old cat keeps urinating in same place

by Danijela
(Windsor Canada)

Our cat is 6 years old now, she always stayed in the house,she was strayed when she was 6 months old, she did some urine markings trough these years but recently become more and more and in last month or so she started to poop, and she pretty much does on the same spots in front of the door, I changed the mats and tried to clean the smell and it is still not working, I just can`t put her down it would break my kids hearts but it is getting crazy dealing with all the smell and cleaning.Do you have any suggestions what to do? Thank you!

Answer by KAte
Hi well there is no reason to put her down as this sound more like a behavioral problem than anything to do with ill health.

I would do several things. If you have a mat in that area, throw it away and get a new one. Clean the area around the door carpets and door frame and wall with a solution of bicarbonate of soda, this is great for removing smells and so should prevent her using the area again. Also clean the outside of the door area as it may be that another cat has been scenting there and she can smell it. Put some citrus smell there to deter other cats from the area.
At the same time of doing this I would give your cat a period of a weeks litter training using the confinement method. This method is described here

https://www.our-happy-cat.com/cat-litter-box.html

don't worry be persistent and I'm sure you can help your cat through this time.

best wishes Kate

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