Need cat problems advice!!

**Chea** · 03-10-2005, 08:38 PM

My dh put down new hardwood floors in the dining room. Looks AWESOME but one of my cats keeps PEEING on it!! Needless to say if my dh finds out he will FREAK.
His litter box is clean and this cats never done this before. Any ideas??

**AmyMCGS** · 03-10-2005, 10:54 PM

Did the cat have a box in that room before? Has the hardwood floor taken over what the cat sees as "his" territory? Does the cat not like DH? Is the floor getting more attention than the cat?

One of our cats took a liking to a new rug I'd bought-- she peed on it daily, even while being sprayed with a water bottle (which she hates!) she wouldn't stop-- she'd just look at us and keep going. We laid down tin foil over it, which cats are known to hate, and still she peed there. So, finally, DH took her to the vet, who diagnosed a bladder infection and prescribed antibiotics, and within a day of starting the medicine the behavior stopped. The vet couldn't tell us why the cat chose that one area over and over, but, the medicine took care of the problem and she's never done it again since then. It might be worth a quick visit to the vet to see if anything physical is causing the behavior.

Good luck!

**Lori Biever-Launder** · 03-19-2005, 01:34 AM

Heather, cystitis (bladder infection) can be aggravated by high ash content cat food. Check your label and see what it says. If your kitty DOES have this problem, a change of food is in order. You may need a prescription food.

**kestrel91316** · 03-19-2005, 08:20 PM

Amy MCGS is absolutely correct......you need to get kitty evaluated for a bladder infection as this is a leading cause of inappropriate urination. Diet plays a major role in bladder disease in cats also, and these won't have an infection per se, but they have an irritated bladder nonetheless. You must avoid all fish and fish products due to the magnesium content which contributes to bladder problems, and should avoid cheap dry food as it usually leads to alkaline urine (bad). Even if the cat's bladder is healthy, there are things you can do about this. You don't have to live with it. Most cats can be helped.

I know whereof I speak. I am a cat veterinarian. PM me if you have more questions.

**dhmunoz** · 03-20-2005, 08:20 AM

Excellent advice already given re: feline bladder infections. If by chance the cat is NOT suffering from a bladder infection, the problem might be the smell of whatever the hardwood has been treated with. Some chemicals remind cats of the smell of urine and they will try to re-mark their territory. One of my cats used to (well, he probably still would if I left any laying around!) pee on black garbage bags, the big lawn-type ones. I had him checked by the vet and he was fine, but I was told that one of the compounds used in making those bags had a smell similar to cat urine and that is what was probably causing him to do that. I don't leave any bags out. LOL

**Mamawolf** · 03-21-2005, 09:47 AM

I've had this problem, except with mine pooping on my unfinished basement floor. I had her checked out, and my vet just said it's a behavior problem. Anytime I take the pets in everything is a behavior problem!

What're the odds of that? For any future problems I'm going to another vet. I finally have locked the cat door to the basement, moved everything up here, and I use Swheat Scoop litter so when I clean out the box daily, I can just flush it. She is doing well so far! Cross my fingers, it's only been 2 weeks. She had the problem for 4 years!

**Chea** · 03-21-2005, 07:26 PM

Well I cleaned the floor and used a vinegar solution. Not b/c I thought that would help the cat problem but just a frugal non-toxic wash. Haven't had any problems in over a week so crossing my fingers. I checked my cat food and due to my Siamese having a sensitive tummy he has to have a certain kind so maybe its just the newness texture something or other?? ....... If it keeps up we'll check it out at the vets next. Mine is an awesome guy. Thanks for the advice.