Hi,
I can definitely sympathize; been there, done that! : )
Your cat most likely has a urinary infection or crystals. Crystals are tiny, sandlike particles which can develop in urine who's pH is not acidic enough. Crystals can irritate the bladder and urethra. It can be controlled with diet and nutritional supplements. These are the main causes of cats elminating outside the litterbox. He should definitely be checked out by the vet ASAP, and if that's the diagnosis (urinary infection and/or crystals), it will be treated with antibiotics. Also, in male cats, crystals can cause urinary blockages if not treated, and this can be life-threatening, so the sooner he sees the vet, the better.
The way you describe it--he's laying on the kitchen table and just pees--this could possibly be a 'control' problem (like incontinence?) and the vet will check this out, too.
Two litterboxes for 4 cats is really not enough. Even though you're cleaning them diligently, you should add at least another box. The rule of thumb is one box per cat PLUS one--I know it's not feasible to have so many boxes in your house, but some cats can become really picky all of a sudden. Some don't like to urinate and defecate in the same box and some no longer want to use a box which is shared by other cats.
Stress can also cause cats to urinate outside the litterbox. Cats are creatures of habit and most don't take to change easily; changes which seem 'minor' to humans, can have a big impact on cats. Have there been any changes in your household lately? Any new people or pets visiting or moving in? Any usual people moving out? Any new furniture, appliances, carpeting; anything new in the kitchen? Is the table new (new tablecloth?) or have you painted, added new flooring or replaced anything in the kitchen recently?
There are two products which I think will help you (in addition to the vet visit, of course):
'Nature's Miracle' is an enzymatic cleaner especially made to completely remove all pet stains and odors (there are other products out there to clean pet stains/remove odors, also, just make sure whatever you get says 'enzymatic' or 'cleans with enzymes', on the bottle). Please see this website for more information:
http://www.petcarecentral.com/nm-155.html
Feliway is a made from a synthetic feline pheremone which can help to calm stressed cats and curb urine marking or inappropriate elimination.
For more information, please see:
http://www.catfaeries.com/feliway.html
www.felineway.com
The spray might be good for you--spray on the kitchen table--but the plug-in diffuser might also help in the kitchen as it's made to treat entire rooms. It has no discernible scent to humans.
Both these products can be found at major pet supply stores like Petco/Petsmart, online, and some vet offices carry Feliway.
There's another product which I think may help you get your cat back to the litterbox, without confining him to the bathroom--it's a clumping kitty litter called 'Cat Attract'--it contains herbal attractants which encourage use of the litterbox. It too, may be found in major pet supply stores.
Keep in mind that first you have to get your cat to the vet to determine the cause of this inappropriate urination.
I sincerely hope things improve very soon, and please let me know what the vet says.
Cher: )
Edited by Cerecita on August 8 2006 at 4:20 PM
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