Ask the Vet: Cats Peeing All Over!

My cats are threatening my marriage.  They’re peeing all over the house.  Even on the couches and beds.  My husband wants me to get rid of them, and if I didn’t love them so much, I’d be tempted myself.  Do you have any suggestions?

This is one of the most common and frustrating problems people encounter when co-habitating with cats.  For starters, I’d recommend that you refer to my article “Managing Multiple Cats.”

I have a few additional suggestions:

1. Make sure your litter boxes are clean.  I cannot overemphasize the importance of this.  Many cats are so fastidious that they would prefer using almost any surface to relieve themselves rather than set food in an unacceptably full (to their eyes) litter box. This can include a couch, bed, rug, even the kitchen stove!
2. Try using different litters in different boxes.  Some cats like recycled paper pellets, others prefer wheat, still others are drawn to clay and then there are those who will use nothing but soil.  But please keep in mind that some cats will get upset if the kind of litter is abruptly changed.  Then they commence doing you know what…urinating in places other than their litter boxes.  For this reason, I recommend either having multiple litter boxes with different litters or transitioning to new litters gradually by mixing the old with the new.
3. Try a product called Precious Cat Ultra Litter Attractant or a related product called Cat Attract, which is an herbal additive that can be mixed with non-scented clay litter.  Both products contain a proprietary blend of herbs that, as the names imply, help attract cats to the litter box, thereby encouraging them to use it.  The manufacturer of Cat Attract guarantees its product and will kindly refund your money in the case that your cat is not, in fact, attracted to the litter.

If all else fails, try an animal communicator for your cat.  Or some valium for your husband.  And take solace in the knowledge that you’re not alone.

Got a question? Email Dr. Kassell!