Cat is peeing on our carpet

[Anonymous]

I'm not sure why. We were away a few weeks ago but I don't think it started until last week. I've cleaned the area as best I can with some enzyme cleaner. Cat still came back and peed again. I'm afraid my carpet might be ruined. We keep the litter box clean so I don't know why he is straying to the carpet.

1. Why is he doing this? We are taking him to the vet this week to rule out health issue.
2. What's the best way to clean the carpet to get the smell out and prevent him from returning?

[Anonymous]

There is no good way to clean the carpet. Your best option is to pull the carpet out and replace it. Make sure that whatever issue that caused the initial departure from the litterbox is resolved before replacing the carpet.

[Anonymous]

Cats are gross OP. Once they smell their urine, they think that is their toilet.

[Anonymous]

I wouldn't try to save the carpet. Carpet and pets really aren't compatible.

[Anonymous]

See what the vet has to say before you make any big decisions (pulling up the carpet, etc). In our cat's case, it was diabetes. Once he was diagnosed, on insulin, and feeling better, we were able to give the carpet a VERY thorough clean with enzymatic cleaner (make sure you SOAK the carpet so it also soaks the padding beneath, really way more than you think you should use, use a black light so you can see exactly where the cat has peed and cover the whole area), and the cat, now presumably feeling much better, is back to always using the litter box.

[Anonymous]

UTI. The cat has a uti, or a bladder infection. Or the litter box is not (as) clean as the cat likes it. Or the cat is old, sick and needs to be put down.

Take the cat to the vet to find out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Cats are gross OP. Once they smell their urine, they think that is their toilet.

+1

[Anonymous]

Animals and wall-to-wall carpets are usually not a good mix, even aside from urine. (And in my view, carpet is disgusting anyway. We pulled ours up to put in hardwoods and the filth trapped under the carpet and the underlying cushion was absolutely gross.)

I'd first take to the vet.

Then, I would soak the area (let it soak) in nature's miracle. After that, put some backing soda on the area as it helps with the odor. Then, COVER the area for awhile (puppy pads or foil or something) so he can't go there. Hopefully, that will help. You may even try containing him to a smaller room for a bit while you do that. Or at least keep him out of the room this has occurred in.

[Anonymous]

Been there, done that. It could be a health problem (cats will pee outside the box because they're hurting and upset about it). It could be nervousness (you left for a time and it freaked the cat out).

There are calming sprays on the market that could work. There are also cat anxiety meds (no, really). The problem is, once they pee on a carpet, they will keep coming back to that spot. If another animal peed or pooped there, it can be a way of repeatedly marking over the territory.

In our case, we had throw rugs. I bought a new one and the cat peed in the same spot on that one, too. So now we don't have a throw rug there and the behavior stopped.

Take your cat to the vet. There is no easy answer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Been there, done that. It could be a health problem (cats will pee outside the box because they're hurting and upset about it). It could be nervousness (you left for a time and it freaked the cat out).

There are calming sprays on the market that could work. There are also cat anxiety meds (no, really). The problem is, once they pee on a carpet, they will keep coming back to that spot. If another animal peed or pooped there, it can be a way of repeatedly marking over the territory.

In our case, we had throw rugs. I bought a new one and the cat peed in the same spot on that one, too. So now we don't have a throw rug there and the behavior stopped.

Take your cat to the vet. There is no easy answer.

I would also try putting a puppy pad or something similar over the spot -after cleaning it- for awhile. We had a dog with some health problems (she was also a bit of a jerk sometimes) and was peeing in one spot. Putting the pad over it for awhile after cleaning it really worked for us.

[Anonymous]

Take the cat to the vet -- like yesterday!