my 13 year old cat who never ever urinated anywhere but her litter box is now peeing on my chair cushions and floor Answers at Dogster Answers.

Tue, Nov 3rd 2009, 09:50 GMT

Having a vet check her for a urinary infection is a good start. They may have suggestions as well. However, I suspect it is more likely behavioral. It is probably because she smelt the puppy pee and saw the puppy peeing there. I have had pets who had fine potty habits until another pet starts inappropriate pottying. Then others follow. I'm not sure if it is a type of chemical warfare or just their urge to keep all the peeing in one area. Maybe both. Potty pads sometimes use chemicals to make pets pee on them, those may linger. I'd block the area with something so she can't go there, or give in and place a litter box there. Obviously in her mind this is a potty spot now. There are enzyme cleaners you can use on the couch, but none will be completely effective. Also, make sure the dog isn't messing with her litter box or intimidating her while she is in it or when she tries to use it. Adding a box or two is an easy, cheap solution to try. And make sure she feels safe in them.

ANSWERED BY

Ming (spay & neuter)

Tue, Nov 3rd 2009, 08:59 GMT

It's common for cats with medical problems to begin eliminating outside of their litter box. For example, a urinary tract infection or crystals in the urine can make urination painful—and both are serious conditions that require medical attention. Cats often associate this pain with the litter box and begin to avoid it. So if your cat has a house-soiling problem, check with your veterinarian first to rule out any medical problems. Cats don't always act sick, even when they are, and only a trip to the veterinarian for a thorough physical examination can rule out a medical problem. If you can rule out a medical problem, you should check out this website for more suggestions on how to solve the problem:http://catinfo.org/litterbox.htm

ANSWERED BY

♥ Tasha ♥

Tue, Nov 3rd 2009, 08:46 GMT

I can't imagine much that would bother an elderly cat, even a pup. Unless, of course, he is harrassing her. He may have bothered her when she was trying to use the litter box and now she is afraid he will bother her again if she tries to use it. Cats feel very vulnerable when they use the box, and inappropriate elimination is one way they tell us they want more privacy and to be left alone when pottying. On the other hand, peeing outside the box is also a classic sign of a bladder infection. It hurts to pee in the box, so they go somewhere else. She wouldn't act sick if she had a bladder infection, or UTI (urinary tract infection). The only way to tell if she has one is to take her to the vet for a urine culture and antibiotics. You wouldn't be able to tell just from observing her if she has a UTI. Vets are the only ones who can tell and treat it.

ANSWERED BY

Izadore (Izzie)