I love my baby and would never get rid of him; so thatās not an option.
But I really need him to stop peeing on things!
Itās actually improved over the years, he used to pee on all kinds of things (somehow he would find things like my husbands 400 motorcycle jacket ) but now he just marks in a few spots.
Both sides of the pool table legs, and thatās pretty much it as far as I can tell.
I at least know where it is now so itās easier to (try to) clean…
I saw a spray deterrent the other day that is supposed to keep cats from marking, but I didnāt know if it could backfire on me, like if he stopped peeing in his normal spots because I spray this deterrent, will he just go find another new spot and make things worse?!
Anyone have any tips or advice at all?
Anyone been though this and actually found a solution?
Thanks!
Brief Answer:
It is fantastic that your cat’s inappropriate urination has narrowed down to specific, predictable spots, as this indicates the behavior is now highly localized marking, which is easier to manage than general litter box avoidance.
Your concern about the spray deterrent is entirely valid; I strongly advise against using a harsh or repellant spray deterrent.
These products only make the current location unpleasant, teaching your cat nothing and often causing the behavior to “backfire” by forcing him to find a new, often less conspicuous, and more destructive area to mark due to increased anxiety.
The best, most cost-effective solution is a two-pronged approach focusing on scent removal and positive scent addition at the targeted spots.
Immediately clean the pool table legs thoroughly with an enzymatic cleaner to eliminate all urine pheromones.
Then, introduce a sense of security to that area by placing a Feliway Classic Diffuser nearby or using a synthetic feline facial pheromone spray directly on the cleaned spots (not the deterrent spray).
This non-toxic, pheromone-based approach communicates safety and territorial confidence, reducing the underlying drive to mark.
Detailed Answer:
Your cat’s current behavior of consistently marking the pool table legs, after a history of marking high-value items like the motorcycle jacket, is a classic sign of territorial anxiety and a need to assert security over a perceived common area.
The pool table is a large, centralized fixture in the home and likely sits in a high-traffic area, making it a critical, though inappropriate, territorial marker for him.
The deterrent spray you are considering operates on the principle of a negative association, typically using scents that cats find offensive.
While they may stop him from marking the pool table legs, they do not resolve the underlying anxiety or territorial need that drives the marking.
He will still feel the need to mark, and the behavior will likely be displaced to another high-value, exposed area, potentially ruining something new and expensive, creating a costlier problem in the long run.
The effective solution must be targeted and positive.
Since the marking is localized, you need to follow these steps:
First, Absolute Cleaning.
Every trace of urine, pheromone, and scent marker must be destroyed.
Use a high-quality, non-toxic enzymatic cleaner (such as Nature’s Miracle or Anti-Icky Poo) to thoroughly soak and clean both sides of the pool table legs and the surrounding floor area.
You may need to treat the spot multiple times, allowing the enzyme solution to air dry completely between applications.
If any scent remains, his instinct will compel him to remark there.
This step saves you from continued, costly cleaning attempts with ineffective products.
Second, Scent Redirection for Security.
Instead of repelling him, you want to change the area’s emotional significance from “threat/insecure territory” to “safe zone.” I recommend placing a Feliway Classic Diffuser in the room near the pool table.
This diffuser releases a synthetic copy of the feline facial pheromone, which cats use to mark an area as safe and secure.
It directly reduces the urge to spray for territorial reasons.
Alternatively, once the cleaning is complete, you can use a Feliway spray product and lightly spray the area (the legs) daily for a few weeks.
By turning the site from a “danger zone” to a “safe zone,” you eliminate the root cause of the marking.
Finally, for a comprehensive, long-term fix, consider consulting a behavioral guide like Cat Spray Stop by Susan Westinghouse.
This program can help you analyze why the pool table specifically is a point of contention and provide environmental enrichment strategies to redirect his territorial instincts to appropriate, cost-effective channels like high vertical perches or new scratching posts, preventing future spraying incidents elsewhere in your home.
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