How can I stop my cat from peeing on the couch?

[Sonique]

Before I ask, I want to make something clear. She does NOT need a vet. There is nothing physically wrong with her. When this first started, I took her to a vet and she was fine. And the litter boxes are CLEAN. I have three cats, and trust me I keep on top of that. I only have one cat with this issue.

She doesn't pee on anything else, BUT the couch. The first couch we had we had to get rid of because we couldn't get the smell out. The one we have now, we cover with a shower curtain and a bar down the middle since it seems to be the crevices between the cushions that she likes to pee on. She pees on the curtain now, and it used to be an every so often thing but it's beginning to be several times a week now. I don't know what to do, because the smell is ultimately getting on our couch again.

I really don't want to have to get ANOTHER couch or get rid of this one, so please help me out. What can I do to keep kitty off the couch? Is there a smell thing I can buy? Is there a specific texture they don't like? Do I have to crate her at night? (I hope not, but I'm about ready to do it)

Please give me some advice on how to deal with this before I go nuts. She's 5 years old BTW, so I'm sure age isn't the issue either.

EDIT:
BTW she always does this when I'm not around, so I can't punish her right after she does it. That's the biggest problem

[Traci]

Just to be sure, have you actually seen her urinate on the sofa? You're sure it is not another one of the cats (or more?)

Is the urine in large or very small amounts?

Regarding the vet check: did you also have a urinalysis done and a complete blood profile done?

How long has this been going on?

Have there been any changes in the environment, at the time of, or before she started urinating on the sofa? This could be anything from a certain even that took place in that room, or with the sofa itself, or even with changes in your schedule.

Any changes with litter type, or placement of litterboxes?

What are you using to clean both the sofa as well as the shower liner?

Is the shower liner an extra heavy-duty liner? (usually, one cannot find these at your local department stores, you can find them online though). The extra heavy-duty liners help protect against claws and therefore help prevent urine leaking through to the sofa.

Anything about her behavior changing at or before the time she started urinating on the sofa? Is she more nervous, or withdrawn, or not as sociable? Have you ruled out intimidation from another cat? Anything changes with you, members of your family, other changes in the home or your schedules?

Is the sofa a type of material that the cushions can be washed in the washing machine, or at least, the covers? If the covers can't be removed and washed, and if the cushions have at any time been soaked with urine, there is little chance of getting the urine smell out of the material, no matter what product you use. They have to somehow be washed thoroughly, including the frame where the cushions meet the frame.

[Sonique]

Just to be sure, have you actually seen her urinate on the sofa? You're sure it is not another one of the cats (or more?)

Yes I did see her do it once. She was sitting next to me. It was after this day that we got the shower curtain cover for it.

Is the urine in large or very small amounts?

Usually about medium to small size.

Regarding the vet check: did you also have a urinalysis done and a complete blood profile done?

IIRC, yes. But it was a year or so ago, she's actually due for another check up, but the fact that she pees in the same place every time makes me think it can't be accidents.

How long has this been going on?

She's always been peeing on things. We had a air mattress that she peed on a couple times. Before that it was my brother's couch... and then now it's our couch. She just seems to be doing it now more than usual where as before it was just like every so often.

Have there been any changes in the environment, at the time of, or before she started urinating on the sofa? This could be anything from a certain even that took place in that room, or with the sofa itself, or even with changes in your schedule.

We moved to this apartment back in March. But this has been happening more frequently over the last few weeks. Let's see, I started a job in April and Rob started a new job around then too, so we're not home as much, but again that was a few months ago. That's the only thing I can think of.

Any changes with litter type, or placement of litterboxes?

Well like I said, we moved in March but things were okay then. The boxes have always been in the same closet for a while now and I've never changed the litter.

What are you using to clean both the sofa as well as the shower liner?

