[paco fajita]

This is my first post here on this message board. I searched for it because I'm having an issue with my inside cat.

He's stopped urinating in the litter box. He still does his business in it, but something is different.

I know he doesn't have a UTI because he's been to the vet. The box is in the same place and the litter type and amount has not changed. I scoop it after he uses it (or when I get home from work) and I change it entirely every other day. His behavior and attitude has also not changed. No new cats.

The only difference is he continually pees on the rug I keep by the back door. I move the rug to another location, he goes on that rug at the new spot.

Here in the US we're celebrating Thanksgiving next week, and my family is coming to my house for the first time. I don't want them commenting on his bladder control and I don't want to ruin my chances of hosting the meal again because of this.

This post has been edited by paco fajita: 20 November 2009 - 07:02 AM

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[fleabag]

The rug needs to come up, get cleaned with an enzyme based cleaner..and go live in a closet for a while ...grin ..he's developed a bad habit and now the rug smells like a litter tray ...
You may want to wash the places the rug has been in case there is a residual smell..BTW..we cannot smell half as well as a cat so he may smell it long after WE think it is clean!
If you need a rug..go get a cheap one for now...

[CatsRU]

Fleabag has given you good advice - use a laundry cleaner like Biozet - it may be called something else in the States. Also the rug may need to be cleaned more than once to get rid of the smell. Good luck.

I would also give him another litter tray - some cats like to pee in one and poo in another. I have four trays to two cats and they use them all.

[mishkarosie]

I’m going through virtually the same scenario myself. Rosie has decided that my beautiful six month old rug (that took forever to find - just the right one!) makes a great wee ground. I was virtually beside myself initially when I found her in the act on several occasions. I had a brainwave and decided to cover the rug with plastic and added two more litter trays in the rug area. The litter tray was used, but to my horror, she still did a wee on top of the plastic on two further occasions. I have used various odour eating formulas on the soiled areas (and there are a lot now!) to not much avail. It doesn’t help when the rug is tufted/shaggy and resembles grass, which is why I believe she has been using it to wee on! We give the girls supervised time outside, at which time Rosie does wee on the grass, which I thought was fine as it saved me a scoop in the litter tray inside. As in your case, there are no other changes which have occurred which can explain her behaviour. She’s happy in every other way. I have now removed the rug as we attempt to get it cleaned thoroughly. Rug gone - no problems. I plan to return the rug once thoroughly cleaned and may spray some cat repellent on it initially and see what happens. I hope it works out for you