On Nov 23, 11:46*am, AR wrote:
We have a 16 lb. nuetered American shorthair that's the man of the
house. If he meows and I don't let him out he goes and pees on my
kitchen rug a few minutes later! He shows his displeasure in peeing on
any rug he can find if he doesn't like something. He also pees in the
little box, and I'm sure this is spite. I've taken up any rug I can,
and have put citronella oil the rest, but no dice. He free feeds and I
have replaced his food dish with the soiled rug for a few hours so he
would get the idea, brought him over to the soiled rug and yelled at
him, put his food dish on top of that rug as I know cats won't eat
where they pee, but he just went over to the other side to access the
dish.

OK, I admit the cat has won! He is very smart, and obviously smarter
than me! Any ideas?

Um... some questions:

a) How old is your cat?
b) Is this new behavior?
c) Is he just large, or is he obese?
d) Has he always had access to the outside?

Aging and/or a change in behavior can be indicative of physical
problems underlying this activity. If he is borderline diabetic, he
will be thirsty most of the time, drink a lot, and have continuous
urgency to urinate. Or, as is often the case, neutered males will have
a (relatively) small urethra and be prone to bladder infections and/or
kidney stones. Being overweight can contribute to all of the above and
if left untreated the results can be very bad - even fatal - and can
progress very, very rapidly.

If he has always had access to the outside, and now you are trying to
stop him, he may act out - but it will very rarely be by scent-marking
or random urination. If, like most cats, he is just on the wrong side
of every door then his outdoor demands may be linked to a physical
condition.

Things you can do - yeah, they seem a little gross - smell his pee, if
you can. Does it have even the slightest sweet scent? Does he pee only
a little bit at a time? Does he run when you scream at him or does he
hold his ground?

Any sweet scent -any at all!! - get him tested SOONEST! That is the
first identifiable obvious indication of diabetes. You can also get a
sugar test at your vet if you can collect enough urine. This is only
an indicator - not proof that he has diabetes, by the way. But it does
give you a place to start.

If he pees only a little at a time, that is often an indication of a
bladder infection or stones.

If he holds his ground, he is definitely not well - he is doing what
he does because he must for some physical reason. His eating next to
his pee is another indication of distress as you are correct in
believing that they prefer to keep those activities separate.

If he has any of the indications noted above and you just lock him in
a small room and hope to modify his behavior - you may as well watch
him die. However, if he is entirely healthy that is a way to do it. Be
sure of your cause before you design the cure.

Peter Wieck
Melrose Park, PA