Cat peeing on carpet not in litter box

by Ro
(Chicago)

I adopted a cat back in Late July, and at first things seemed fine. She had no issues using her litter box which I keep in the bathroom.

I got a bit busy/lazy back in late August and she started peeing outside the box onto the carpet in my bedroom. I have changed my routine and clean out the box at least once a day and replace the litter every three days, but she still pees outside the box. She poops in the litter and has never gone outside of it.

I’ve cleaned the carpet with an enzyme remover, put training pads over the spot in case she goes back, but now she’s peeing on a different spot of the carpet.

I’m at my wit's end with this. I’ve tried everything I’ve read online.

I try to give her treats when she pees in the box. I clean up before and after I come back from work. She only does this at night when I’m sleeping.

I’ve gotten into the habit of sleeping with a spray bottle in case I hear her at night. I’m tempted to lock her in the bathroom with food and water so she will stop peeing on the floor, but I know this isn’t the right way to go about it.

She’s 6 years old and has a hyperthyroid condition. She’s the first pet I’ve ever had so I’m still learning on how to deal with issues like this. I love her but I really wish she would stop.

My thoughts: I'm sorry to hear your kitty is having problems. Assuming it's not a medical problem (cats with hyperthyroidism may urinate outside the box), you're doing a lot of things right.

Although certain general principles apply, each cat and each situation is a bit different. Sometimes it's must a matter of finding the right combination of things (see Barb's story here), and time.

Although a bathroom wouldn't be my first choice, litter box training using isolation may work to retrain your cat to use the box regularly.

Please let us know how it goes with her.
-Kurt