Just when I thought I had won the battle . . . !
after using his ltterboxes correctly for 6 weeks,(weeks 3 & 4 he was in the Cattery) today frankie peeed behind the TV again! I have got the area covered with carpet protector turned upside down with the spikes uppermost and have been spraying the area with a strong lemon scented spray wich is meant to deterr cats and dogs from urinating in the wrong place. For 2 weeks before he went into the cattery and for 2 weeks since he came home, he hasn't bothered with that area at all. He is using both his litterboxes properly, but this evening, there was a puddle in the corner behind the TV and he had not used the litterbox near by! Both boxes are cleaned daily and there is nothing different with either of them. I have been keeping him out of the room at night, so he must have done it during the day sometime. What is he trying to tell me? Any ideas, anyone?
He may be overmarking old stains. I would reclean with enzymatic cleaners and be sure to follow the instructions on slow drying.
Oh goodness Mary -- how frustrating!! I have no idea what to try -- hopefully Jan is right and he's just overmarking since that will be easier to correct than something else!
(11-17-2009 07:52 PM)JanH Wrote: [ -> ]He may be overmarking old stains. I would reclean with enzymatic cleaners and be sure to follow the instructions on slow drying.
He peeed on the plastic this time, Jan,and there was definately no urine left on it, plus there is the strong lemon spray which settles on it.. It puzzles me that he ignored it for 4 weeks (plus the time he was in the cattery) then suddenly did it again, yet is still using his litterboxes. I have placed an ornament over the corner for now,after thoroughly cleaning it of course with proffesional strength enzymatic cleaner.
I've read back over the previous threads and am thinking maybe a litter box aversion?
This site
http://www.newmanveterinary.com/feline.html
has great information and ideas but the thing to remember is not to make too many changes too quickly - as I did. (Sam looked once at new litter and didn't leap right in it, so I took it away, etc. They need weeks to consider each 'improvement!)
Ignore the low tech site -and the pooping cat animation, LOL - the information is great.
The sections on "Subtrate Aversion...Location Aversion....Substrate Peference.....LocationPreverence" are particularly useful - and under appreciated, imo.
Oh, here's another one:
http://www.catinfo.org/litterbox.htm
It's a pretty sad reflection on my life that I can recommend more than one site about inappropriate elimination.
And another thought, is there room behind the tv for another litter box?
Some cats are attracted to use plastic and/or rubber.
Try starting to feed him there, maybe eating around that area will help him realize not to toilet in that area any more. I had pet ferrets for a few years and that tricked worked wonders with those little buggers.
this brings back memories of Shylo, I tried the carpet protector, feliway spray and disfuser, cat attract litter, two litter pans, moved food closer to area. Nothing seemed to work, doctor but her on valuim, didn`t work for her but did for me. Changed vets after some good advice. Bingo, it was an urine infection. Didn`t help right away, till I got the spots cleaned real good. I tried everything out there, but it took stuff call Get serious, worked like a charm. We are now all living alot happier.No more drugs for either of us. I went thru this problem for a year. I say first take her to the vet to rule out urine infection.
He's trying to tell you to stop watching so much TV (j/k).
Have you tried the double sided sticky tape that they use to make them stop clawing. They don't like the feel of that. Maybe place a big strip of that down and see if that works.
(11-18-2009 04:02 AM)naillady19 Wrote: [ -> ]this brings back memories of Shylo, I tried the carpet protector, feliway spray and disfuser, cat attract litter, two litter pans, moved food closer to area. Nothing seemed to work, doctor but her on valuim, didn`t work for her but did for me. Changed vets after some good advice. Bingo, it was an urine infection. Didn`t help right away, till I got the spots cleaned real good. I tried everything out there, but it took stuff call Get serious, worked like a charm. We are now all living alot happier.No more drugs for either of us. I went thru this problem for a year. I say first take her to the vet to rule out urine infection.
Yes, that was my first call 2 months ago when I thought he wasnt peeing at all (before I discovered his loo at the back of the TV!) I spent £200 having all sorts of checks, to find out he is a very healthy cat!!! Defo not a UTI.
Thanks for all your ideas, guys, I will give those I haven't tried already a try! Thanks for the site links, Jane, I will go have a read of the info on there.