My Cat urinated on my sofa

[PrettyKitty1]

I happened to change his litter all of a sudden and that may be the problem.  I decided it would be best to get another brand because his old litter was making me sick..literally. My cat, being that he is obviously a feline, a creature of habit, didn't like his new litter and peed and pooped on my leather sofa overnight. I know he is not sick.  When I removed the new litter he seemed interested.  After that I placed a clean littern pan without litter.  He immediately jumped inside the box, showing interest in wanting to use it but with no litter he just wont do it.  I have to wait 2 hours until a pet shop opens. In the meantime what can I do to help him go? I can tell he really wants to go but he wants to do it on my leather sofa.  Going outside is a No No, I gave him a bath yesterday and he loves to get dirty when zi take him out for a walk, besides he gets annoying after tasting the smell of freedom je je je.  Poor thing....

How do I remove the odor from my sofa? I tried vinegar but apparently did not work as he wanted to go again on the sofa. It doesn't smell strong but it smells.  I am sure he smells the urine on my sofa and I don't want that.  I don't want my cat thinking my sofa is the bathroom.  I am not even done paying for it, that's the sad part. I am just praying he will not continue with this behavior once I get his old litter back.  Then the question will be.....but what about my health???????? Giving up my cat is not an option.  I love him, he is my baby, I have no kids and I spoil him very much. In the meantime, can anyone help me out with the odor issue?

[PrettyKitty1]

I have heard of that one. My husband wanted to get it but I said no, always fearing the fact that my cat's paws may be too sensitive as a result of the declawing.  Again, I have never noticed anything wrong with him as he runs jumps and never limps.  I guess I'm being overprotective and extra careful with him.

I think it is a good idea to get the one you mention as long as kitty doesn’t get hurt, of course, which I don't think it will.  Liquid cat repellents usually don't work. I have heard of bitter apple but for some people it is a waste of money. Others find it great and helpful and cheap as it only costs $5.00 online, so you wouldn't have to travel now that we are in the middle of gas crisis, like Savas mentions. But again, that's just trial and error those products they sell at the pet store. I'd rather go with something more drastic like electricity or noise je je je..what do you think?

Savas, I have never seen OFF!. Where do you get it?

[mrwjd]

I've never tried any of them.  I didn't used to have problems--this is the first generation I've had that experiments with other potty places.  I blame it on the Bengal!

I'm not familiar with the loud noise.  I have been looking on the 'net at one that gives their feet little static electric prickles if they walk on it.

[Savas]

I used something called "Off!" once, one of those liquids you put on a swatch and place on the area? The only real problem is while they work, your cat may just move over about 3 feet and do the same thing somewhere else.

It's a good way to stop them from doing it, as long as you take care of the original problem that caused kitty to "mess about".

I've found that with gas prices as we are, people are having to totally reevaluate their method of shopping. I'll admit the one good thing about the gas crisis is it may be helpful to small businesses. Large corporations rely on bargain rates on mass shippings to undercut the little people in business.
This doesn't help you with your problem, of course... I don't know why I even mentioned it. Just rambling, I guess. :)

[PrettyKitty1]

I personally haven't tried any cat repellents. I had my kitty declawed when he was very little in order to avoid having to use cat repellents on my couch, bed etc; but he lives a normal life, no limping or pain and he is not a biter but a sweet loving kitty who loves to play and complain.  

He hasn't pooped outside of the box since I got his old litter back.  He just wanted to feel his old litter.  I really am not sure what type of cat repellent I would use but I've heard there is one which you place wherever you want to and it'll make a loud noise when the cat approaches the target, thus scaring them away.  I think this is very effective. Cats hate loud bangs and noises so this method should only have to be used once as cats are very intelligent creatures.  I don't know the price though.....

Have you heard from it?

[mrwjd]

"I'll keep an eye on him.  If this situation continues, which I don't think it will, I'm going to have to go to plan B - Cat repellents."


One of our Burms has started going under my bed some of the time.  It's tile, so no permanent harm, but I kind of prefer a fresher atmosphere when I turn in.

Has anyone in Cats forum ever used a repellant?  Are any of them good, and how successful are they in general?

I'm seeing something called a Scat Mat.  It's quite expensive to get as an experiment, so if anyone has experience with that, will you let me know?

Thanks.

[PrettyKitty1]

You're right.  I do want my kitty to get the best attention and treatment.  He is very spoiled. My problem is that some groomers do a wonderful job for only $65.00. Unfortunately, I cannot take my kitty with them because it is way too far and gas prices are ridiculously high.  Miami is a huge city with a very heavy traffic. It would not make any sense to take kitty there.  Oh well, I guess it is what it is.  

