How to stop Cats peeing on steps

[whatwasithinking]

We have an unknown cat from the neighbourhood who loves our back step as a peeing toilet. I have tried all the cat sprays to stop it to no avail. Does anyone have any ideas how to get rid of this annoying practice. Does anyone have any ideas how to get rid of the smell as well as it's pee shoots under the door and when we get home from work because the house has been looked up it stinks like very bad BO.
Need help as I am going crazy.

[Mamaduke]

You could always get a big Rottweiler to sit at your back step...bet that'll stop him!:rolleyes:
Here kitty kitty...

[whatwasithinking]

I like the way you thing Carlyb

[Ana Gram]

I'm thinking a swift kick as we have the same problem. I have been told lavender might work though.

[tickle]

I would call the council and see what they recommend.
If it was me I'd be getting them to put out a cat trap (they don't hurt them, just catch them) and let the council deal with it.
You shouldn't have to put up with a cat doing that.

[Chickadee]

I was going to suggest staking out the back step and soaking it with the hose, but not very useful if it happens when you're away.

Male cats especially spray to mark their territory, though females do too. If you keep washing it away they will keep spraying. So you could get a dog or cat which would take over the territory and keep the unknown one from spraying. Also not a very practical solution. I'm no help at all today! :D

All I can suggest is to talk to a local vet or a good pet shop (not the shopping mall ones, their staff are usually useless) about some good cat deterrants and also how to wash the step to get rid of the smell. You may need to put them elsewhere in your yard too.

In the short term, you could try attaching a bit of "draft stop" to the bottom of the door. I've seen some which are like rubber and reach down to the floor and double at keeping insects from coming under the door. Something like that might help reduce the amount coming inside.

[tickle]

All I can suggest is to talk to a local vet or a good pet shop (not the shopping mall ones, their staff are usually useless)
Oi! I used to be one of them and I have a wealth of knowledge, even did vet nursing! Don't bag out the shopping centre ones, you do come across the odd good one.;) :) :p

[stilldreaming]

Hi there! You need to get rid of the smell first before you use a repellent. I always tell people to use a dishwashing detergent first and then mix bio zet (washing powder) with water and giving it all a good scrub. Once you have got rid of the urine smell you are half way there, if they can smell it they will do it again. Whatever you do don't use bleach, because of the high levels of ammonia it attracts them not deters them (just what you need....:D ) You don't have to use both of these things if it sounds too much of a stuff around just go with the bio zet!
Lastly go to kmart or bunnings etc and get some citronella oil, mix it with a bit of water and spray it around. This stops them coming back!
I promise you this works (I'm a vet nurse) if they come back they can still smell the wee so keep scrubbing!:)
Hope this helps!

[reAllytee]

tbb321 - D*rn you beat me to it :p
I was going to say exactly the same thing !
Most people use bleach which hey we all love a good bleach to clean things but its such a no no !
Anything with citrus in it is great ! We have had to do this at my mums a few times as she had problems with strays for awhile.
If it was on fabric or the likes say your doormat to clean it you could use 3 parts vinegar to one part bicarb soda works a treat !
Oh & its not always the males who spray !
So i found out when my girl came on heat :eek:
Which could also be the reason this other cat is doing this if you either have a cat yourself especially a male !!!
My cat did it to get my partners attention while on heat go figure :rolleyes: :confused:
Anyways you have some great advice here good luck !

[Elfin]

I have found that Cayenne pepper works really well. They can't stand the smell of it.

[Lilac]

I'm not sure if anyone has suggested this, but what about putting some moth balls into knee high socks and tying them to the steps or on stakes around this area....that way it stays in the one spot and is a bit more resistant to the rain.
The cats hate the smell of these and it usually works really well.
I hope you sort this annoying problem out soon.
Good luck.
Lx

[whatwasithinking]

I would call the council and see what they recommend.
If it was me I'd be getting them to put out a cat trap (they don't hurt them, just catch them) and let the council deal with it.
You shouldn't have to put up with a cat doing that.
Tried that - I'm on a list for one of the traps - list must be awfully long as I have been waiting for 3mths!!
They also said before I can catch it I have to give a warning to the cat owner - I would if I knew who owned the blooming thing - I have already spoken to two nearby neighbours and they are adament that it is not their little kitty - I reckon it is one of them but as both cats are the same colour I can't blame one or the other ggrrrr.


Thanks everyone for all your advice - I will try them out and see how they go and let you know. :)

[whatwasithinking]

I was going to suggest staking out the back step and soaking it with the hose, but not very useful if it happens when you're away.


Tried that with a water squirter - but the squirt out part was pathetic - unless the cat was at my feet the water didn't go very far. At least Hannah now has a water squirter for the hot weather.

[Shelly68]

I always find a good swift kick up the behind with a steel capped safety boot works a treat,

unfortunately you have to catch the cat in the act first.

As others suggested try to clean the step first with a citronella based cleaner, like the Orange Spray for showers etc, that can kill mould it could have to help with the step.

Then place orange peel, I've also read that they hate it.

Good luck,

[aardvark]

I was told treating the area with cloudy ammonia will stop them from doing it.

I have personally used Eucalyptus oil successfully to stop the local Tom peeing on my front doormat. I tried that because my cats can't stand the smell of it.