Fat cat peeing on couch?

**eofelis** · 02-23-2008, 01:16 PM

One of our two cats has been intermittently peeing on our couch. It's a second hand futon ($40) so that's not a huge deal.

We think it is Ivan, out 7yo male Maine Coon Cat (type). After doing a bit of research online, we decided to have a vet look at him first, which we did this morning.

Other than being overweight, and he's on half-rations of Neutro "indoor-fat-cat-food" he weighs 21lbs! She didn't find anything wrong. She sent us home with a kit to try to get a urine sample to test on Monday.

We may have to try different food with him, to get his weight down at least.
I'm going out to try to find some of that Nature's Miracle spray for the couch. I'm also going to get a waterproof cover (full bed size to put on the futon mattress. The futon mattress has a cover, then we have been putting a full size sheet over that too. We do have a mattress cover on our queen bed, under the sheets, etc.

If we have to replace the futon mattress, it's no big deal I guess.

**leezza** · 02-23-2008, 02:36 PM

Well you already did what I would suggest by taking him to the Vet......

*Could it be a smell that was on the futon from another cat perhaps he is marking his territory????

*Have you done anything recently to make him angry??? Been away from home, changed schedule, closed a door on a room he is used to going into?? Have you had any new additions to the family???

*Just some idea's cats have their own personality and the only time my cat ever did something like this is when she was ill.

JMHO,
leezza

**pkellyc** · 02-23-2008, 02:46 PM

Try changing the kitty litter. I tried a different litter at one point and my cat started urinating on my area rugs. When I switched back she stopped.

**YankeeMom** · 02-23-2008, 03:04 PM

I have the same problem w/ my fat male maine coon (he's 20lbs) Caspi. He intermittently pees (not huge amounts either) on dh's side of the bed. Never enough to go through the blankets & to the mattress, thank goodness. But enough to be annoying. We finally just said the hell with it and we cover the bed in plastic after we get out of it in the morning

We tried Nature's Miracle, but since it's always on the bedding (3 different kinds too) it gets washed away every time I wash the bedding.

**RABBIT** · 02-23-2008, 06:56 PM

I wonder why the vet didn't just get a urine sample today? If he suddenly started doing this I would suspect a UTI but if he's been doing it off and on for awhile it's probably for another reason, who knows with cats.

My sister's fat cat was peeing upstairs (his litter box was downstairs) and I suggested she put another box upstairs and to use Attract cat litter for a couple of weeks. It's supposedly 90% effective in getting cats to use the litter box again. This worked for her cat. Maybe it's something you could try?

Just curious, how does the kit that they sent you home with work?

**PAVallygrl** · 02-23-2008, 07:08 PM

I had a problem with my fat male Maine Coon cat several years ago peeing/trying to pee where he wasn't supposed to. Turned out he was "blocked" Apparently Male Maine Coons suffer from little crystals blocking their urethras - that could be why the Vet wants a urine sample on him to see if there are any crystals in the urine. It's pretty painful and Poor Garfield had to be operated on to remove the blockage and he lost 1/2 his bladder during the whole ordeal. Make sure to get that Urine sample back to the Vet ASAP!!! If he is blocked the Vet will put you on a special Vet only diet for him that is low in Ash content. I wish you and your kitty luck and let us know how everything works out.

**eofelis** · 02-23-2008, 07:18 PM

The vet sent us home with a little jar of "Nosorb" pellets that need to be put in a clean litter tray, hoping the kitty will piddle in there and then it is poured into the vial and returned to the vet to analyze. I don't know why they didn't get a sample while I was there.

I maybe see a pattern here with fat maine coon cat males.....

**AmeliaM** · 02-23-2008, 09:48 PM

Actually Main Coons are a large breed of cat...and they have a lot of hair that makes them look fluffy. They are usually solid though. My mom has two-one is only part( he does have the M) and he is def a bit tubby ,but her other one is a full blown solid as a rock huge cat...they are both males and both fixed....and yes they can have some issues w a build up. Or if it's pretty much in one spot he may be claiming as his.

[ame]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maine_Coon[/ame]

http://www.fanciers.com/breed-faqs/maine-coon-faq.html

They take a lot longer than the standard cat to reach full size....4-5 years...heck my domestic short hair is almost 3 and he has finally beefed up(no not fat-he has a chest and his head is more angular) and looks like a boy-he was always on the dainty side...the poor thing. He was absolutely teeny next to my mom's cats. And the younger one is just over a year.

**Marie78** · 02-24-2008, 09:49 AM

It might have been a smell on the futon that the cat didn't like or was trying to make his own. Maybe the nature's miracle spray and then the waterproof cover will mask the smell (his urine odor and whatever he was trying to mark).

**Sari** · 02-24-2008, 10:11 AM

Any male cat can be blocked, not just Maine Coons.

Did your vet discuss the possibility of diabetes?

**bRATmom** · 02-24-2008, 11:43 AM

time for new vet... they should have gotten a sample that day to test.

also, *IF* per chance your cat does have diabetes... dont panic, I have a diabetic dog... two shots a day... easy peasy. (also have a diabetic son... many shots a day, easy peasy...

)

**PrairieRose** · 02-24-2008, 12:34 PM

I have raised persians before and wanted to add;

It's been my experience that once a cat starts this type of behaviour it's very difficult if not impossible to break.

It usually get worse. I had a cat put down b/c of it, and it was even outside. She was peeing on all of the patio cushions and even on the hottub cover and grill. I've never seen anything to beat it. Nothing made any difference at all with her. I hope you get it figured out, if it's a health problem I'm sure he'll feel better if you get it fixed.

**many houseapes** · 02-24-2008, 07:01 PM

my mom used to have this huge cat named Kostoryz & he did the same thing, it turned out that he had a blockage & was constantly getting bladder infections - also, the vet said that neutering would be helpful. Along w/ treating the blockage through surgery & put on a diet of NO FISH, Kostoryz lived to be the ripe old age of 21

**eofelis** · 03-19-2008, 11:17 AM

Kind of an update.

Ivan went to the vets and got checked over and his urine tested. No diabetes signs, a few crystals in his urine. He was put on antibiotics for 10 days and a new diet to get his weight down.

He has been doing well, no more accidents for a couple weeks.

But this am I get up to see that someone has peed on the couch again. Sigh.

I just changed the cover sheet (double bed sheet) on the couch (it's a futon) last night so I know it's new. Fortunately I put a waterproof cover on the futon under the zippered cover and cover sheet.
As I type this I just caught him on the couch scratching at the spot he peed on and I made noise and chased him off and put him in the bathroom.

He'll be confined to the bathroom for while again until I figure out what to do.

**M55FF** · 03-19-2008, 11:19 AM

maybe try some apple bitters that you can find at the pet stores... spray the couch and futon.
Might work, might not work but worth a try.

poor kitty.