Savas, thank you for your input. :)

[Savas]

Well, he is  DSH... but arguing price with a groomer (if you win) will just get you shoddier service. I'd say just make them aware of the fact that your cat is considered a DSH, but you won't object to paying a little extra for "Special treatment" for your "Special kitty" if it's deemed necessary. :)

Groomers are in that category of folks you want to keep happy, as the job they do is entirely reliant on how much they like you (and your pet).

I'd say find another groomer but I've heard some horror stories about people dealing with groomers who weren't clean, careful and experienced. If cost is the only issue, I'd probably let it lie myself.

You could always shave him down, and make a poodle cat out of him. Just sleep with the bedroom door locked and your cat in another room or revenge will be imminent! :)

[PrettyKitty1]

You know how hard it is to actually know what a cat's background is if the cat is not purebred.  I really don't know what his background is.  The only thing I was told is his mom is very pretty although I have never seen her, and his dad is a black stray cat, so I guess my fuzzy wuzzy looks more like his mom.  Thing is I am being charged so much by the groomer. I find it ridiculous.  He is not even fully grown and, like you said, not a medium haired kitty. Am I cheap? The groomer told me his coat was too thick and his hair wasn't as short as other DSH cats.  I think she just wants more money, that's all.  I know he doesn't look like other DSH kitties but that doesn't mean he isn't one, right?

Thank you Savas. I really appreciate your input. Tell your wife I say Thank you!  I saw pictures of your friends.  They are gorgeous. I love T.F.  There is a shelter close to where I live closing due to lack of funds.  Hundreds of cats and dogs will have to be euthanized if they can't be found good homes.  I'm so sad about it......

[Savas]

My wife has identified your cat as a very fuzzy wuzzy. :)

Actually, she says it looks like a handsome version of the american short haired (tabby cat!).
It is a rare known fact that an American Short Hair rode with Paul Revere on his midnight ride (someone had to give him directions in the dark!)

The unusually thick fur/coat with the slightly longer length would suggest some sort of mix in his distant gene pool. He's not stocky enough to be a British short hair but the coat reminds me of one. Do you have any idea of what his background is?

[PrettyKitty1]

Could you look at my cat's pictures and tell me if he is a DSH or a DMH? I know you've had lots of experience with cats. If you need more pictures I can upload some more.  I find some resemblance with Angora here and there but I know he is not purebred, which I could care less about.  He is beautiful to me.  He's got a lot of hair and his tail is extremely thick and fluffy like an Angora's, but bigger. Just by looking at his pictures could you tell if he is a DSH or a DMH? I was asked such question at the groomer the other day.  Yes, I take my cat to the groomer every once in a while as he gets matted and hates it when people try to cut the matts, so I rely on professionals to do that for me.  Thing is I am being charged $95.00....I find it ridiculously expensive because he isn't fully grown. He is only 1 years old and I know he'll keep growing. Can you imagine how much they'll charge me when the cat reaches adulthood at his max????. He weights almost 12 pounds but he isn't fat although he is neutered (He has been putting on 1 lb per month). Really he isn't overweight.  What do you think Savas?

Comments from the community are more than welcome...

[PrettyKitty1]

I got Nature's Miracle after posting here.  I spoke with the store personnel and they said the same thing Savas, that I had to be careful with the dicoloration issue. I am spraying the couch every 3 hours and it has not shown any signs of discoloration...yet. When my husband arrives we will attack the inside because I know there is acid from my cat's urine still there.  I got his litter back..Fresh Step.  As soon as I finished pouring litter into the box I put him in and he started sniffing it to make sure that the litter was the one he is used to.  Then he spent one full minute urinating, poor thing, he had been trying to go since forever. I did notice him very uncomfortable and wanting to go to the bathroom ASAP.  My soul came back to my body and I felt at ease at that moment.  God knows I don't want a cat urinating on my couch and a husband wanting to get rid of it by taking him to the nearest shelter.....not that I would ever allow that of course but it would affect my marriage to a certain level. By the same talking, he is my cat and I totally love him.

I'll keep an eye on him.  If this situation continues, which I don't think it will, I'm going to have to go to plan B - Cat repellents. Let's just see if he keeps going to the litter box.

Thanks Savas.  Great help!!

[Savas]

Pick up a product called "Nature's Miracle" from the pet store. It will totally remove the odor so even your cat can't smell it.

My only worry is discoloration (it is leather)...but that's going to be an issue anyway if you don't get it fully off (urine stains cause discoloration, especially of leather, over time).

Otherwise, you may have to experiment with other litters. Keep around a bit of the old one until you can find one you're both happy with in case of emergency.