Cat Peeing Outside The Litterbox...

Kisca

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Hello - I am new to this site & looking for advice: if you have any ideas, please share!

3 years ago I adopted 3 kittens from a rescue: two males and a female; all siblings; all fixed; all indoor only.

They were on a diet of Friskies. I was able to switch the dry food over to Instinct Original, but not the canned food. They simply wouldn't eat anything else, so I gave in and left them on the canned Friskies. They get the canned food morning and evening and access to dry food. They have a running water fountain to drink from. I had two litter boxes that get scooped out daily - sometimes twice a day.

Then, about 8 weeks ago, I noticed that someone had peed on a chair instead of the litter box. I cleaned it up, and things were fine for about 10 days. Then, it happened again. (My cats are indoor only cats.) I chalked this up to the fact that it was on a chair in the sun-room and the cat was marking territory...a stray had been in the yard.

Note 1: It is actual pee/elimination, not spraying. Also, both chairs are places that his sister used to sleep on. I might think this had something to do with her, except that they get along beautifully and often share the cat perch, sleeping next to each other.

Note 2: After the chairs were peed on the first time, they were cleaned with Urine Off - an enzyme cleaner. Now they are covered in plastic and sheets - easier to clean and remove all pee odor from...the plastic is thrown away and the sheets are washed in vinegar and then a second time in soap and baking soda.

Note 3: There have been no changes to the routine of the cats, environment, etc.

However, the peeing on the chair began to happen more often - until it became daily and on two chairs - one in the living room and the one in the sun-room. Then, it became twice a day. (The living room chair at night - when there was no access to the sun-room, and the sun-room during the day.)

I added another litter box (grand total: 3).
I bought Feliway plug-ins and placed them in both the living room and the sun-room.
I bought a repellent spray to use in the yard to keep the stray cat away. (I'm not sure that even worked.)
I figured out which cat it was and took him to the vet. The first visit he was examined and given two shots: one antibiotic and one anti-inflammatory. That worked for about 3 weeks.

Then, it happened again - and I took him back to the vet. This time, the vet gave me anti-inflammatory pills to give him and suggested trying different food. He (and the others) did not like Royal Canin SO (which is prescription). They would not eat it. So, I tried Whole Hearted, Merrick, Tiki Cat, and Instinct. I added extra water to all of the canned food. They ate all of those, but seemed to prefer the Tiki Cat.

Again, it seemed to work...but once the round of medication was done, the peeing on furniture began again. I went back to the vet (third trip) - and this time a urinalysis was done. And, nothing...no indication as to anything being wrong, except a slightly high pH. There are no crystals or anything else that would explain this. So, again I was given an anti-inflammatory medication to give him, but now only every other day. I was encouraged to go back to the prescription food...but he and the others (they eat out of each other's dishes) won't eat it.

Now, it seems that even the anti-inflammatory medicine is not working. My cat is back to peeing on a chair...it has not gone back to twice a day, but it is still happening at night (if the sun-room is closed, he pees on a chair in the living room).

I have now bought Hills Science Diet prescription cat food to try...and a calming collar to put on him at night. These I will try tonight.

So...I am here asking for help. I have had cats all of my life - and never experienced something like this. I'm not convinced that it is the food...and I'd much prefer to keep them on Tiki Cat canned food and Instinct dry food rather than the prescription stuff which doesn't seem to have as good a list of ingredients.

Does anyone have ANY suggestions of how to help my cat or something more that I can try?
 

Furballsmom

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I bought a repellent spray to use in the yard to keep the stray cat away.
Can you, depending on where you live, set up an motion activated sprinkler? Or scatter citrus peels around the yard, or even spray cloths with citrus scented furniture polish and place those around the yard. Both would need to be replenished/refreshed, but it might help your boy if you can deter the outside kitty (or bring that kitty indoors with you and proceed with introductions?)

Also, try music for your kitty - there's an app called Relax My Cat, and there is also MusicForCats . com.
 
