Need a Quick Housekeeping Tip

[lovinwdw]

I know this sounds gross. My DH's cat keeps peeing in my dining room. I have tried the plug ins (with cat pheramones), I don't know what else to do!!! Can anyone give me a tip on how to get the smell completely out of hardwood floors. We don't smell it, but there has to be a reason why the cat keeps going back there. I use bleach and then I wipe the bleach up with a Clorox wipe. HELP!!!

 

[pumba]

we bought something from the pet store and it was very expensive but GUARANTEED to rid the smell. Of course the stain didn't go away so we had to buy a new rug...
it is for rugs or floors

 

[lovinwdw]

we bought something from the pet store and it was very expensive but GUARANTEED to rid the smell. Of course the stain didn't go away so we had to buy a new rug...
it is for rugs or floors

It is on a hardwood floors. He also did it on a rug in one of the bedrooms, but I planned on changing the rug eventually anyway. I am more worried about the floors in the dining room. What was the name of the stuff you used?

 

[clarabelle]

make sure it is a product with enzymes.
Also can the cat see another cat from the window of that room?
The cat may feel like its territory is being invaded and it needs to mark it.
Make sure there are not other cats in your yard so your cat will feel secure in its territory.
I saw on a TV show where they took a rag and wiped it all over the cat. Then they took the rag and wiped it around the areas it was marking. It quit spraying because it could smell itself and did not feel the need to mark its territory. Just an idea -I am not sure if it works- but it would not hurt to try

 

[Tigger&Belle]

OMG, I thought you said that your DH was peeing in the dining room.

Phew, too bad about the cat, but I'm glad it's not your DH.

First of all, have the cat checked by the vet. Sometimes health problems can cause peeing. Then treat the area well with the enzyme cleaner, being careful to get it everywhere the cat might have peed. The pet store sells black lights which will detect urine (and everything else) and that way you can make sure there are no other areas.

Make sure the litterbox is kept sifted often. Did you change litters, the location of the box, etc?

Good luck and hang in there--I've gone through that in the past with our old cats.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Of course first thing is to take the cat to the vet, it may have a UTI. Priority one if you haven't done so.

It think it may be impossible to get it out of hardwood. Not only that it will turn the wood black.

I would use an enzyme cleaner and then put a bowl of food where it is going or the litterbox. Go to Petmart they have plenty of urine cleaners.

You have to retrain the cat. In the past we have confined our cats to a crate and retrained them to use the litterbox.

 

[mrsv98]

Nature's Miracle is a product with enzymes that will get rid of the odor. However, you are supposed to spray and leave it on so I am not sure you should use it on hardwood floors. Try going to the pet store and seeing what they suggest. This is the one thing that drives me batty about cats, once they start it is almost impossibel to get them to stop.

 

[Crankyshank]

We had the same problem with one of my dogs. for some reason he all of a sudden started marking my dining room set and since there was a dark colored area rug we didn't notice it until the stain set into the hardwood and there were black stains.
We used urine-off and it did a fantastic job of removing the scent and most of the stain, but it did leave a grey filmy stain which they say will come out if we refinish the floors. nature's miracle didn't stop the smell at all for us- but it does work for cleaning carpets.
http://www.urine-off.com/Directions.aspx

We took him to the vet and he didn't have a UTI or anything medically wrong with him. After about a month of constant cleaning, taking him out pretty much every hour, and almost banishing him to the basement during the day, he stopped.
we still have the plastic sheet covering the area rug just in case he starts again. it might look odd but it sure beats the wood floors getting even more ruined.

 

[lovinwdw]

We don't have any cats wandering outside. A few months ago we took in a new cat, my nieces 9 year old cat. I thought they were getting used to eachother...I guess I was wrong. This is his thing. We have taken him to the vet before to check for a UTI...nothing. We lock them in the basement together during the day. We had started letting them out at night, but I can't have this animal destroying my new house!! I will set up a nice place for them in the basement for while we are at work and while we are asleep. While we are awake and home they will be allowed to roam the house. This cat has always been very distructive. Even when he lived at home with my DH and his parents. He scrathes everything in site and he pees wherever he wants. I know I may sound a little bitter, but I am not a cat person to begin with...so to have to deal with this is driving me bananas!!!!

 

[lovinwdw]

Not only that it will turn the wood black.

OMG!!!! I am freaking out!!!! How do I stop the floor from turning black??? The floor has recently been refinished by the previous owners. Please tell me that the clear coating over the wood will protect it!!! GRRRRR....I am about to lose my mind here!!

 

[SC Minnie]

Good luck. Our cat (the one in my sig) started peeing on the floor about 6 months after we moved into our house- he was 6yo at the time. He didn't like children (he was afraid of them) and there were several in the neighborhood that would come play with DD. They never bothered him or anything.

