Yahoo Answers is shutting down on May 4th, 2021 (Eastern Time) and beginning April 20th, 2021 (Eastern Time) the Yahoo Answers website will be in read-only mode. There will be no changes to other Yahoo properties or services, or your Yahoo account. You can find more information about the Yahoo Answers shutdown and how to download your data on this help page.
Trending News
HELP! i cant get my cat to stop urinating on my furniture and the vet says its a behavioral problem!?
I have a turkish angora cat who is only a year old. in may he started urinating on my furniture. I've taken him to the vet 3 times and even tired Bach's Flower Essence Oils for stress. The vets decided its behavioral. He is not adoptable if I surender him so he would be put down. I love him so much and do not want to have to give him up but he is destroying my house and the vets have nothing else for me to try with him.
he is neutered and there are several litter boxes available to him but he prefers my couch, which i now have covered in plastic. even with the plastics covering so he doesnt ruin the couch he still pees on it
12 Answers
- JewelLv 71 decade agoFavorite Answer
Believe it or not, there actually are people who deal specifically with pet behavior problems. Ask your vet and other cat owners for recommendations. A behaviorist specialist can tell you why your cat is doing this, and teach you how to train him to stop. The best techniques involve "clicker training" for the cat, and interactive play.
In the meantime--has he ever used the litter box? If he does, does he actually get in and use it, or just sort of perch on the edge? He might not like the feel of the litter--try one with a different texture. Or, if it's enclosed, he might not like the feeling of being "cooped up." (I have one tom who refuses to use a covered box.)
Also, make sure you get an enzyme solution to thoroughly clean your couch once training starts. The enzymes will destroy the "scent markers" that your cat can smell even if you can't, the markers that tell him, "This is MY couch!" Cats make a habit of peeing wherever they can smell they've peed before--it helps them mark their territory.
- daaLv 71 decade ago
First off, is he neutered? If not, that might help if it is hormonal. Did the vet take a urine sample to check for infection? Your next step is to isolate the cat to one room, with his litter box, food/water, toys, etc. Spend as much time as you can in there with him every day. Once he's using the litter box exclusively, you can give him more freedom, with supervision. Do make sure the litter box is big enough and clean enough (some cats are picky and will require you to scoop out the box several times a day), and you may need to try a different type of litter. An unscented clumping litter is usually best.
Clean the previous spots thoroughly with an enzyme cleaner, such as Nature's Miracle or Simple Solution, and put boxes or something over those areas so that he cannot get to them again for a while after you begin letting him back out. You might also try a pheromone spray or diffuser, such as Feliway.
- hammetLv 45 years ago
Is this a rather new occurance? If so, have you ever made any drastic alterations on your dwelling? (New loved ones member, pets, and many others). If no longer, I could take her to the vets as she very good will have a bladder illness. Try spritzing the discipline with vinegar as cats specially do not like vinegar. Also, if want be, check out quarentineing her in the toilet with a litterbox. This means you'll be able to track the colour of the urine (indicator of a uninary tract illness) and likewise confidently she's going to return to making use of the field. Usually cats begin doing that once whatever is disturbed of their dwelling lifestyles: new cat, new puppy, new little one, simply moved, and even repeatedly after being declawed. If none of those matters has occured, it is time for a vet consult with.
- 1 decade ago
I assume they have done a urinalysis to check for inflammation of the bladder. If not, maybe they should. Once a medical condition is ruled out, you probably have a behavior problem. This is extremely common in cats, usually caused by stress. It may be difficult to identify the cause of the stress. Feliway diffusers may be effective. Some people skip this step due to the cost of the refills, but if it works it sure beats a cat who urinates on your furniture. In stress-related cases the last option may be kitty Prozac. Below are links to the handouts we give clients dealing with this problem.
Inappropriate Elimination:
http://www.catcliniciowacity.com/art_elim.htm
Litter Box Care:
- How do you think about the answers? You can sign in to vote the answer.
- 1 decade ago
i'm not familiar with that breed, but i assume all cats are the same. my cat used to do the exact same thing. every time he did, i would use a spray bottle. when he used the bathroom in a litter box, i would reward him. eventually he stopped. if your cat is male, mabey he's spraying his scent for a female. but if it's female and my help didn't work, do what i did with my others that wouldn't respond like he did. make them outside pets
- sk.bismillah491Lv 41 decade ago
get a litter box, if you have one make sure when you clean it, you clean it out good. try putting catnip or something that cats like near the litter box so when your cat needs to do its stuff it goes to the litter box.
- 1 decade ago
well i just had to get rid of mine of two years she knew how to use the litter box but just wouldn't. i tried everything spray's,cream's all kinds of stuff. i ahte to say but yoy may have to get rid of it. i sent my baby to a farm where she was needed in the barns but had free run to go to the bathroom. maybe if you got it fixed might help. i can tell you it wasn't untill i got my puppy but she just never stopped even after they got to know each other
Source(s): been there - ≈Kallissa≈Lv 41 decade ago
Try a Spraybottle of Vinegar. Whenever you see him about to urinate, spray him with vinegar, cats hate it.
- Anonymous1 decade ago
neuter him. this stems most behavioral issues w/ male cats.
- eyJudeLv 71 decade ago
if he is not neutered then do that.
and drsfosterSmith.com has a feliway spay or plug in that might help.
Source(s): DrsFosterSmith.com