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Kisca

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Thank you for replying so quickly!
Once it gets warmer, yes - I can try the sprinkler idea. As for the citrus, I'm not sure that would help - my back yard is filled with citrus trees. I haven't seen the stray in weeks...and, while I call him a "stray" I do believe that he is actually someone's pet. He looks far too good and well fed to be a homeless stray.
 

rubysmama

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Hello and welcome to TCS. Sorry it's a litter box avoidance issue that brought you here. :(

TCS has some articles that might be helpful. I'll post the links below.

Litterbox Problems? Here's Why You Should Call Your Vet

Here's an excerpt from the first article. There's more on it, in the article.
"There is one type of urinary tract inflammation that can be difficult to detect and even more difficult to treat. It's sometimes called the Pandora Syndrome, but officially it's known as Feline Idiopathic Cystitis, or FIC for short."

Here are the other links:
How To Solve Litterbox Problems In Cats: The Ultimate Guide
Inappropriate Peeing, Spraying, Toy Obsession And Leg And Hand Nipping
Spraying: When Your Cat Uses Urine To Mark Territory
 
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Kisca

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Thank you! I just finished reading all of the articles. I appreciate the information. From what I saw in the articles, there is nothing that has happened that could have stressed him, barring the "visit" into the back yard from that stray cat. (Although, it has never seemed to bother him in the past when cats came visiting the yard.) And, there was no blood and there were no crystals or anything else present in his urine test.

I'm at a loss - so is the vet. (And although she did mention FIC as a possibility, she said she thought it might just be behavioral. That maybe it started with an infection or something that the round of antibiotics took care of, but has perhaps become behavioral... But, that wouldn't explain why he doesn't pee (until very recently) when on the anti-inflammatory. So ???)

Is there anything more that I can do or try? Any suggestions on a good canned food for this type of issue?
 

rubysmama

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Just reread your first post and ...

Now they are covered in plastic and sheets - easier to clean and remove all pee odor from...the plastic is thrown away and the sheets are washed in vinegar and then a second time in soap and baking soda.
It's possible the urine smell isn't totally being removed from the sheets. Have you tried putting a new sheet/blanket/towel on the chair and seeing if he still pees there. The sheets are on top of the plastic, right? What if you just leave the plastic?

Here's a TCS article that might have more info: How To Get Cat Pee Smell Out Of Clothes And Linens

I added another litter box (grand total: 3).
Are the litter boxes all in the same area? The "rule" is actually 1 litter box per cat, plus 1, so I wonder if adding a 4th litter box might help. And if they're all together, put the new one somewhere else.

Here's another article: Litter Box Location Secrets

Are you sure it's always the same cat? And it's only at night? Wonder what would happen if you locked him in the bathroom overnight, with a litterbox, of course. As well as food and water.

Also, lastly, are there any cat only vets in your area? If so, maybe get a 2nd opinion?
 

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Hi. It is likely that the inflammation in the bladder is causing the peeing problem. Inflammation is irritating. So, that is why you see positive changes when he is on the anti-inflammatory meds. And, FIC could be a likely cause - stress, anxiety, dietary issues, too little water. To top it off, inappropriate peeing can also cause stress because most of the time the cat knows it is inappropriate and feels bad about it happening - a vicious cycle of sorts.

If this continues, I would also suggest you ask the vet about an ultrasound, it will tell you more about the severity of the inflammation. And, an ultrasound should be done fairly routinely to determine if the inflammation is progressing or improving.

In addition to the suggestions/information given above to you: What urinary care food did the vet recommend? And, is it to try to reduce the PH level? Just asking because there are a few different kinds on the market, and maybe another one besides the one you are trying would work for your cat. I have some experience with them, so let me know and perhaps I can offer some alternatives for you to try.

Also, here's an article about stress in cats, just to see if anything in it might help you.

Potential Stressors In Cats - The Ultimate Checklist
 
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Furballsmom

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Hi! I'm only familiar with apple trees, does the fruit on the trees have any odor? The furniture polish is stinky, for sure LOL. Maybe you could set up a camera to see if there's anything happening at night?
 
