Seriously?! Freeking Cat...

Updated on August 29, 2011
S.R. asks from Clinton, MO
16 answers

It's 6am, and I am sitting on the couch enjoying some quiet time before the kids get up at 7am. Our 4 year old neutered male cat, just PEED (or sprayed?) on and in front of our surround sound speaker that sits on the floor (CARPET). WTH! Now I am probably going to have to trash the surround sound, I can't imagine that I will get all of the urine out of all those tiny holes, and whatever went inside it. How do I clean the carpet? I know I will have to use something to get the smell out so that he (hopefully) doesn't do it again. He is due for his shots soon, so I will have the vet check him out to be sure he isn't sick. Maybe he was just mad at me? Either way I have to get this out of the carpet somehow before it starts smelling (obviously I blotted up what I could already.) Help!

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So What Happened?

Thanks everyone for the help. I would never get rid of him. He was my first child, and I love him as much as my kids. I know things happen. Cats are funny animals, not to mention very sensitive. It turns out my husband forgot to scoop the litter yesterday (I am pregnant) so I hope that was the cause. I will be keeping a close eye on him and if he has another incident, I will be taking him to the vet to rule out a UTI or bladder infection.

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N.S.

answers from Pittsburgh on

Don't know about the speaker, but about the cat - reiterating others - consider that he could have a UTI (this behavtior is common for that and could continue unless you get him treated for it ASAP). Is there something about his litter box that he's unhappy about? Scooping out waste daily is best... if you do that already, have you changed litter brands/varieties? That can do it, too. If he's not neutered you might want to consider getting that done ASAP - call a local animal rescue and ask for recommendations for low cost programs, many areas have them. Good luck!!!

1 mom found this helpful
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M.H.

answers from Dallas on

Is he neutered? Usually that stops that action. Just clean the speaker the best you can...don't trash it! If he smells it maybe he will be satified (with that area) and NOT do it again. If you erase it, he may feel the desire to respray. :(

1 mom found this helpful

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L.R.

answers from Washington DC on

He's never done this before? Yes, as others said -- he needs to see the vet ASAP. Cats by nature are tidy with their feces and urine and if he did this, something is wrong, either physically (the likeliest answer) or in the cat's mind (it's spraying to mark territory because it suddenlyfeels threatened, or there's been a change in the household that upsets it somehow, etc. Have there been any changes? Ones that you think are no big deal could make an animal feel it needs to re-establish its territory.).

I'm appalled at the two people who immediately posted that getting rid of the cat was your option. After ONE incident? When the cat may be sick and needing care, not punishment? They seem to think one peeing problem is enough to justify throwing out an animal that's been in your home and in your care for four years. If they have cats, I hope they re-home their own cats to owners with more compassion--owners who don't think a living creature can be thrown out like trash.

For the speaker, contact the company that made it. Don't let embarrassment stop you from telling them what happened. I guarantee they've heard it all and can tell you what to do to clean it or replace just the screen on the front of it. For the carpet, contact a pet supply store ASAP and tell them what you need. Be certain to pull up the carpet and clean, or even replace, the padding beneath; you may also need to treat the concrete or other flooring under the pad. It's easy to slice out a small section of carpet pad and insert a replacement of the same thickness; you don't have to replace the entire pad for the whole room. You have to deal with the pad, not just spot-clean the carpet, or the smell will remain.

Someone said to leave the urine there so the cat will smell it and maybe not do it again in that area -- No! The cat would recognize that as an area where it's OK to spray AGAIN.

But meanwhile, please try not to be so angry at the cat. It was behaving in a way that demonstrates a need -- it wasn't intentionally trying to get you angry.

5 moms found this helpful
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D.K.

answers from Columbus on

I agree with others time for a vet check ASAP. It could be a bladder infection and crystals in the urine. If left untreated he could block and be unable to urinate leading to kidney problems and possible failure. Hopefully just a simple infection and easy to treat. We got very lucky last year when one of my parents cats blocked, he is doing great now. It can be behavioral too if no signs of infection at the vet. I have a female that if stressed will end up with an irritated bladder and go in different places. She is well managed with meds and food and a clean litter box. If you have changed litter or boxes recently that can do it too.

