On Nov 24, 8:47*pm, AR wrote:
Thanks everyone. I think he's about 8 or 9. A tenant left him. He was
a used cat ;-). He still has a waist, but his stomach hangs a bit. The
behavior started right after I had locked him the bathroom for a half
hour as he wasn't allowing my mom to eat in peace. He peed on the rug
there.We kept the rug up until needed and the behavior stopped even
though there were other rugs he had access to.. I heard rubber backing
attracts them and they are all rubber backed. He also uses the litter
box to pee. I will pay more attention to the amount and scent. He
seems to do though as a protest when he doesn't get what he wants. He
doesn't seem to drink that much. He uses his litter box most of the
time and starts peeing on the rugs when he doesn't get his way or
wants to annoy me.. He hadn't peed on the other rugs for several
months after we took the other one up, but started to in the last few
weeks. I read if there is an infection they associate the litter box
with pain and pee on something soft, but he uses the box daily. He
seems fine otherwise. He does run away when I yell at him.

He's always gone out although I know he shouldn't as he's declawed. I
love to watch him run outside and he can't do that indoors. He will
get heavier I would think. I just don't think it's fair to keep him in
to sit around all day, and sleep and eat. We have loads of windows he
can perch next to and look out, but don't they also need to run and
get exercise? We still let him out it's just not at exactly the time
he wants. *He meows his head off and then gets ****ed off literally if
I won't let him out! I don't want to let him out of the apt. as if I
can't go down and open the front door, and no one else lets him out he
pees in the basement as there's no litter box there.

Thanks again guys for all your help.

You have a lot going on. DO test for a urinary infection, diabetes or
kidney stones before engaging in any disciplinary behavior. Further to
that, if your cat is a good eater (and 16 pounds might suggest that)
you might try getting nutmeg grater and grating a *SMALL* amount of
natural Vitamin C into his food every other day until you have a good
diagnosis for any other problems (and tell your Vet that you are doing
this). This will serve to acidify his urine which will help dissolve
stones (if that is the problem) and flush out any sort of fungal
infection. It WILL NOT help any other sort of infection - but it will
cause a small amount of burning if there is such an infection - and
your cat's reaction will be indicative. Our vet strongly suggests the
Vitamin C treatment for male cats prone to stones as a continuing
preventative treatment, and whenever treating for an infection
suggests it as a palliative during the rest of the treatment. Small =
a few mg. no more. Natural, so that it will not repel the cat. It will
not help for diabetes at all.

Consider that a cat that has been declawed would be as if you had your
fingers cut off at the first knuckle. It is a painful procedure when
it happens and causes continuing irritation for the rest of the cat's
life. You did state that this was a 'used' cat - from the fact that it
has beend declawed it has been very badly used. How you got it - as an
abandoned left-over - suggests the same. Likely the cat bites a bit
more than normal - adaptation to not having claws with which to signal
displeasure. Do understand that cats with this handicap must never be
outdoors without supervision. They are utterly helpless if attacked,
cannot climb properly and cannot even run properly should they need
claws for traction. This adds to your complications.

So, verify that it is healthy. Treat it for any problems you discover.
Once treated, there are enzymatic solvents to remove any traces of old
urine and gentle behavior modification will take care of the rest.

A couple of cautions when it comes to cleaning:

a) Bleach: Do not use bleach immediately around your cat. It is a
perfectly acceptable cleaning agent as long as your cat is not
directly exposed to it or will not walk on a wet bleached surface
(then licking its paws). As you keep reading, bleach may become more
and more attractive.

b) Pine-Sol or any Pine-Oil cleaner: Don't. Ever. Pine oils are
analogous to Phenols and cause quick and often permanent damage to any
of the cat species, large or small. They contain terpenes which
damages their livers and by extension their kidneys. Read any cleaner
labels and keep away from anything containing terpenes (pine oils).
Similarly menthol - less toxic, but still related to terpenes.

c) Anything at all containing Phenol - liquid Lysol or _ANY_ similar
material. Just don't. Toxic in microscopic amounts, fatal in tiny
amounts, and typically such cleaners are designed to leave a
antiseptic residue - not good.

The general rule-of-thumb around cats is any cleaner or solvent that
goes 'milky' in water should be avoided.

You will get through this and the both of you will be happier for it.

Peter Wieck
Melrose Park, PA