Question: Help Please! I have a year and a half old Bengal cat. She is beautiful, sweet and full of energy. However she pees on everything in the house. Towels, tables, couches, chairs, any thing high or low-potted plants, anything.
I have 3 litter boxes and have taken to walking her to her boxes when I get up in the morning and come home in the evening to watch her use it. But, she continues to pee on everything. I’ve tried the organic spray deterrents, garlic and red pepper in plants-but am at my wits end. My house stinks. I took her to the vet when she started this behavior about 9 months ago. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.
Answer: Thanks for writing in. Unfortunately what you are describing is not an uncommon problem. The best solution to this problem is trying to enrich her environment (called Multi-modal Environmental Enrichment).
Cats have many unique stressors and solutions often go far beyond just litterbox management. You didn’t mention whether you have other cats but if so, the first thing to address is the “1+1” rule—for every 1 cat there must be “1+1” resources. So for example, 2 cats = 3 litterboxes, 3 food bowls, 3 water bowls, 3 scratching posts, 3 perching places, etc.
We often find that affected cats find pleasure and will be enriched if they are allowed leash time outdoors for 20 to 30 minutes each day. The approach often needs to be wide-ranging and many things tried to determine what she will find enjoyable. Here is a website with some good ideas and information: The Indoor Pet Initiative – For Cat Owners
Good luck.
Dr. Donna Spector
Answers provided to pet owners by Dr. Donna Spector should be considered information and not specific advice. Answers are to be used for general information purposes only and not as a substitute for in-person evaluation or specific professional advice from your veterinarian. Communications on this site are very limited and should never be used in possible cases of emergency.
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