I need help, my dear cat no longer pees in his litter box.

maui's mom

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I have a 3 year old male cat. He is wonderful. In Dec. my husband got a new puppy. At first everything was find, this last month my cat stopped peeing in his auto. litter box (still poops there) and pees everywhere. Our 100 lb puppy chases him in a playful way but it is all the time. We are working on stopping the dog (we cart the dog and he is going to training now) but my cat now pees in my daughter's bed, on my Husband's robe, and on my husband's jeans. If I leave clothes on my bed to fold the laundry and leave it alone, he will pee on them. I took Maui (my cat) to the vet to make sure he has no infections and he is fine. How can I change my Cat's behavior. I love my cat and we can't live like this. Please help.
Thank you
Maui's Mom
 

meowers

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Did the puppy chase the cat alot in the beginning? Because if they got along fine before, maybe you were all playing with the dog more then and tiring it out so it wasn't so interested in the cat. If the puppy is bored and not getting enough walks, thats when he'll go after the cat more. Are you giving the cat as much lovies? Maybe he's mad the dog is not only chasing him, but getting all the attention. Hope they learn to get along again real soon.
 

missymotus

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He may have gotten scared in the box while peeing, so won't go back for that. So try adding another box.'

Make sure the pup isn't disturbing Maui while he's in the litter.

Also, you need to use an enzyme cleaner in the places he's peed to get the smell out. Vinegar also works well.
 

goldenkitty45

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He's probably been harassed by the dog so much that he doesn' feel safe at all or he's marking territory. I suggest you confine him to one room for awhile with the litter pan and WORK ON TRAINING THE DOG TO BEHAVE.

IMO there is no reason why that dog should be chasing the cat all the time. Have you started obedience training - if not, do so now. The dog has to learn you do not chase cats period.

And have a place where you can put the litter pan and the dog cannot have any access to the area. The cat needs privacy and peace and quiet. If things don't improve in a few months, then you might consider rehoming the dog.
 

cc12

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I used Cat Attract litter and a homemade recipe to clean up the urine. I have used it 3 times now and it works.


2 cups hydrogen peroxide
2 teaspoons baking soda
2 drops liquid dish detergent
capful of bleach
3 TBSP of vinegar
1 cup of water

I use my store bought stuff first then I follow up with the above. I have actually seen Cleo go back to the spot where he peed totally confused because the smell is gone. Most importantly it is important to get on top of it early.
Isolate the cat with the litter box for awhile. Make sure the cat has a place to get away from dog when it has had enough. Like a tall cat tree with a bed on top.
 

gingersmom

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It sounds very much to me like the cat is seriously angry that there is a canine intruder in the house and is doing his darndest to make sure that this puppy knows EXACTLY who you humans belong to - and it isn't the puppy.

First step: Start keeping them separated for a while. You HAVE to get the dog to stop chasing the cat. It may be funny to watch, but it is NOT fun for the cat.

My best suggestion for you is to find a feline behaviourist to work with if at all possible. You may consider a short term course of Buspar to stop the inappropriate peeing, and I highly, HIGHLY recommend that you pick up a copy of this book: Hiss and Tell - Stories from the files of a cat shrink.

It's an easy read, the stories are touching and the book gives TONS of insight into why some cats start acting the way yours just happens to be.

My Disclaimer: This book is written about those cats that happened to have had severe enough issues that temporary or long term medications have been used with great success. These are success stories. I do not think all cats with peeing issues need to be given drugs, but I can see that in SOME cases it is the best thing to do, if just for a couple of months while the behaviors are modified and habits are broken.

I wish you the best with your boy!
 

goldenkitty45

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IMO they really need to work more with the dog and manners and I'm sure the cat's problems will lessen. Its not the cat's fault - its more of the dog's fault.
 

gingersmom

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Originally Posted by GoldenKitty45

IMO they really need to work more with the dog and manners and I'm sure the cat's problems will lessen. Its not the cat's fault - its more of the dog's fault.
It is BOTH. Cats are creatures of habit, and once they get into a habit of urine marking, simply changing the dog's behaviour will not change the cat's behaviour.

The animals must be kept separate, each worked on to change behaviors, then slowly reintroduced.
 
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