Help with a first time cat owner!!!

Ok this isn't an immediate emergency lol just a major repetitive bad habit or something my cat has started. Let me begin by saying that I'm a first time cat owner and a first time pet owner in general. My Smitty is a year and a half years old male, he is not neutered nor does he have his shots (which is changing very soon). He has had some health issues in the past that is being resolved with time and care (particularly with his splotchy balding). He is also an indoor cat. He is very docile and highly loving. He never had any issues with the litterbox since I trained him until now. For the past two months, he is refusing to pee in his litterbox. He will poo but not pee!!! It has gotten to the point that I have to keep him out of my room and the laundry room  which kills me cause I love his cuddling His primary target to pee is clothes and fresh or dirty laundry. I have been cleaning his litterbox but to no avail, there is no pee clumps. So I tried to scolding him and removing the clothes but now the bathtub is a target. I haven't changed litter since I heard that cats are particular about that. I try playing with him but I can't do it since I work most of the time. I really would like some advice or something Much appreciated!!!!

Firstly, scolding Smitty isn't going to help the situation, though I do understand the frustration.

I highly suspect the problem is caused by him being intact. He's marking his territory.

The other cause could be a UTI.

Smitty needs a vet visit with a urinalysis to rule out a UTI/Crystals. If he is medically cleared, you'll have to wait until after he is neutered for the marking to be resolved. It takes 60 days for the hormones to get out if their system post neuter.

In the meantime, get some enzymatic cleaner (I like Nature's Miracle) and clean the areas where he has urinated/sprayed. This is the only way to remove the smell (to Smitty) out of the area.

Thank you so much!!! Could I find that at any store or do I have to go some place special 

Hello, first time cat owner, I truly believe the problem is that your kitty is not neutered.  Maybe once he is neutered the problem will go away. 

SmittyKitty1221 said:

 
Thank you so much!!! Could I find that at any store or do I have to go some place special 

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I second the suggestion for Nature's Miracle. It's available at pet stores like Petco and Petsmart and also through online retailers such as Amazon and Wag.com

Hi:

You could also try the cat attract herbs that you put in the litter box. It"s made by Dr. Elsey's. You can find it at Petsmart. You can also buy special litter that is meant for litter training. Yes, he needs to be neutered too.

Good luck!

Ok I will def get that This may sound like a stupid question but what is a good or appropriate way to punish a cat or let them know that what they did is wrong???

SmittyKitty1221 said:

Ok I will def get that This may sound like a stupid question but what is a good or appropriate way to punish a cat or let them know that what they did is wrong???

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As far as I understand there isn't one. Cat brains just don't work like that. They aren't (generally) like dogs who always try to please and get upset if they displease the alpha of the pack.

So... the only way to train a cat is to make them think that what they are doing is unpleasant and not worth the effort. Like, you can train them to stay off the coubter by covering it in double sided tape. Cat jumps up and gets sticky paws, cat dislikes sticky paws, cat decides it doesn't like the counter. But if you yell at the cat on the counter they just decide that their owner periodically becomes a horrible yelling beast and they definitely shouldn't go near that person because who knows what they might do? They don't associate the yelling with doing something wrong, just with the human being scary.

For the laundry... you could maybe you something lemon scented on it? Some cats really hate that and will stay away. But not bleach. Weirdly, that attracts cats and their pee (or so Ive heard). Or just... continue keeping it inaccessible until you can get him fixed and checked for utis.

The reaaon checkinh for urinary stuff is important is because if a cat has one it hurts to pee.... so they decide that the litter box must be hurting them and pee everywhere! Essentially having a uti will train a cat to pee all over the place. XD cats are weird

Reprimanding and punishing cats doesn't really work. In your case, your intact male is actually doing a biologically appropriate thing...marking his territory. So, punishing him for this will likely insure stress and confusion and make matters worse.

I'm not sure how long you have had Smitty; but, this is one very big reason why it is encouraged to have males neutered by 6 mo of age. The goal is to prevent the cat from spraying/marking in the first place.

Your best bet is to get him neutered ASAP.

**I do still want to add that a UTI or other medical issues need to be ruled out.**

Clean areas using the enzymatic cleaner. Getting Cat Attract litter and perhaps a few Feliway diffusers (buy from Amazon.com) for the house may also be beneficial.

Thank you all so very much!!! I've learned more in the past 24 hours than I have in a year lol which is sad. I'm going to try all your suggestions and post an update.

Here's an article that can help you -

Litterbox Problems in Cats - The Ultimate Guide

Since it's mostly a behavior problem, I'll move your thread to the cat behavior forum