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Kisca

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I'll read through the new articles - thank you!
In no particular order:

kashmir64 & rubysmama:
1. The litter boxes are in 3 different rooms - one in the sun room, one in the living room (and I moved it NEXT to the chair!), and one in my bedroom (they sleep at the foot of my bed)
2. I have tried putting new sheets and new plastic - not just cleaned sheets. It didn't help. The sheets are on top of the plastic - I can try that (just leaving the plastic)...I could put him in the bathroom at night, but he'd be miserable - he's used to sleeping on my bed. And, if it IS stress, I'd hate to cause him any more than he already has - although WHAT he could be stressing about it beyond me...he (and the others too) lives a very pampered life! lol
3. I'll go out and buy a 4th litter box - but I'm running out of rooms to put them in
4. Yes, I'm sure it's only the same cat. It used to be at night and during the day - now it seems to be only at night.

FeebysOwner
5. The urinary food was Hills Science Diet or Royal Canin SO - yes, it was to help with the pH level in the urine. His was an 8, normal is a 7. If you have any other food ideas or suggestions, I'm all ears. The vet said to make sure that the ash content in the food was low - so, while I am still trying prescription food, I went out and bought cans of Tiki Cat food that have a 2.6% or less ash content. I've even considered making my own cat food, but I can barely cook for myself. (sigh)
6. The next time I take him in, I'll ask for an ultrasound.

Furballsmom
7. The orange trees that I have produce fruit nearly all year. I'm getting the new buds now for next year's crop, but still have fruit. This means that there are ALWAYS oranges around the yard - and the wild birds, squirrels, and occasional possum eat them. So, while the trees don't smell - the fruit on the ground does. But, I did buy Citronella oil to use around the yard...so, I can try that (once it stops raining).
8. I have thought about cameras - but when I looked at them and all the difference choices, I became daunted by the task. There are SO many to choose from and I am not technologically savvy.
9. I'm not sure about cat-only vets. I'll look into that. I did try another vet within the the vet office that I go to. He was less than helpful and I went back to the vet that had been working with me.

I hope I didn't miss anyone's questions - if I did, please just ask me again. I REALLY appreciate all of the help/advice!
 

tabbytom

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8. I have thought about cameras - but when I looked at them and all the difference choices, I became daunted by the task. There are SO many to choose from and I am not technologically savvy.
I'm using this model TP-Link HD Pan/Tilt Day and Night Cloud Camera w/ Night Vision (TL-NC450)..
So far so good. It has a SD card slot too and WiFi enabled so that you can view from your mobile phone from an app while you are outside the house or anywhere else which taps on your mobile data.

You can check it out from Amazon :- B01N5AJ24O. I did not get from Amazon, I got it from our local electronics store.
 

rubysmama

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I'm not sure about cat-only vets. I'll look into that. I did try another vet within the the vet office that I go to. He was less than helpful and I went back to the vet that had been working with me.
If you want to look into cat only vets, here a link to search for one in your area. Just be sure you choose "Feline Only" in the Practice Type Drop Down menu.

Find a Veterinarian and Practice | The Cat Community
 

shadowsrescue

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I use wireless ip cameras in and outside of my home. I use them inside to keep an eye on my cats and also I have one in a room where there are 3 litter boxes. I have one cat who sprays. I first used it to find out who and now use it to keep track of his activity.
I use this one

The clarity is wonderful day and night. I have 3 of these cameras.
 
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Kisca

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Thank you for the camera suggestions - I will look into those. (It would be nice to see what is going on at night!) And thank you for the feline-only vet link!

There was NO cat pee on a chair yesterday morning OR this morning! Yay!!! I very much hope that this lasts...
 
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Kisca

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Update: we made it 7 days - then, while I was out today, he peed on the chair in the sun-room again. Sigh.
But, 7 whole days! I wish I knew what was triggering him...
 

Furballsmom

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A sun-room? Are there panels/sections where he can see outside? I'm thinking that might be it...?
 
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