For cleaning the carpet and possibly the speaker natures miracle is a great product.

3 moms found this helpful
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M.P.

answers from Raleigh on

Nature's Miracle works great. Get it a most pet's stores.

2 moms found this helpful
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B.C.

answers from Los Angeles on

The mesh in front of the speaker is replaceable. (So is the cat, which I recommend. Unless you want an encore presentation.)

I don't know how to get it out of the carpet.

Good luck to you and yours.

2 moms found this helpful

E.A.

answers from Erie on

Especially because he did it right in front of you, I would take him to the vet ASAP if I were you. Cats do not typically like to use anything but their litter boxes, especially if they are neutered/spayed. He probably has a urinary tract infection and did this to let you know something was wrong. I've had cats my whole life and never had one do this who wasn't ill.

Go to PetSmart and get the enzyme cleaner for cat urine, it works very well. Talk to an employee about the speakers.

1 mom found this helpful
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A.V.

answers from Washington DC on

Nature's Miracle. You can also try white vinegar.

I hope he doesn't have a blockage or other issue. Usually if a cat who doesn't usually spray does that, there's an issue. Neutered males can get a urinary tract block, so ask the vet about that. It can be fatal.

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V.B.

answers from Miami on

Not sure about the speaker, but try vinegar and water on the carpet. Or, as someone else mentioned, you may need an enzyme cleaner, but be sure to test an area of your carpet first to be sure it doesn't discolor it. My cats don't pee on the carpet, but one does have a weak stomach and vomits often. The vinegar and water solution (50/50) works well to take out the stain without bleaching out the carpet. We have used some pet stain removers before and all seemed fine until we had our carpets steam cleaned and then it left huge bleached out spots all over it. The guy who cleaned our carpet suggested the vinegar solution and it has worked great. Thankfully, we just moved and no longer have any carpet in our house, so cleanup is much easier! Good luck!

Oh, and as others have mentioned, take him to the vet ASAP. It is usually a UTI when they do that.

1 mom found this helpful

C.B.

answers from Kansas City on

i have no idea what to tell you about cleaning that stuff...we had a NEUTERED male cat that did that and we had to get rid of him. of course, no one would take him with his particular "problem"....

1 mom found this helpful
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R.M.

answers from Chicago on

Your cat does one thing wrong, and might very well be sick, and there are people on here who say "get rid of it?" That's beyond inhumane. I'm with Leigh... I can't believe people would give out that kind of advice. Obviously not pet owners .... or not very good ones if they are.

See a vet as soon as possible. Probably plugged or has a uti or something fixable. If not, then the vet can talk to you about behavioral meds.

A.G.

answers from Houston on

We have a male cat that did this on my carpet the other day, i was so peeved!, I bought a spray that is supposed to prevent spraying, so far so good.

J.S.

answers from Jacksonville on

UGH! My male dog do this exact same thing, and he SOAKED the speaker! We have Woolite with oxygen for pets. It works really well on the carpets and such. To get the speaker you can lightly wet down a cloth with the cleaner and wipe it down. It's get the smell out. You can replace them too if you need to.

M.B.

answers from Orlando on

I agree with taking him to the vet. My spayed female peed on my stove of all places and when I took her to the vet she did in fact have a bladder infection

B.K.

answers from Chicago on

Take him to the vet today if possible. Cats who have never done that before are usually trying to show you something.

I have had two cats who have done silly things like this to me over the years. Every time they did it, it was because they had a raging bladder infection. He also could be blocked, since he's male. That means it is painful and difficult for him to urinate.

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P.S.

answers from Houston on

Turn the speaker on its front, w/the sound screen facing the floor and try to wash it off that way. Use a toothbrush and scrub w/soapy water gently, so as not to splash onto the speaker heads. When you are done washing, use a fluffy towel to dry it. I would even let it sit faced down propped above the surface w/2 rolled up towels on each end for a bit to let it air out.

hth

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