He was checked out by the vet and was OK. The vet gave me some enzyme stuff to use but it didn't really work. This cat would pee right in front of you while you were looking at him and he staring at you.

We finally had to give him to my mother. She lives in the country and he stays outside now. I love his cat but he is a mean old cuss.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I agree with checking with the vet. When our cat roams the house to pee--10 times out of 10 times, he's developed crystals in his urine (and ultimately that means someone snuck him fish containing food) and he needs antibiotics.

Never use bleach with urine---the chances are great fora chemical reaction (I found this out the hard way once and was surprised to see "smoke" from the reaction--Ammonia and Chlorine do NOT mix! Ooops!).


I would try an enzyme cleaner and perhaps call the company that refinished the floors and see what they suggest. If it continues--you will end up needing to have your floors stripped and refinished. Must get your cat to not use the DR as the litterbox.

 

[clarabelle]

Have you tried separate litter boxes? One for each cat?

 

[lovinwdw]

Have you tried separate litter boxes? One for each cat?

Yes...they both have their own litter boxes on complete opposite sides of the basement and they both of their own water and food bowls on the opposite sides.

 

[Skylarr29]

Is he fixed. If not you might want to asap. Most male cats spray when they are not fixed. Fixing him will most likely stop the spraying if he is not fixed... and if he is fixed then I dont know what is going on.

 

[lovinwdw]

Is he fixed. If not you might want to asap. Most male cats spray when they are not fixed. Fixing him will most likely stop the spraying if he is not fixed... and if he is fixed then I dont know what is going on.

He is fixed. The problem is my DH found him in a Dumpster and he wasn't fixed until he was 1 1/2 years old. So...unfortunately, he does still spray sometimes. In fact, I had posted a few weeks ago...he sprayed on my bed, right on top of my dog who was sleeping under the covers.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

So you have a dog that sleeps with you, took in a new cat recently, and you are not a cat person. For lack of a better word the cat is "peed" off and is literally showing it.

He does not feel like he belongs so he marks his territory. A cat is just like a dog when it comes to wanting to be an "alpha" of the house. It sounds as if he has been "replaced".

Since you have a dog I suppose you cannot put food bowls down where he goes.

I like the idea someone else metioned of rubbing a cloth on him and then putting his scent all over the place. I did see that episode of "Barking Mad", I think? I forget what else they did.

How does your dh want to handle this?

 

[lovinwdw]

So you have a dog that sleeps with you, took in a new cat recently, and you are not a cat person. For lack of a better word the cat is "peed" off and is literally showing it.

He does not feel like he belongs so he marks his territory. A cat is just like a dog when it comes to wanting to be an "alpha" of the house. It sounds as if he has been "replaced".

Since you have a dog I suppose you cannot put food bowls down where he goes.

I like the idea someone else metioned of rubbing a cloth on him and then putting his scent all over the place. I did see that episode of "Barking Mad", I think? I forget what else they did.

How does your dh want to handle this?

Yeah...I think so. But, like I said, he has been doing this since my DH found him about 10 years ago. He has peed in different places in every house he has ever lived in. DH agrees that they have to be locked up at night. I just can't take the chance that he destroys my house. The dog has been sleeping with us since we got him over 4 years ago. The cat and the dog used to both sleep in the bed. They love each other. They play together. I think it is the new cat who is putting a wrench in the deal. But, I can't give him up. He is my sister/niece's cat. My sister passed away last year and I can't bear the thought of someone else having him or of him being put to sleep if he should go to a shelter. We are just going to have to make this work!!!

 

[Tiggeroo]

i've had cats do this. First we got rid of the smell completely. Then we have done one of two things. You could, for a short time try keeping a litter box right near where he's doing this. I've also take the cat back to ground one. I"ve put him in a bathroom or other small space with the litter pan. Then i've given him a bit more room, then a bit more room. I'd keep him confined when i was out or at night too. There are certain spaces, such as the basement and attic, where i'd never allow the cat with this problem. Is there a way to give him more limited freedom for a time?
I have actually found a new home for a cat because of this. Some animals don't do well in certain environments/combinations of pets,kids,etc.

 

[lovinwdw]

I want everyone to know...this cat is loved more than you can imagine. My DH absolutely adores this cat. The cat will walk on him in the middle of the night for attention and my DH doesn't get mad, he gets up and pets him. This cat definitely has not been "replaced" by any other animal. I have always been a dog person. When my DH and I first moved in together, I was miserable because all I wanted was a dog...so we got Jack. I absolutely adore him...he is my baby. Believe me...the cat holds no resentment towards either one of us for that. The cat and the dog romp around the house and play fight all of the time. There will be times that they are chasing each other and pouncing on one another.

DH and I have never seen eye to eye when it comes to the cat. Especially with the whole peeing situation. But, I do want everyone to know, this cat pretty much lives in the lap of luxary...treats, toys, blankets, beds and lots and lots of love.