Help please! My cat is peeing on my couch.

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Pumpkin's Mom

Pumpkin's Mom

Member Since 2016
Pumpkin already ruined one couch. It was so bad I actually had to throw it away. Now he is peeing on my leather sofa. I have used enzymes on it and have foil on it and a box. Tonight he blatently jumped on it and squatted and peed. I am so upset. I know he is sick butthis is awful! I just bought bubble wrap tp put on the couch. It is really sticnking too. I can't afford a new couch.

Ideas anyone??
 
There are numerous posts on inappropriate elimination on Feline Health. Including this one:

For inappropriate elimination, always go to the vet first and rule out any medical problems.

Here is a list I compiled previously. Some of the items may not apply and the gender may be incorrect.
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You might try an integrated approach using multiple options from the list below on a consistent basis:

* start with crating, using a medium large crate (30" long is big enough for cat and a litter box) until progress. He probably won't go where he'd have to lie in it ... but if he does, something is wrong and it may be medical.

* tarps and newspapers may be easier on clean up if you don't crate him

* feeding on a schedule and then placing him in the litterbox (maybe in a crate) within 15-20 minutes after eating, until he goes, then praising and letting him out.

* Feliway/Comfort Zone - friendly facial pheromones which reduce stress and may reduce marking behavior. Cheapest prices are usually on the net (ex http://www.LambertVetSupply.com ) I've used it and it helps.

* Cat Attract litter - supposed to help attract cat to litter box

* rule out arthritis or constipation - pain causes box avoidance

* watch if the other cats ever attack him in the box and if so, you may need to keep him separated from them. I've got one the others attack, completely unprovoked.

* litter box should be 1.5 times length of cat, litter cleaned frequently, but avoid really strong smelling cleaners as cats may avoid them due to the scent.

* you've got to get residual odors out from areas which were 'nailed'. If you don't get those spots thoroughly cleaned, any residual odor may trigger using the spot again. Enzyme based products such as Nature's Miracle, are the most likely to have success. Carpet may need to be rolled back and treated on the back side, plus treating the pad separately (or replacing the pad). It can require repeated applications.

* regular play sessions of about 15 minutes to reduce stress and promote bond with you

* reward desirable behaviors - if you see him use the box, praise and treat him

* put unpleasant textures in places he has peed to encourage avoidance

* read some of this author's books: http://www.catbehaviorassociates.com/ she's pretty good - ex "Starting from Scratch"
 
I use a felt backed plastic table cloth to protect my bed. I use a waterproof mattress cover on my couch. You could try press & seal wrap. Sticky side up. But if he pees on it before jumping off he might throw and shake pee all over the house in his attempt to unstick his feet.
 
As BJ said, always check for any medical problems such as a UTI. When my cat got a UTI, he let me know by peeing on my pillow at 4AM! Now, like Steph, I have plastic mattress covers on the beds and a twin size one for the sofa that I put on if needed.
 
Hi Pumpkin's Mom,

First up, have some of these:

:bighug::bighug::bighug:

As BJ and Sharon have advised above, sometimes if there is an underlying problem it can lead a cat to eliminate inappropriately. If he's that obvious behaviourally it may be his way of trying to let you know that something is wrong. I suggest you ask your vet to check:

- whether Pumpkin may be suffering from (possibly occult) diabetic neuropathy (not jumping up onto things as often and also flat-footed walking are clinical signs to look for). Check B12/folate levels. B12 methylcobalamin and better BG regulation can resolve neuropathy problems.

- Check potassium levels (if they're off they can lead to hindquarter weakness - supplementation should only be done under close veterinary supervision of blood potassium levels as too high and too low a potassium level are dangerous).

- Check for urinary tract issues (infection, inflammation, environmental or physical stressors). Diabetics are more prone to infections and glucose in the urine of poorly-regulated kitties can increase risk of infection.

- Check kidney function including specific gravity of urine (cats who produce very dilute urine are also more at risk for infection).

Is Pumpkin fed wet or dry food? If he has been fed dry food most of the time this can leave a cat with chronic dehydration problems; descended from desert dwellers, cats have a low thirst drive and don't tend to drink enough water when they're fed dry food. Switching to a wet diet (and perhaps adding a teaspoon or two of water to each meal) can help improve hydration levels. (For info, both myself and another FDMB member have cats whose inappropriate elimination issues resolved upon switching to a wet diet.)

More info on urinary tract issues at this well-respected, vet-authored site:

http://catinfo.org/?link=urinarytracthealth

I hope for both of you that you're able to find something to help the situation very soon.

:bighug:


Mogs
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I agree with everything stated above. I have a non diabetic cat that has sprayed urine inappropriately all his life. About 4 months ago I asked a new vet if there was any new recommendations. She placed him on an estrogen medication. Menace 20mg. He started with 1/4 tab daily for 3 days then 1/4 tab twice a week. He has gained weight but has stopped spraying. I wish I had known about this 13 yrs ago.
 
Sharon14 said:
As BJ said, always check for any medical problems such as a UTI. When my cat got a UTI, he let me know by peeing on my pillow at 4AM! Now, like Steph, I have plastic mattress covers on the beds and a twin size one for the sofa that I put on if needed.
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I agree. Usually my cats will do stuff like that when they are either sick or I did not clean the litter box fast enough.
 
Suzanne Kostenko said:
I agree with everything stated above. I have a non diabetic cat that has sprayed urine inappropriately all his life. About 4 months ago I asked a new vet if there was any new recommendations. She placed him on an estrogen medication. Menace 20mg. He started with 1/4 tab daily for 3 days then 1/4 tab twice a week. He has gained weight but has stopped spraying. I wish I had known about this 13 yrs ago.
Click to expand...
Thank you for that information! I have a male Bengal who sprays every time anything stresses him - which is, like, always! He has peed on my bed (and me) more times than I can count. Feliway helps a lot, and I've heard that some vets will prescribe Prozac for them and that it helps also.
 
I think it is better if you get help from a good vet.This could be UTI. As soon as you go to the Vet they will collect urine samples for testing.Sometimes blood testing maybe required as well as X-Rays.Leather sofa's can be quite easy to maintain,you don't have to worry about that.Here is a blog that mentions some tips on how to protect your leather sofa ( http://www.surplusfurniture.com/blog/how-to-protect-your-leather-sofa/ ). You could get a plastic cover to cover the leather sofa and bed like how everybody says here.
 
I found these directions for getting pee out of mattresses. Worked for us after McGee (not diabetic) peed all over a bed. I don't know about trying it on leather, though. That might need a different cleaner, but for other fabric situations (like a sofa) it might be worth a try. http://www.catsofaustralia.com/clean-cat-urine-mattress.htm

Getting his blood sugar under control will reduce the amount he's peeing and might help solve your problem.
 
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