Litterbox Issues

[chnkemunky40]

Hi. I'm new to this board, and I'm sure there are a million postings about litterbox problems, but I thought I'd see if anyone had any helpful advise.

My cat, Pancho, was a stray that we brought in with his sister, Paxton, about a year and a half ago and they are both now indoor only cats (and have been spayed and neutered). Pancho has always been a very shy, skittish cat (although insanely cuddly and loving with me), but neither of them ever had a problem using the litterbox (which they've always shared)...until now. Someone has been peeing all over our bed (sometimes even when we're in it!) and the carpet around our bed. We're about 99.99% sure that it's Pancho (it has that lovely boy cat pee smell). We took him to the vet and he ruled out any health issues, we've started a second litterbox and have had to start covering our bed and laundry hamper when we're out. We've been using wrapping paper, which for the most part has worked. We can't kick him out of the bedroom, because we live in a one bedroom apartment and being that he's such a scaredy cat, he spends most of his time under the bed. Nothing in his environment has changed, we haven't brought in any new cats, we're on the second floor, so he can't even see any cats out the window or anything, and we haven't changed the litter.

So, to make a short story long, besides what we are doing, I was wondering if anyone had any helpful advise. I don't really love the idea of drugging him, so I'm trying to figure out another way to take care of the problem.

Thanks so much!

[Traci]

Your vet said he "checked out fine", but what tests were done. Was a complete urinalysis done? Was any bloodwork done? If not, get them done promptly to ensure a hidden illness is not going undetected. Cats with inappropriate elimination problems do not always have urinary tract problems but could also have other hidden illnesses that are causing the sudden behavior in urinating in unwanted places.

If urinalysis and bloodwork/other diagnostics are normal, then there is undoubtedly some stress in the home that he is trying to get your attention to. Despite no recent changes, try to think back a few months and see if you can remember something. Food change? Guests? A bad experience with something? A change in your own schedule or routine? Was he scolded for something? Do he and his sister get along and are they compatible? Etc?

[Cleo]

Also be sure to clean any area he's gone on with an enzymatic cleanser. Something like Nature's Miracle or the like. If he is able to pick up the scent, he'll continue to go in the same areas.

And double what Traci said.

[chnkemunky40]

So much stuff to think about! The vet did to a complete urinalysis, though I'm not sure about the bloodwork; my husband is the one that picked him up. Our vet is a very thorough guy and kept him all day to observe him. Otherwise, the only thing we've been able to think of is that a new tenant with a dog moved in upstairs about 2-1/2 months ago, that's pretty much the only thing that's changed. Is it possible for that to be the trigger given that it was 2 months before the behavior started? Also, Pancho and his sister are best friends, so I don't think there's a problem there. He never gets scolded, because besides this one thing, they're both pretty much the most well-behaved cats ever. Their food hasn't changed, and nothing really remarkable has happened. We put up a fake tree for christmas, but after about 5 minutes of confusion, he decided to start spending most of his time sleeping underneath it. It has been a big mystery to us. Covering our bed and making it hard for him to go on it and starting a new litterbox seem to have helped, but I guess we'll just have to keep an eye on him. Also, Cleo mentioned Nature's Miracle, where could I find that? We've been using some stuff that the Vet gave us (Urine-Off), but the more options the better, I guess.

Thanks again!
Melissa

[Tambrey]

I have not had much good luck lately with Nature's Miracle and have wanted to try the Urine-Off but it is not available anywhere around here...
I have heard it is very good stuff...

Another good one to try is Petastic...it is the original formulation for the old Nature's Miracle...and that works well also...

[Traci]

Did anything unusual occur during the holidays? Guests? Noise? Activities?

It's entirely possible a stressful event months ago could just now be surfacing for Pancho, including the dog upstairs. Could be nearly anything, you have to think like a cat and remember that even the smallest, most subtle of changes for you could actually be quite stressful to cats.

I'm concerned that he's spending most of his time under your bed. Please take time to encourage him in playtime and activity at least twice a day and make this quality time with him. In a small apartment, your kitties need stimulation, exercise, and a lot of attention from you. Hiding on a frequent basis can lead to depression, which in turn can lead to hidden health problems.