Accepted Answer

Thanks for the question XXXXX.

If your cat is bright and healthy and can pee normally elsewhere then this is likely to be some form of behavioural issue. This can be a difficult problem to deal with but I can list all the tips I have given to clients at my clinic in the past related to this issue.

1. When you clean up after where the cat has urinated use one of the odour eliminator type solution you can get from the vet or pet store. These work as they have a biological action like a washing machine soap powder and digest organic matter. In fact a dilute solution of such a soap powder is a good thing to use as well. If you just use normal soap and water it will smell fine to you but to the cat it will still smell it afterwords, and if the place smells like a public toilet to a cat it may use it as such! Make sure you leave the cleaning agent to soak for a while.

2. Try moving the cat litterbox, thats often a good thing to do. Best advice is to keep the litter tray well away from food or water bowls because that could be reason your cat does not urinate in them. Sometimes it is good to provide two litter trays in different parts of the house.

3. Change your cat litter to another brand which is very different in colour and texture from the brand you are using now. Also consider using earth from the garden instead of cat litter, it is not quite so absorbent as cat litter in terms of smells etc. but it is much more natural for the cat and might bring it back into the litter tray to urinate. Try not using the de-odour product in case this affecting your cat.

4. Some cats start to be dirty in the house because they are marking out their territory with urine in response to some anxiety, another cat in the neighborhood etc. Products such as Feliway can help here, some of my clients swear by Feliway. It is used a lot in the UK but hopefully it is available in your area, your vet will advise. LINK

If I have not covered your question fully enough or you would like to ask more I will be online for the next hour or so and I will be at your disposal

Scott Nimmo BVMS MRCVS

Expert:	Scott Nimmo BVMS, MRCVS.
Pos. Feedback:	100.0 %
Accepts:
Answered:	5/7/2009

Cat Veterinarian

I have 28 years experience in all aspects of feline medicine and surgery.