Changed rope on scratching post, cat is now peeing on clothes

Shidots

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Please help!
My cat started peeing outside the litter box when I moved back in with my mom after college (he was 3 years old) and never had a history of that. Took him to the vet, he was fine but the vet prescribed anti anxiety meds. Shortly after, we moved him in with my then fiancé and he stopped peeing outside the box. We’ve now been married 6 months and he’s had no issues since he moved here.
Until yesterday.. I changed the rope on his scratching post and I noticed he quit using his post. It’s the ONLY one he’d use (bought him 3, never used them. This is the one he’s used since I brought him home at 8 weeks. He loves it). So anyway I watch him get into a basket of clean clothes next to the post and pee in it. I’m assuming the new rope has triggered him to pee outside the box again, I think he’s upset with me. I have no idea what to do. The only thing I know to try is to do my best to try and find the EXACT rope that was previously on his post. I found a close one, but it’s not the same.
Please someone give me some advice, I don’t want him to be upset and I’m sad that I’ve caused him to be upset enough to start peeing outside the box again.
 

Mr. Meow

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Try getting his scent back on the post. Scratching posts aren't just for claws; scratching itself is scent/territory marking.
You can try taking a towel and rubbing it all over him, and then rub it all over the post.
 
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Shidots

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Try getting his scent back on the post. Scratching posts aren't just for claws; scratching itself is scent/territory marking.
You can try taking a towel and rubbing it all over him, and then rub it all over the post.
That is such a great suggestion. Thank you so much! He loves laying in his carrier and has a towel in there so I’ve rubbed that on the post. He seemed confused but I’m hoping it works. Thanks again!
 

rubysmama

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Hello and welcome to TCS. Sorry though for the reason that brought you here. Mr. Meow Mr. Meow had an excellent suggestion. Fingers crossed it works. :crossfingers:
 

Kee

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As much as it may seem, kitties don't have a 'revenge mode', so take solace in that she's not mad at you. Like Mr. Meow said, she's probably just marking territory since her scratching post smells different.. or something. Cats are weird.
 
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Shidots

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As much as it may seem, kitties don't have a 'revenge mode', so take solace in that she's not mad at you. Like Mr. Meow said, she's probably just marking territory since her scratching post smells different.. or something. Cats are weird.
That’s relieving to know. I have been thinking he’s upset with me and I’ve felt like such a bad mom for it. I’m hoping when I come home from work today I’ll catch him using it! Cats are very finicky sometimes so I’m still trying to figure him out lol
 

Kee

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That’s relieving to know. I have been thinking he’s upset with me and I’ve felt like such a bad mom for it. I’m hoping when I come home from work today I’ll catch him using it! Cats are very finicky sometimes so I’m still trying to figure him out lol
Aww, a general rule is that if you are worried about being a bad parent, you're probably not!

Make sure to give him plenty of love when you see him using it next :)
 
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Shidots

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Aww, a general rule is that if you are worried about being a bad parent, you're probably not!

Make sure to give him plenty of love when you see him using it next :)
Absolutely!!
 

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In addition to adding his scent to the post, if he likes catnip, you can rub some of that on the post. I rub catnip on ALL new cat furniture in the house. I have a multi-cat household and I make sure there are small scratching posts by the corners of my sectional and large scratching post/towers in each room. I periodically rub new catnip on the posts if they seem to have stopped using them or are using something else...(its not peeing, but maybe it could help?) Have patience with him, he may have a kidney issue that has not yet become apparent in blood work.
 
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Shidots

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In addition to adding his scent to the post, if he likes catnip, you can rub some of that on the post. I rub catnip on ALL new cat furniture in the house. I have a multi-cat household and I make sure there are small scratching posts by the corners of my sectional and large scratching post/towers in each room. I periodically rub new catnip on the posts if they seem to have stopped using them or are using something else...(its not peeing, but maybe it could help?) Have patience with him, he may have a kidney issue that has not yet become apparent in blood work.
Yes great idea! I’ve used spray cat nip and regular kind on his new scratching posts in the past and he didn’t respond much but that was also a couple years ago, so I’m definitely going to buy some more and try again! It’s been a couple days with his scent on it and he still hasn’t come around but I’m just trying to take it day by day and do whatever it takes to make him more comfortable with it and attract him to it. Thanks again!!
 

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Yes great idea! I’ve used spray cat nip and regular kind on his new scratching posts in the past and he didn’t respond much but that was also a couple years ago, so I’m definitely going to buy some more and try again! It’s been a couple days with his scent on it and he still hasn’t come around but I’m just trying to take it day by day and do whatever it takes to make him more comfortable with it and attract him to it. Thanks again!!
Hello S Shidots and family, and welcome to TCS! Other posters have great suggestions. A cat's bed, scratching surfaces, toys, and activity centers are his or her territory, not just single-use things. They are his identity markers to which his sense of self-confidence are linked. If you can introduce his scent to the new rope on his post, that would be very good. Catnip, silvervine (another feel-good herb for cats) or a blend would also be good. And I have had much success with Feliway spray in the environment of cats who need to feel less stressed for any reason. You can get it at any good "pet" supply venue. There are also Feliway plug-ins, which I've never used.
 
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