Need Help - Cleaning Up Cat Urine & Moving Litter Box

[FeebysOwner]

I've posted semi-related issues about my cat, Feeby, associated with her multiple UTIs and how only with the past couple of them that she resorted to peeing outside the litter box. Now that she's been on antibiotics for a week it appeared as if she had stopped peeing outside the litter box. But, this morning I noticed another wet spot in front of the box. There may have been another spot I missed yesterday - not sure. And then later this morning, she peed again outside the box, in front of me.

Several days ago, at the onset of this most recent UTI, I used the home remedies (vinegar, water, baking soda) to clean up the spots where I knew she had peed. But, since she has once again peed outside the box - at least 3 times - I apparently did not get rid of the odor entirely. On my hands and knees, I confirmed with my nose where the spots are.

So, I went out this morning and bought Nature's Miracle. I have tried to saturate the entire area around the 3 spots. And, according to the instructions for older or stubborn areas, I also laid wet towels over the area. After a couple of hours, the towels are supposed to be removed and then let the area air dry. However, the area is pretty sizeable, so I need to relocate her litter box somewhere else.

How do you go about doing this without creating an additional problem with it being moved?? It has ALWAYS been in this one spot. Help me - Thanks.

 

[Mamanyt1953]

Keep it as close to where it is now as possible, for one. I'd also add a second box to your home. A good rule of thumb is, 1 box per cat, plus 1. Take her physically to the new location, and place her in the box. Don't try to hold her there, just...show her where it is, and that it is hers.

Let us know how Feeby is doing! Poor baby, UTIs are wretched. Had them all my life, and I sympathize with her!

 

[FeebysOwner]

Thanks! There is no room left in the bedroom where the litter box was, so I moved it right inside the spare bedroom next door. Trying to keep in a non-traffic area. So much as changed recently for her. She is older (14+ years) and I think she also has arthritis; so, along with everything else I removed the top from the litter box - and that seemed OK with her after I did that. She is still pooping (or was) in the litter box; that is why I think it has to do with the urine smell still in the carpet.

I am just so scared that she will destroy the carpet in the new location as well, so I put plastic down and covered it with cardboard boxes - and, finally added the washable rug that was in front of her litter box in its old position. Is that too much?

 

[rubysmama]

Sorry for all Feeby's litter box problems. Just to ensure you've found all the places she's peed, you might want to get a black light.
https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_...ps,248&crid=37E68ILKWNRYF&tag=&tag=thecatsite

Also, here are some article on getting rid of the cat urine smell:
Combat Cat Urine
How To Remove Cat Urine
How To Remove Cat Urine Odor From Your Home
How To Get Cat Urine Smell Out Of Carpet: Effective, Non-toxic Solutions

 

[Tobermory]

Both of my 14-year-olds are having trouble with arthritis. They’re both peeing in the litter box, but one of them started having an odd-looking distribution of the pee instead of clumps. Hard to describe, but I posted a photo below. I started both of them on Cosequin and after a period of time, Lily’s weird peeing stopped completely and it’s back to clumps.

It’s possible that Feeby is finding it painful to squat and is trying to find a different place to go because of it. Just a thought. Check with your vet about Cosequin, but if it doesn’t help the peeing, it may help the arthritis. It’s made a difference for mine. I found the best price online at Costco.

 

[FeebysOwner]

Update:
Although, there are still a couple of places where the carpet is still fairly damp, before I went to bed last night, I put her litter box back in it's normal place and just covered the damper areas with a towel. This morning I found she had peed/pooped in her litter box. I sure hope that it means I got enough of the urine smell out to stop her from using those areas. Keeping my fingers crossed...

I also ordered "The Equalizer" Carpet Stain and Odor Eliminator from Amazon. If it is the same product as it used to be years ago (my vet used to sell it, now no one around here does), it is by far superior to Nature's Miracle. It does NOT require drenching the carpet and having to wait for carpet to dry before smell dissipates. If, by the time I receive it, there is any odor left at all in the carpet, I am going to use it.

Thanks for the suggestions. I think I will buy a black light, much easier than crawling around on the floor!! Also, I will re-check with vet about something for arthritis. The last time I mentioned it, he did suggest something - don't remember what - but didn't offer a prescription for anything.

Just wish it wasn't taking so long for the carpet to dry, since Nature's Miracle says the urine smell lessens more and more as the carpet dries. Covering up the area with towels is only impeding the drying process.

 

[Hellenww]

I'm glad to hear she's doing better with the box. A second might still be a good idea in another area. Just like a kitten, a senior might not make it from one end of the home to the other in time.

We give our boys Nodens. Yoshi has mild arthritis so he gets it twice a day. I saw a change in his energy in under a week. Sqeeker has no signs of arthritis but I give him an evening dose as a preventative. I showed to my vet and he said it is the same thing he takes excluding the taurine and it strengthens the heart to improve circulation which help to prevent the arthritis from getting worse. It won't help pain.


Here are a few articles about identifying pain and arthritis

35 Signs That Your Cat May Be In Pain
Arthritis And Joint Pain In Cats

 

[Mamanyt1953]

Oh, exellent news! Since you suspect arthritis, there are meds that can make her far more comfortable. If it gets worse, you may also consider cutting down one side of her box very low so that she can step in more easily. Caring for seniors can be tricky. Hekitty is 10 now, and I'm already starting to plan ahead for low boxes, ramps, things like that.