For the liner, usually I'll just soak up however much it is with a towel, and then poor vinegar on it. For the sofa itself, usually I'll take the cushions apart and soak them in the bathtub, and if need be, step on them to get the urine out. Then I'll also poor vinegar on them. I haven't had to do this with the new one yet though.

Is the shower liner an extra heavy-duty liner? (usually, one cannot find these at your local department stores, you can find them online though). The extra heavy-duty liners help protect against claws and therefore help prevent urine leaking through to the sofa.

We actually have two on there now, so it's pretty heavy duty.

Anything about her behavior changing at or before the time she started urinating on the sofa? Is she more nervous, or withdrawn, or not as sociable? Have you ruled out intimidation from another cat? Anything changes with you, members of your family, other changes in the home or your schedules?

I think lately she's been more affectionate when around me. Or it seems she wants to hang out more... whereas before she was fine being in the other room. Maybe she misses me when I'm at work? I've thought of that, but there's not much I can do except make sure I DO have time for her when I'm here. As for intimidation, well the one time I DID see her do it, she just leaped up next to me and just peed on the couch, and then tried to bury it. So there wasn't anything at the moment that startled her. Luffy used to pounce on her when she was using the box, but that was years ago and I put a stop to that. At least I haven't seen him do it in years. Sometime she can get annoyed with Louie because as he's rather young still, he can be rambunctious and she's not always the playful type.

Is the sofa a type of material that the cushions can be washed in the washing machine, or at least, the covers? If the covers can't be removed and washed, and if the cushions have at any time been soaked with urine, there is little chance of getting the urine smell out of the material, no matter what product you use. They have to somehow be washed thoroughly, including the frame where the cushions meet the frame.

Like I said, I take them apart and wash the parts separately and then use vinegar to get rid of the smell. At least that usually seems to work alright.

[Traci]

If she hasn't seen the vet since last year, it's time she sees one now. Urinary tract infections can occur at any time in any cat. Depending on her age, and if she also hasn't had full bloodwork done , get that done too to rule out other potential problems, like diabetes, renal disease, etc.

I'm not a fan of vinegar for cleaning pet urine. Sometimes the smell is even worse when vinegar is used. A better solution would be an enzymatic cleaner, since the enzymes break down the protein in the urine and usually there is no residue left if the product does it's job. You could also use a solution of diluted bleach and water (1 part bleach to about 32 parts water) to clean the actual cushions, NOT the fabric, just make sure the cushions are completely dry before putting on the fabric covers. The same solution of beach and water can be used in a spray bottle to clean up small urine spots on the shower liner.

Also periodically wash the shower liner in the washing machine, since they too can retain odors.

The reason she is continuing to use the sofa is probably because she can still smell urine she has left there previously. So, start using an enzymatic cleaner to ensure no urine smell is left after cleaning. It could also be a combination of still smelling previous urine or with the following:

Moving is the number one cause of stress for most cats, and they may not always show visible signs of stress right away, it could be transient and show up months after the event. Likewise, schedule changes with the family can also be stressful since to the cat, it upsets their normal routine. Cats don't like change, and as a result, they are often stressed and a health issue or a behavioral issue may develop as a cause of the stress. She could be marking the sofa because it's the human's personal item and for some cats, that's the way to get their attention to something that is displeasing them or stressful for them.

Be sure to devote special time for her before you leave for work, and when you are home from work. Make this a consistent routine on a daily basis, designate playtime on a daily basis.

Consider adding another litterbox close to the living area, if possible, and encourage her to use it. Have you observed her in the current box(s) to see if there is something she doesn't like about the box? Litter aversion? Not private enough? Too dark or confined space? Not enough easy access?

Lastly, while it doesn't work for every cat, try Feliway, get one or two Feliway diffusers, but make sure they are not plugged into an outlet that is blocked by furniture. You can also get one or two Feliway spray bottles, you can use the spray on virtually anything, including furniture, but follow the manufacturer's directions, since using the product consistently achieves the best results.