Does this happen to anyone else? It is ruining our new sofa, and we keep cleaning it the best we can, but she is destroying it. I tried No-Go, which is sold at the pet store and supposed to keep them from going on stuff. Their litter boxes are always clean. A few years ago, I took my cat to the vet and she told be that my cat is depressed and needs some Prozac, seriously, but how is one supposed to afford/believe that? Any ideas? (BTW, we have 3 cats, and all are fixed except one, and age from 3-8 years old.)
I think the reason is territorial marking - you do say the sofa is new. The cat that is highest in the heirarchy of the 3 is marking the sofa. What I would try is: keep the cat (or all the cats) away from the sofa for a few days (especially when you're not there to observe her). Praise her every time she goes in the litterbox. Allow the cat in the same room as the sofa _only_ when you're there and can pay attention to her. When she starts preparing to pee sniffing around on the sofa, crouching, etc., pick her up and closet yourself with the cat and the litterbox in another room / bathroom. When she uses the litterbox, praise her. Another version... put aluminum foil or double-sided tape for a while on the sofa. That should keep the cats from going up on it. Aluminum foil may be removed when there are guests / the sofa will be used very easily...
sara beth some cats just seem to find a place too pee unfortnutly its your sofa .. even with clean litter boxes .it may have poblems take it to the vet see if theres something going on with her..spray your sofa with pet off..pay a lil more attetion to her i know what you mean my vet told me my dog was a nut case and suggested prozac...all the sudden prozacs the answer in pets now..i suggested he go to hell...played more with her and she seems a lil better...good luck
I knew a cat who did this because he was lonely. His owners spent more time with him and he stopped doing it. Litter box problems are also a common cause, but it sounds like you have that one under control. Putting him outside for the evening might just make whatever the problem is worse. He won't get why you're doing it and it could cause resentment. Giving him a little spritz of water could help, but be careful about doing it too much.
First of all, In my opinion, do not use a water spray bottle on your pet. It will only stress it out more as any physical discipline will. Second, cleaning the litter boxes daily may help. Cats like clean litterboxes. I prefer the scoopable litter. Makes cleaning much easier. Third, if your cat has already peed on your sofa, how did you get the scent out? Try using those enzyme cleaners which eat the odor causing bacteria, You do not want the cat returning to urinate or spray in the same place. It sounds like he is trying to communicate something. He is unhappy about something. Get a sisal rope scratching post sprinkled with catnip? This might get his mind off what is bothering him. Place a washable waterproof mattress cover with fitted sheet temporarily over your couch. The urine won't soak into your sofas fabric and you can wash out the accidents. Do you give your kitty attention for 10-15 minutes immediately when you come home from work or do you just ignore him? Try giving it more attention, toys, catnip, calm environment, and treats now and then. Maybe it is just seeking more attention. If he does pee on the sofa while you are home don't yell at it or punish it in any way. This will only create stress for him. Gently pick him up and place him in a just cleaned litter box and sroke his head afterwards. Reward his good behaviour when he does pee in the litter box with a treat, extra attention, or catnip and he may eventually learn that using the litter box is a positive experience. Also, I believe many things can upset animals, like household commotion, loud music or noises, harsh or toxic cleaning chemicals or room and carpet deodorizors. Do some more research online. there is a wealth of information out there and something will work. It just takes time, patience, compassion, and understanding. Good Luck.