 

[FeebysOwner]

I worry about cutting the opening to Feeby's box, or getting a lower sided box, because she is kind of a 'sprayer' (always has been). She nearly stands completely upright and hits the wall of the box most of the time. Even had an occasion or two where she actually peed thru the entry hole, just because of the angle she happened to be at. She always just hops in and pees facing the back of the box, so there's a reasonable chance of her hitting the entry hole each time.

I do have foot stools I use around the house to help her jump up on couches, beds, etc. She uses them most of the time now. Although her once favorite spot on the recliner with me during the evening - even with a foot stool there, has been replaced with laying down on the floor beside the recliner. She still sleeps next to me in bed, but not every night like she used to. Just like the recliner, she'll sleep on the floor next to my side of the bed. Can't quite figure out why the changes in these two favorite spots.

I will check on arthritis meds - OTC or prescription - and try to figure out what would be best for her.

 

[Hellenww]

She might be at the point that she needs more than one step to get up. They sell all kinds of pet step and you can find many patterns for DIY. This looks like the cheapest and easiest.

Home and Garden DIY Ideas, Photos and Answers | Hometalk

 

[FeebysOwner]

Here are her step ups right now (see pics). Footstool and the covered chest at end of bed are both 12". Recliner leg is 17" high and bed is 20". So, the chest/bed combo work for the most part, but not the footstool/recliner combo. You would think if one worked, so would the other. Go figure. I guess I can get another step that is 6" high and try that.

 

[Tobermory]

I worry about cutting the opening to Feeby's box, or getting a lower sided box, because she is kind of a 'sprayer' (always has been). She nearly stands completely upright and hits the wall of the box most of the time. Even had an occasion or two where she actually peed thru the entry hole, just because of the angle she happened to be at. She always just hops in and pees facing the back of the box, so there's a reasonable chance of her hitting the entry hole each time.

There’s a kitty at the sanctuary where I volunteer who stands up to pee and sprays it straight out (her name, appropriately, is Rain ). I bought several Sterilite containers for the cat cottage and cut an entry toward the end of each. I’ve watched all of the cats use them, and they hop in and then turn one way or the other. Rain has never peed out of the opening. It takes some practice to cut the opening without cracking the plastic.

 

[Hellenww]

Here are her step ups right now (see pics). Footstool and the covered chest at end of bed are both 12". Recliner leg is 17" high and bed is 20". So, the chest/bed combo work for the most part, but not the footstool/recliner combo. You would think if one worked, so would the other. Go figure. I guess I can get another step that is 6" high and try that.

Yoshi will be 12 next month and has comfortable beds at all levels but this year I often find him on the rug right beside a floor level clean soft bed. I tell myself he just wants a hard bed. It just be the Cats are Weird issue.

 

[kashmir64]

Instead of cutting the box, why not just get the biggest baking/cake pan you can find? Metal with low sides. That way, she doesn't have to step high to get in. Place puppy pee pads around it so if there is an accident, it won't get on the carpet.
Also, a spray bottle with hot water and 1/4 cup of Oxy Clean does wonders for stain and smell.

 

[FeebysOwner]

Maybe as Feeby ages she just likes to NOT jump up as much on things, I guess?? I don't force her to get up on the recliner or the bed - just welcome her if she does. Guess that is about as much as I can do, other than try to get a 6" step for the heck of it.

The litter box I have (see pic) had a top to it, but frankly after watching her recently, it seems like she can barely fit through the opening - so off with the top. But, when she jumps in - and the box is about 9" high, she seems to do so without a problem. However, she NEVER moves or changes her position. After she jumps in, she simply stands there facing the back (as the arrow indicates) and pees. Same whether or not the top is on the box, that is what she has always done.
When the top was on, she used to turn around after peeing and then poop in the back facing the front of the box. But, now that the top is off, she just stands there and pees and then poops right on top of the pee. After she's done, she turns to the left and jumps out the side. Crazy.

 

[Mamanyt1953]

Just wish it wasn't taking so long for the carpet to dry, since Nature's Miracle says the urine smell lessens more and more as the carpet dries. Covering up the area with towels is only impeding the drying process.

If you have a box fan, that will speed things up considerably. Heck, I dry foods with a box fan and those celulose furnace filters that are dirt cheap at Walmart.

 

[Wile]

Maybe it's time to try a bigger litter box? I have a hooded litter box with a large opening that is designed to fit into a corner. It is large enough that my 15lb cat fits in comfortably: Nature's Miracle® Advanced Hooded Corner Cat Litter Box | cat Litter Boxes | PetSmart
It's not cheap, but is is roomy and keeps him from kicking litter everywhere. I assume it would do the same for a cat that pees standing up.

 

[kashmir64]

On a side note...I would move the box away from the outlet. You don't want pee getting in there.

 

[Mamanyt1953]

No, you certainly don't! If she sprays directly into a socket, an electrical charge can actually travel up and zap her. I saw a friend's tomcat pull that one. Of course, Cootie was not a real normal cat, and seemed to like it. He started backing up to every outlet in the house, leading to a frezy of child-proof-outlet-cap purchasing!

 

[kashmir64]

No, you certainly don't! If she sprays directly into a socket, an electrical charge can actually travel up and zap her. I saw a friend's tomcat pull that one. Of course, Cootie was not a real normal cat, and seemed to like it. He started backing up to every outlet in the house, leading to a frezy of child-proof-outlet-cap purchasing!

LOL
I was thinking more of a spark in the wall and setting the house on fire.