My cat is peeing outside the litter box

by julie
(Myrtle Beach, SC 29579)

I have 2 cats. Mo is 10 years old, and Junior is 2 1/2. My daughter came to visit (she has a dog at home) and junior peed on her clothes. He had never done anything like that before. Now I have noticed cat pee smell in my office. I know Junior still uses the litter box because I see him. Why is he doing this. I also know that my two cats starting to fight more and more. Please help me, I don't want to get rid of junior, we love him

RESPONSE:

Julie:

Is he spraying or urinating? The difference is that spraying usually occurs on objects and is a small amount. Check the walls and items on the floor in your office using a black light. If you find urine on vertical surfaces, he is spraying. If you find pooling or puddles of urine or dried urine on the floor, he is urinating. In either case, he should be check by a vet for a urinary infection or urinary stones - both very common causes of inappropriate urination in cats.
If he is deemed healthy, and we assume he has been neutered, then he is likely under some stress and is communicating this in the only way he knows how. Picking fights with the other cat is another method he is using to get rid of the excess energy caused by stress.
Try some Rescue Remedy (liquid and spray) to help ease his stress. Spray the common areas and rub some drops around his head and ears several times a day. The Bach Flower remedies Larch and Beech or Safe-Space by Spirit Essences will also help but you will likely have to order them. Click on the links on the left to read more about Bach Flower and Spirit Essences for cats.
Also, increase play time with him to help him get rid of some of that pent up energy. Interactive play with a wand toy or whatever toy he really likes will help a lot toward controlling his inappropriate urination issue.
You will also need to be sure to get out any urine and especially the urine odor. Any place where you find evidence of urine needs to be cleaned and have the scent completely removed or Junior will have the tendency to go back and urinate there again. Even though you may not be able to smell it, Junior can. Be sure to use a cleaner formulated especially for cat urine removal. The absolute best stuff that we found is "Smells No More" and "Urine Out" powder. It is the only stuff we've found that get the smell out permanently. Click the Website Links button on the left and then click on Planet Urine to learn more about it.
Keep the litter boxes clean! And have more than one. Try some Cat Attract Litter Attractant (Click on Cat Supply & More to find this in our store) to encourage him to use the box more faithfully.
Above all, don't get mad at Junior. He is trying to tell you something in the only way he knows. While unpleasant, you can help him to feel better, be nicer to Mo, and stop peeing inappropriately.
If none of the above things help after a few weeks, you may need to confine and retrain him again. Hopefully, that won't be necessary.
Let us know how it goes and have patience - there is hope for Junior!

Donna
House Full Cats Mom

PS: If none of this works, please Contact Us directly for more personalized help! We don't want you to get rid of Junior either!