door, where the cat flap is. We know that next door's cat keeps coming in and eating our cat's food but we've tried everything to stop it. Our cat is now peeing by the back door all the time. Each time we clean it up, he does it again. He's protect the entrance to his home.

caro_'s advice about being threatened sounds about right. I don't feel that it's his fault though, I wouldn't punish him for trying to protect what is his. I thing a solution can be found without the need to rehome him.

[natalie_1982]

I think he may be scraed of something too, my cat does the opposite - usually pees outside but after he has had a fight he will toilet in his litter tray for a few days until he has the nerve to go back out again.

[Ava77]

I agree, your cat sounds threatened by something. If your cat is weeing anywhere he shouldn't, feed him on that spot for a few days - that should stop him, as they won't go to the toilet where they eat.