Have to stop cat from peeing

I've got a problem. My wife's cat won't stop peeing on everything. Cheryl loves this cat more than anything (except Gracie, and I think I'm close behind the cat). Myself, I don't really like it. Anyway, after cleaning out my baseball bag, throwing out the dog's mat, and cleaning the bed sheets, all this week, we're at our witts end. She actually told me that if she came back from her parent's, and SweetPea was gone, she'd understand. Of course, she started crying too. I don't really like the cat. But I can't do that to Cheryl. I've vowed to do whatever it takes to solve this (including cutting cat holes in the preemie diapers!). So, anyone have any advice? We've taken her to the vet, and we though she was sick, but it has become apparent she isn't (and the vet agrees). Please help before I drop her off at a rescue (I think Cheryl thought I would take her for the "big sleep", but I know how much Cheryl loves her, and I would make sure she goes somewhere that she will be loved and cared for). Especially with a new baby, we can't go on like this.

You may have already tried all this, but here goes anyway. :)

Have you tried different litter?
have you tried a different litter box?
hav you tried putting the litter box in a different location?
Is her box in a quite spot (most cats hate an audience)

She could also be "spite" peeing (she maybe is having a hard time adjusting to baby?) or maybe she doesn't like you (did you come after the cat?)
If it's spite you have to find out why (if it's you, you have to make friends with her, kiss her furry butt if you have to!!) If it's the baby, you both have to make sure you give her lots of attention and treats help too.

If all else fails, you may want to try caging her, in a small enough cage, with a litter box in it (so she has no choice but to use the litter box.

I hope this works out for all of you, As I know how difficult this can be when you have an infant to care for.

Please keep us posted, and I'm sure we will keep the suggestions coming ;)

Please help before I drop her off at a rescue

Do you think a rescue will take a cat peeing all over, or that someone else will want her? Rescues are all full - with huge numbers of cats who dont' pee and still can't get homes.

You say you don't like this cat at all. You might, even without meaning to, be stressing and frightening her. Stressed cats often avoid the litterbox. They pee all over to spread their scent around and try and comfort themselves.

Can you try playing with her, petting her, and being nice to her? Who knows, you may get to like her.

There are several other threads that are full of info that will help.

One more litter box than # of cats.
Black light to find all of the spots in the house.
Purchase enzyme cleaner to eliminate all the smells.

I've got a problem. My wife's cat won't stop peeing on everything. Cheryl loves this cat more than anything (except Gracie, and I think I'm close behind the cat). Myself, I don't really like it. Anyway, after cleaning out my baseball bag, throwing out the dog's mat, and cleaning the bed sheets, all this week, we're at our witts end. She actually told me that if she came back from her parent's, and SweetPea was gone, she'd understand. Of course, she started crying too. I don't really like the cat. But I can't do that to Cheryl. I've vowed to do whatever it takes to solve this (including cutting cat holes in the preemie diapers!). So, anyone have any advice? We've taken her to the vet, and we though she was sick, but it has become apparent she isn't (and the vet agrees). Please help before I drop her off at a rescue (I think Cheryl thought I would take her for the "big sleep", but I know how much Cheryl loves her, and I would make sure she goes somewhere that she will be loved and cared for). Especially with a new baby, we can't go on like this.

Schwinn, Bless your heart for trying to find a solution; your love for your wife is very apparent. Cheryl's love for you must be very strong for her to be willing to let you get rid of kitty,, who she clearly loves so much!

I can't remember, but did this just start with the new baby? Is it possible the kiddy is jealous and needs more attention? Also, with a new baby, maybe kitty is picking up on the smell of amonia from the diapers. Maybe it's trying to mark it's territory because of that, I don't know, but it's worth a try, if that's the case, maybe you can make sure all dirty diapers are taken outside to the garbage can rather than inside.

I'm sure between the love in that house, you'll find it in you to come to like kitty, and between you and Cheryl work to find a solution. Good luck, keep us updated. {{{Hugs to family and kitty}}}

No, I realize that a rescue won't be the best solution, but it is a better solution that taking her to the vet. It's become such a problem that things have to change.

