Hi everyone, we have a 3-year-old spayed tortoiseshell cat, and in the three months since we moved, it's as if she's taking it out on our new sofa. She pees on it whenever she gets the chance. Repellents don't work, so we’ve been putting aluminium foil on it because she doesn't like the feel of it. Just earlier, in the time it took me to set the table, she’d already peed on it (I hadn't put the foil back yet...). The armrest is the only spot she leaves alone because she sleeps there. If she doesn't have the chance to get onto the sofa, she uses her litter tray.
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So she only goes on that sofa? Maybe it’s too imposing for her or it’s been moved, which could be causing stress; it’s a big bit of furniture that can really stress a cat out. I know it sounds a bit daft, but you have to try and see things from their point of view rather than our own, otherwise we’d never understand a thing!
Hi, thanks. Yeah, the smell is really stubborn even after several washes. I’ve been using a mix of white vinegar and bicarbonate of soda, followed by a proper sofa cleaner and some disinfectant, but there’s still a lingering odour... I’ll try putting a towel next to the sofa; it would be brilliant if that works. Anyway, she doesn't do anything on the armrests, the mattress, or the dog's blanket—maybe it's because she sleeps on those as well.
Hi Oorr34,
The problem is that "pee attracts pee", so you really need to give your sofa a proper deep clean, specifically using bicarbonate of soda and other products (doing it several times over). You can then follow up with a strong odour neutraliser. Urine smells are incredibly persistent, and a simple wash with laundry detergent or an ordinary cleaner won't make any difference to a cat's nose.
In the meantime, try putting an old towel (one that's already been used) on the floor near the sofa to redirect their attention.
Best wishes
Thanks, but yes, she was stressed for the first couple of months, but I can promise you now she doesn’t seem like a stressed cat at all; she’s just going about her business as usual. We’ve put some bleach in the litter tray, and as I said, if she doesn’t get the chance to go on the sofa, she uses her tray. If she were stressed, logically she’d be going in other spots, but no—it’s either the tray or the sofa. I’ve got plenty of patience, but right now I’m mostly thinking I’m going to end up binning another sofa...
Evening! First off, the idea of cats being 'vengeful' just isn't a thing. That's a purely human trait, and we shouldn't project our own behaviours onto animals; even though there are similarities, we are very different species.
You've just moved house and your cat has lost all her familiar bearings. She’s found herself in a place she doesn't recognise at all. All these changes are incredibly upsetting for her, especially since she didn't ask for any of it. Cats are really sensitive to changes in their environment, and a move like this is a massive upheaval. Your cat is simply extremely stressed!
Being in an unfamiliar place is very frustrating for her. To express and relieve that stress (which is what cats do, it's not out of spite), she’s peeing outside of her litter tray. She is essentially urinating on the things that are causing her stress.
To fix this behavioural issue, which is purely down to stress, you just need to be patient! Your cat needs time to settle in and get used to her new surroundings. In the meantime, try not to change anything else or introduce any more stress, as that will only make the process take longer. Above all, don't tell her off or punish her. It won't help at all because she’s peeing to express and cope with her anxiety; telling her off will just make her more stressed and, in turn, make the problem worse.
To encourage her to use her litter tray, you could try putting a tiny drop of bleach in the bottom of it, as cats are actually attracted to the smell. Do everything you can to help her settle in; it’ll be better for both of you in the long run.
Patience and a gentle touch! Good luck and have a lovely evening.
