Cat Had Uti That Was Treated But Still Associates The Litter Box With Pain - Peeing On Clothes Still

My cat had a UTI that has cleared up but he still won’t use the litter box to pee! He started going on clothes that were on the floor so we started not leaving anything on the ground. We thought that would fix the problem. I noticed after we did that when he had to pee he was running around frantically trying to find something to pee on. I took him to the litter box, he peed a little, then ran and hid.

The next day same issue. Today I found out he peed on my blanket, which he has never done before. I’m guessing he was desperate to pee on something but didn’t have the clothes so he chose my blanket..

This has been going on for 4+ weeks. The blanket issue happened today. What should I do? Crate him with a litter box while I’m gone? There’s two litter boxes in the house. One is brand new. The other one is self cleaning. I’m not sure if he’s associating pain with the box or how to fix it. Any one have suggestions?

I would try a different type of litter and or different type of box.

HI!
Try keeping him in a room for a while, with litter boxes, different types of litter - there's one called Cat Attract that could help, and tarps on anything you can't move out. You could even put something that's been peed on into a litter box, and also maybe try puppy pee pads in another box.

Keep him in there until he's comfortable using the boxes again. I think that since he seems so agitated about it all, being crated would be too stressful for him. (I think you're right, he's scared of the litterbox now. I'm envisioning him holding his pee for forever because of that, and then still avoiding using the litter box and just letting go wherever he happens to be sitting in the crate...)
I could be completely wrong about that, but it feels to me as though the room gives him more options and hopefully less stress.

Oh, and if you can while he's in the room, give him some music now and then. There's classical harp music, there is an app called Relax My Cat, and there's also MusicForCats . com which could help him.

You could also try a calming spray (diffusers are expensive and don't always work) in the room, or calming treats.

Hi. That's a long time for him to still be associating his litter boxes with pain from a UTI that has been cleared up for 4+ weeks! In addition to the good suggestions you got above, I'll go down the health route. Is his behavior similar to what was going on before the UTI was identified and treated? Have you had him re-checked once the UTI treatment was done? Was he determined to have crystals, and if so, what is being done to help alleviate them? Crystals can still create pain even after an antibiotic has been given to clear a related infection - although, it is likely an infection will recur.

When the UTI was diagnosed, did they also run a urine culture in addition to the standard urinalysis? Sometimes, a urine culture (which takes 2-3 days for results) can identify a bacteria that some antibiotics cannot clear completely. While the UTI gets better, it never actually goes away entirely.

Hope you find a solution soon!! Both you and your little guy will be much happier!!

Awww... poor little guy. If you're certain the UTI isn't back, then maybe try putting new, different litter boxes in different areas, with a different litter and seeing if that helps.

And, of course, take him back to the vet if you think the UTI is recurring, or never completely went away.

Also about the bedding he's peed on, here's a TCS article that might be helpful:
How To Get Cat Pee Smell Out Of Clothes And Linens

Posting an update.

He had a blockage and without intervention it would’ve been fatal. He’s currently at the vet with a catheter for a few days. Unfortunately this is looking like something that will be reoccurring and we’re looking at perineal urethostromy surgery for the future. The vet said as soon as the catheter comes out he could block again, we won’t know until it happens. I feel terrible for not recognizing the signs he was having a problem. ): wish us luck.

Good luck!! At least the issue has been identified, and can be taken care of.

Oh, poor little guy.
Sending all kinds of healing vibes for him.

Please keep us posted on his progress.

How are things going ? How are you?

Furballsmom said:

How are things going ? How are you?

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The catheter was successful and he’s doing good, no more blockage right now. I have PU surgery lined up at a local vet if he immediately blocks after we get him home. I think I’m going to do the PU surgery even if he doesn’t block to avoid future reoccurrences so he doesn’t have to go through that pain again.

Gizm0 said:

The catheter was successful and he’s doing good,

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My boy had the PU surgery with his previous owner when he was about 2 years old - he is now almost 14.

Thinking out loud, is there something you can do differently with his diet? more canned/pouch food, more water, filtered water...?

Furballsmom said:

My boy had the PU surgery with his previous owner when he was about 2 years old - he is now almost 14.

Thinking out loud, is there something you can do differently with his diet? more canned/pouch food, more water, filtered water...?

Click to expand...

He was currently getting a split of wet food with added water and dry food. We’re probably going to have to switch to a vet recommended wet food permanently now I’m guessing, like the royal canin diet. We also switched their regular water bowl last month with a “waterfall” bowl that filters the water as it recirculates, which I think helped his water intake for sure, the cats love that thing.

I'm so sorry to hear that your boy had a blockage and needs surgery. I wish him a speedy recovery.