We think it is definitely a behavioural thing. Before I came along, the cats had the run of the house. I'm not a cat person. I did not like the cat walking on my head, jumping on counters, shelves, etc. At first, we thought maybe it was me she had an issue with, because, according to my wife, it didn't happen until I came along (I usually get blamed for everything :rolleyes: ). I've tried being friendly with her, but then I find something else she peed on, and, well, I have issues with her. It does seem to have gotten worse since the dog and baby came along, but she seems to sometimes pee on things that aren't really associated with any of the three of us that have invaded her kingdom. My wife said that if she went somewhere, she'd need to go somewhere where she'd be the centre of attention. That being said, as far as I'm concerned, that is not an option, not right now. She'd be devastated, and I couldn't let her do that.

She has always been the centre of Cheryl's attention,and she sits on Cheryl's lap when she's feeding Gracie. She mostly ignores the dog, and doesn't seem to be stressed. She'll walk right under the dog and not blink. It seems to be more of a spite thing. I've learned to keep all my bags closed, and we'll have to be a little more diligent in putting the clothes away. The dog mat, that's a little tougher. Is there some spray that will keep the cat off of the mat, that won't aggravate the dog? (She doesn't have a problem sleeping on the cat urine :yuck: )

I really appreciate everyone's advice, and I'm going to make more of an effort to be nice to the little...well, you know. :)

I would have said all the things that have already been said and it does sound behavioural - sounds like the kitty is really stressed. So much change in her life for one thing! Have you tried Feliway or Rescue Remedy? And never use Javex to clean the area she urinated on - use something else that has no amonia. And make sure she has one litter box plus one. And give her lots of TLC!! (cats know when ppl do not like them!!)

Animals are not spiteful, and cats may not appear to be stressed, but are anyway. Cats virtually never stop using the litterbox without a reason, although the reason may be obscure to us!

I did not like the cat walking on my head, jumping on counters, shelves, etc
What did you (or do you) do when she does these things?

New person (who doesn't like her) new dog, new baby...I know few cats who would not be stressed by this. I would hate to think of her being killed for something that's not her fault.:(

Yes Schwinn,cats are EXTREEMLY sensitive to changes in their lives and especially to someone who is negative towards them.
We had visitors for one week and one of my cats(don't know which one!)peed and pooped on our bed,once the visitors were gone,they were fine.
Cats are no different than dogs,they need love and reassurance...they are animals and do not do things to spite anyone,they are just showing that they are not happy and you are not helping :sad:
I know if anyone,for any reason would "get rid of"any of my cats(not that anyone could do that!!)I would never forgive this person..
So,try to be kind to this kitty,understand she is stressed and unhappy,no different from the way your dog would feel,if he knew he was not wanted.

Schwinn,I also wanted to confess,I have a cat(rocky)who although he is neutered,sprays on occasion,I never leave bags on the floor,just in case.
If you do not like cats,nothing in the world will change that,but if you get that out of your mind for a while,look at the cat as the innocent animal she is,one needing love,just like your doggie,maybe things will change.
An animal is an animal,whether it's a dog,cat or bird,it needs to feel it's loved :love:

schwinn,

Why don't you take the opportunity to bond with sweet pea while your wife is out of town. Go get a bag of Temptations and spend a quiet half hour with her alone( no baby, no dog). Try to get in 15 minutes of this reassurance time with her every day and see what happens. I have tried this with a couple of my kitties who have been overwhelmed by changes in the house, and it seems to work.

A co-worker of mine, just moved her boyfriend in, and her cat Billy, HATES him, and has started peeing and pooing all over the house, which makes her boyfriend so angry and hate him even more which makes Billy Pee and Poo more!!
It's a vicious circle, and someone has to break it, and you being the more intelligent being, has to be the one.

The cat knows if you hate it, and nothing you do will change that, being nice without meaning it, won't fool the cat, ,they are smarter then you think :evil:

Why don't you make an honest effort to "like" sweetpea, try to focus on her good qualities, and go from there.

I must confess, when we first met, I did have a tendancy to just shove the cat off of me. Now, I tend to be much nicer (both because of the way it bothered Cheryl, and from what I have learned here.) Also, we're going back five years ago when we first met. Now, I have learned to live with a lot of the little "annoynaces". She has another cat which I am actually quite fond of. Sweet Pea has not stopped using the litter box, she just is urinating around the house more and more.

As I said, I want to find a way to live with this. I tried to be very affectionate, and she does jump on my lap, and even will snuggle herself in and I let her. But, the urinating kept happening. We've had to through out an expensive dog mat because she peed in it so much we couldn't get it clean, and she kept doing it. That being said, I'm going to make more of an effort with this cat. Knowing how much Cheryl loves this cat will hopefully help me to appreciate it more. Part of it is I grew up with a very different attitude about cats (which has been changing since I've been on here ;) )

Like I said, I appreciate your help, guys. This is getting very frustrating for us.

