Urinating outside the litter box

During the day, my two cats, Mattie and Muffin sometimes stay on our screened porch.  Three times I have seen where one of them didn't use the litter.  I am wondering which cat is doing this.  Two times has been in the floor in the same place and once on the sofa cushions.

The floor is concrete and is finished with a paint and sealer so it is no problem to clean it up.  The cushions, another story.  It is outdoor furniture.  I have used a weak ammonia solution to try to get rid of the odor.  That didn't work.  Any suggestions out there with those who have had to deal with this problem.  Also, today I think I am going to leave Muffin there alone and see if I can determine if it is him.  He has always had urinary problems, and has eaten prescription food most of his life.  Since he has been dealing with cancer recovery and appetite issues I have had to feed him what he would eat from time to time.  Now I am wondering about this.  Suggestions appreciated.

Hi there hon, . for Muffin.
My vet warned me that prednisone may cause excessive urination, and she has seen many kitties urinating outside their box because of it. I think placing a few more boxes around might help, it could be that poor Muffin just had to go so bad that he couldn't make it to the litterbox. for you and Muffin, hon, I hope everything is okay!!!

I put Mattie off the porch yesterday and left Muffin there.  I was able to determine that he did use the litter box two times, so he is not blocked up.

I am going to do that again today.  The girl at the vet's office said if I determine Muffin is wetting outside the box, then they can draw a clean urine sample and see if he has an infection.  Their guess is it is him doing this, in view of all he is going through.

I still continue to have this problem.  Yesterday I was able to know for sure that Muffin is the guilty cat.  This morning he went to the vet's office.  They drew urine and have sent it to be tested.  I will hear tomorrow.  I am almost wishing for a UTI.  If not, then this is a behavorial problem or something caused by the steroid he is taking.  I have read other's posts about feliway.  Would that plug in thing work in an area as open as  screened in porch.  Does anyone have any other suggestions how to deal with this issue if an infection is not the problem

The Feliway spray would probably be better than a plug-in out there, I would think, because you would spray surfaces and then just refresh as needed. Rather than using ammonia, you could try an enzyme cleaner. LDG wrote an article with lots of tips: How To Remove Cat Urine Hissy wrote Combat Cat Urine

Do not use ammonia, vinegar, hydrogen peroxide, FeBreeze, or lemon juice to remove cat urine. Ammonia and vinegar will encourage your cat to continue to pee in the spot, and the other products will cover up the smell for Your satisfaction, but not for your cat’s incredible olfactory unit. If she even gets a hint of urine scent, she will return every three days to refresh it.

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for Muffin and that you get the urinating problem straightened out.

Thanks jcat.  I have actually bought some stuff from Petsmart called Nature's Miracle Just for Cats.  The ingredients are sodium lauryl sulfate, cinnamon oil, lemon oil, citric acidl, water and sodium benzoate.  I have used this on the floor where it started and since on the sofa cushions.  Does anyone know of a better product.  Also, the vet tech called and said Muffin's urinalysis is normal and the vet will call me tonight.  Now I am wanting to blame this peeing in wrong places on the steroid he is having to take.  Does anyone have any experience or knowledge as to if steroid will make a cat do this.

I am SO sorry about your Muffin and now this urinary issue. I was also going to give you the link to Laurie's article and see that Tricia already did . The Stink Free used to be sold at Petsmart. NOW I don't see it there anymore but you can order it online. I SWEAR by this product completely. It really, really works. But, I do wonder if this is from the steroid and his other health issues combined. I can't say for sure, though, about the steroid. Pipsqueak was on Pred. and I did not have that problem with him. I will be sending you and Muffin prayers and vibes tonight that the urine test will give you an answer tomorrow. :cross:

I am also trying to find some information for you. I do believe that steroids could cause this issue of having the need to pee often as I know it happens when dogs take it. It is not a diuretic but can cause the side effect of diruesis.

Thanks Feralvr.  I appreciate the help.  I went back and read the links jcat sent to me  That is great information.  On hte article written by Hissy, the Nature's Miracle is one she names.  That is what I have been using.  Another thing I can do is try to get the black light with the flourescent tube that LDG talks about.  Anyone know where to get one.  I am anxious to see what the vet says tomorrow.  The tech had said he would call tonight or tomorrowl, but I haven't heard yet.

