Some cats complain by meowing. Others speak from the rear. Ten percent of pet owners complain that their cat sprays. Spraying may be a message, but more often it's out of your cat's control. Your friends at Cat Furniture say that to bring spraying to an end, you have to find the beginning.
Urinary infections and digestive problems cause uncontrolled peeing. Cats often develop painful crystals in their urinary tract, especially if they eat cheap food. Your older cat might simply be too stiff and achy to step inside the enclosed litter box. So your first step is a trip to the vet to rule out any medical causes.
Your vet says Muffy's fine, just naughty. Female cats sometimes mark when they're in heat. If she's not spayed, consider making the cut. Males are the more common culprit, especially in a household with competing cats, spraying to mark territory and attract females. A tell-tale clue is if spraying starts around nine months old as he nears maturity. (Or you find kittens 65 days later.) Neutering usually prevents this type of spraying, but it works best if done before the cat is 6 months old.
Cats don't like to share toilets any more than you do. Try adding a separate litter box for each cat. Space the litter boxes apart by at least 6 feet.
If yours is a one-cat house, notice whether he's watching other animals out the window. An outside invader can be enough threat to make Boots draw a white picket pee fence. |  |
Another clue: this kind of territorial spraying is usually on vertical surfaces, like walls and furniture; medical-problem peeing is a squat.
If your cat is going near, but not in, the litter box, he may not like the feel or smell of the litter. If you haven't changed it in a month (clumping) or a week (regular), well, duh. If the litter is fresh and Muffin still won't use it, try changing brands.
How cats can feel stressed when all they do is hang out on the cat tree waiting for dinner, we at CatFurniture.com will never know. But they do, and they pee to reassert authority. If you were having a bad day and your mate whacked you with a newspaper, would it cheer you up? Your cat feels the same. Rubbing their nose in it won't help either. A reassuring stroke, murmured sweet nothings and sticking to a predictable routine will work miracles for your kitty ... just like they would for you.