Oh Schwinn! You can't be that bad of a guy(to the kitty) if you are on a forum like this!!

I highly recommend "Natumate" to clean urine spots. I bought mine at the vet's but I'm sure you can buy it pet stores too. 100% Guaranteed or your money back! Trust me, if it can remove a freshly neutered male cat's urine smell, it'll work for Sweet Pea too!!

Definitely try what Happycats posted. Where are your current litter boxes located?? How many litter boxes do you have?

Has this been an ongoing constant problem since you've come along?? OR does it stop for a while and start again??

How do the two cats get along together?

Some cats don't want alot of attention and some do. Make an effort - 10 minutes a day to play with the cat and give treats. Try catnip too! The occasional treat of canned cat food, anything the cat normally doesn't get. Make that small effort. I realise you have made an effort already by letting the cat cuddle in your lap, but try a little extra.

If it is severe(by the sound of this past week), try crating the cat. I did this with a stray I took in. I had him neutered before I brought him home, but he still had the urge to spray until his hormones settled. And my goodness, what a smell!! :yuck: It was putrid! I did try putting a diaper on him(too small) and then I tried underwear(i have pics to prove it!) - he weasled his way out of course! I then crated him when I couldn't watch him. Yes it worked for me - but I only had to wait for his hormones to calm down.

I have never used Rescue Remedy on my pets, but it may sound like it is worth a try! I'll tell you more in a PM!

I wonder - when you mentioned Schwinn about the cat peeing on the dog's pad - how the dog and cat get along? Is Sweet Pea maybe stressed somehow (that you have not seen?) by the dog? It may not even be intentional.

Just a thought!

The dog does like to sniff her, and she tolerates it then gets annoyed. Not very often, though. We think it definitely started when I first came around. I found it in my bike bag. Thought I cleaned it out until I was in the woods and wiped my face with my "snot rag" (don't mean to be gross, but that's what they call the terry cloth on the back of mountain bike gloves). It was just like the movies...you could hear the scream for miles as the birds took off.

They thought she had a bladder infection, and she's been checked several times, but now there is nothing physically wrong with her. Cheryl is going to let Sweet Pea around the baby more when she is feeding, and I'm going to try to not panic. Also, I'm going to mention to Cheryl to check with the vet about some of the other suggestions (I'm an hour and a half from home, and I leave at 6 and get home at 7:30, so I can't make it in. Don't want to seem like I'm letting Cheryl do all the work!).

Thanks again. We'll make sure Cheryl's little princess stays home, in a way we can all live with. I'm sure it'll take some compromise on all of our part.

A habit has been formed. Unfortunately now you have to break it. It may no longer be because of an upset to her lifestyle and routine. The very first thing you need to do is remove the spots(scents) in the home.

Agree with everyone's comments. Just wanted to make sure though that none of your other pets have "bothered" your cat when using the litter. Trust me, that will do it. Happened with my cat when I took in another cat and next thing you know she was wetting in bags, the stove elements, half of a cut melon (really happy I saw that one happening). Being attacked when using the facilities would cause pets and people alike to make other arrangements. And we did have separate litter boxes. The new cat was much bigger than our first cat. We had to rearrange litter boxes etc. and the dog started to stand guard over "his" cat, the first one. He wouldn't tolerate a bully and even though he weighed only 9 lbs. himself, had "that look" in his eyes. Problem resolved itself once cat no longer felt stressed.

Agree with everyone's comments. Just wanted to make sure though that none of your other pets have "bothered" your cat when using the litter. Trust me, that will do it. Happened with my cat when I took in another cat and next thing you know she was wetting in bags, the stove elements, half of a cut melon (really happy I saw that one happening). Being attacked when using the facilities would cause pets and people alike to make other arrangements. And we did have separate litter boxes. The new cat was much bigger than our first cat. We had to rearrange litter boxes etc. and the dog started to stand guard over "his" cat, the first one. He wouldn't tolerate a bully and even though he weighed only 9 lbs. himself, had "that look" in his eyes. Problem resolved itself once cat no longer felt stressed.

Nope, no worries there. Although she's the smaller cat, she rules the roost. The bigger cat won't go to any of Sweet Pea's favourite places, because Sweet Pea will move her. And the dog isn't allowed in that room, and doesn't go in there. We know Sweet Pea uses the litter box, we've seen her.