Cat Urinating IN AIR VENT!!! Please please help!!!

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julia123

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When I turned on the A/C this summer for the first time, I noticed a strange smell. Thinking it was the filter, I cleaned it. Still a strange smell. I couldn't quite pinpoint it but felt like it was more apparent when the the A/C was on, so I thought that the pipes just needed to "air out" a little and it would probably be fine in a few weeks. But summer went on and the smell got stronger. It smelled like the litter box but I couldn't figure out why I could smell it all over the house. I got a new litter box, I cleaned it constantly, I scrubbed the bathroom floor with vinegar on a regular basis. Smell got stronger. I started Febreezing down the house every day and opening the windows as much as I could, since I am very particular about smells. Smell got stronger. I wasn't sure what to do. Last night, a friend came over, and she helped me search out the source. I was stunned but the proof was there...my cat has been urinating IN THE AIR VENT IN THE KITCHEN. It's been going on for a while because the bottom of the vent is totally corroded and gummy. NO WONDER the smell was so terrible when I turned on the A/C...it was circulating that odor all over the house. I couldn't believe it. I still can't believe it! It was cleaned and I filled it with baking soda, covered it in plastic, and set a big basket over the top to discourage future visits.

Now, I've had this male cat for 2 years and he's lived here in the house with my other male cat for at least a year. He uses the litter box for "#2" but apparently squats over the vent for urination. This has been going on for MONTHS, apparently, and he checked out fine at the vet (no UTI).

What do I do?? What's to stop him from just moving on to another vent?? I am SO upset!!! Help!!!
 
callista

callista

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A second litter box over the vent, for pee? Some cats like separate spots.
 
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4meezers3kids

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Isn't it amazing how choosy they can be about where to go. UGH!

Good luck to you -- can paint over the corroded parts with Rustoleum or something? That might also mask the smell and STOP it!
 
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barkleysjester

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Originally Posted by julia123

When I turned on the A/C this summer for the first time, I noticed a strange smell. Thinking it was the filter, I cleaned it. Still a strange smell. I couldn't quite pinpoint it but felt like it was more apparent when the the A/C was on, so I thought that the pipes just needed to "air out" a little and it would probably be fine in a few weeks. But summer went on and the smell got stronger. It smelled like the litter box but I couldn't figure out why I could smell it all over the house. I got a new litter box, I cleaned it constantly, I scrubbed the bathroom floor with vinegar on a regular basis. Smell got stronger. I started Febreezing down the house every day and opening the windows as much as I could, since I am very particular about smells. Smell got stronger. I wasn't sure what to do. Last night, a friend came over, and she helped me search out the source. I was stunned but the proof was there...my cat has been urinating IN THE AIR VENT IN THE KITCHEN. It's been going on for a while because the bottom of the vent is totally corroded and gummy. NO WONDER the smell was so terrible when I turned on the A/C...it was circulating that odor all over the house. I couldn't believe it. I still can't believe it! It was cleaned and I filled it with baking soda, covered it in plastic, and set a big basket over the top to discourage future visits.

Now, I've had this male cat for 2 years and he's lived here in the house with my other male cat for at least a year. He uses the litter box for "#2" but apparently squats over the vent for urination. This has been going on for MONTHS, apparently, and he checked out fine at the vet (no UTI).

What do I do?? What's to stop him from just moving on to another vent?? I am SO upset!!! Help!!!
Click to expand...
Some of the symptoms of a Urinary Track Infection in cats are below:
Straining, pain or difficulty urinating
Blood in the urine
Foul smelling urine
Urination in inappropriate places
Tender lower abdomen (in the area of the bladder)
Fever
Lethargy

It is very important that you check your little guy out periodically for any signs that something might not be right. And although you told me that you took him to the vet and he was fine he could have developed a UTI since then. Keep us posted and good luck!
 
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my_hestia4

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hmmm...i have the same problem, hestia likes mats...and possibly the coach, but i hope not.

there is another thread on here which deals with this, the 'inappropriate peeing" thread. I am going to print it off for all of the wonderful advice...

if your cat is cleared of a UTI, then perhaps is the litterbox itself. For example, is it covered? is it cleaned often? is the litter old? We are in the process of solving these problems because we think that they contribute to hestia's peeing on the floor and on the mats. Once we clear these, we can move on to other factors.

In that thread I do believe they recommended a cleaner as well, but I can't remember the name of it. I am swinging by the pet store soon for some special products for cleaning and eliminating the odor, perhaps that's not a bad idea for you either! and i know that the staff there should have plenty of advice for stopping the odor and discouraging your cat from doing it again!
 
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julia123

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All right, I've got the 2nd litterbox, but the OTHER cat is using it too, so my "offending" cat STILL doesn't have his "own" litterbox. Help!!!
 
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ethiope

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My Aspen peed in an air vent too, but fortunately it was at the veterinarian's office while we were waiting for her to be seen. I took it as a pretty obvious sign of how she felt being at the vet. I haven't noticed her doing it at home. I hope she doesn't and I hope you find an answer.
 
callista

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Well, I've heard that sometimes you have to have (#litterbox)=[(#cat) + 1].
 
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cynlaws

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I have an elderly blind female that does this, the only solution I have come up with besides cleaning out boxes continuously and there are 3 other cats in household, and no UTI, it's behavioral , I take a paper towel and use maxi pads (yes feminine maxi pads) with the sticky side taped to the towel. I have found if I use 2 it's heavy enough to hug the bottom of the vent while still allowing air flow. Makes it easier to clean up as I just pull the whole thing out and rinse off the vent with bleach and it keeps me sane. If anyone comes up with anything that actually curbs the behavior please post it.
 
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