If you can't find a blacklight at Petsmart or a home improvement store, Amazon has several different ones. Walmart or Radio Shack might have them.

Thanks jcat.  I asked my husband and he said he thinks we have one at our church I can borrow.  We used it in an Easter production we did every year for a while.

My vet called this morning.  He said Muffin's urinalysis showed no signs of blood, crystals, or anything else.  He said the urine is concentrating good, whatever that means, so he doesn't think this problem is caused by the steroids.  He suggested I continue to use the same litter and box, but add another box with unscentedl, clumping litter and see if that helps.  I told him I was going to check the cushions with a black light and clean them.  He suggested covering them with plastic to see if that will help.  If he continues to go there, then I guess I can remove the plastic and spray every day or other day with the Feliway.  Does anyone else have any suggestions.

Okay, I tried looking at these sofa cushions with the black light I bought a Wal Mart.  I didn't clean the cushion yesterday, just turned it over, so I know it is there.  But the black light showed absolutely nothing.  They are reddish cushions with beige palm leaves.  Nothing looked out of the ordinary.  Has anyone else actually tried this black light thing to look for urine.

I am bumping up my thread on this because nobody replied.  I had no results with the black light thing.  At this point I am going to get some more Nature's Miracle, clean all the cushions, cover them in plastic and try a new litter box with unscented litter, clumping.  I will still use the old litter box there too and see what happens.  Does anyone else have any more suggestions.

Hi Barb! It does have to be pitch black dark to use the black light. Did you check the cushions in complete darkness? I have never had any luck with Nature's Miracle. I prefer that Stink Free Petsmart used to sell it but doesn't anymore, unfortunately. I buy it online now. There is also Nok Out, a product that works incredibly well for cat urine. Online purchase only as well. I am glad that the urinalysis turned out normal! But still, a worry that this behavior is going on with Muffin. Wish I had more for you to go on.

It was night and I was on the porch with the black light checking the cushions of my porch furniture.  There were no lights on and no light shining from inside.  It just didn't work.  For now, whenever the rain quits here where I live, I am going to clean the cushions all over the best I can.  Then I think I am going to cover them with plastic and not concern myself anymore.  They can always spend the day in the yard and the nights in the garage like they did before Muffin had his surgery.  The black light thing just didn't work.

I gave my thread a bump here to say I have cleaned my furniture cushions.  I added a second box with unscented cat litter.  For several days my cats have spent the afternoon on the porch with no urinating anywhere except in the litter box.  Muffin, for some reason, likes the new box.  I am not sure if it is the litter or if it is because it is something new.  The good thing is it's working.  Yeah.

This is just great news and I do hope that the unscented litter was it. I also have a few different boxes around my house and use two different litters. It really works to keep kitties happy to have a choice. I think they like that. I hope that this issue is now solved, Barb. :cross: AND more of these for Muffin - I do hope that he is having a good day today. :rub:

My cat responded the best to using a scent free clumping cat litter. I also use a large rubbermaid storage container low walled as her litter box because she is quite large.

No hood. Also empty and rechange all litter every three months and wash the litter box well. Don't change using the kind of litter if you find the cat likes it. My cat is very

sensitive to change. Sounds like you are on the right path now
 

lisabongo said:

My cat responded the best to using a scent free clumping cat litter. I also use a large rubbermaid storage container low walled as her litter box because she is quite large.

No hood. Also empty and rechange all litter every three months and wash the litter box well. Don't change using the kind of litter if you find the cat likes it. My cat is very

sensitive to change. Sounds like you are on the right path now
 

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 Thanks Feralvr and lisabongo.  Muffin so far has used this new box as opposed to the old one I have left for now.  I have to change the litter very often because he is on a steroid and it makes him urinate a lot.  But it is working so far.  No more pee on the floor or the cushions.  I am hesitate to do away with the original litterbox because of my other cat Mattie. l  am not sure which one she is using right now and I don't want to cause her problems.  My gosh what we do for our cats.  It is a never ending saga to figure them out.