Can you find a replacement seat cushion and have the chair re-upholstered? Nothing I ever tried removes the odor. Even if you suspect the odor might be gone, a cat smells it and re-offends.

To keep her off the chair, aluminum foil on the seat. They don't like the noise. Worked on our 14 cats.

My friend's cat is on xanax. It has helped a lot.

I had the chair stripped to the framework, all new padding, foam, etc. It wasn't just the cushion but the back, arm, etc.

I imagine the foil works, two25. I might have to try that even tho' it's not the home décor "look" I would want...lol. DH idea is to put a clear painter's tarp over it, but that's worse than foil as far as looking nice.

Socks I think the 'door shut' idea is great. There are automatic door closers that can be installed.

Your cat is signaling her deep distress. She has something wrong in her universe and doesn't feel safe. IBS could make her think her boxes are to blame for her discomfort so she looks elsewhere. She might object to her litter, sometimes a new litter helps. It wont be rational to a human in any case. A new style of box? Does she like them covered or not covered. A nervous reactive cat is hard. Sometimes the key is medication to calm her down.

I had a cat who liked to scratch at a chair, so I applied clear packing tape to his favorite spot- similar idea to the tin foil but a little less noticeable. Change the texture on Kitty and maybe she wont like it so much. I have heard but never tried a pheromone scent to ease kitty's nerves. Have no idea about long term short term use, but co workers mentioned their vets have them and it chills out their cats- one said it turned her normally &itchy cat into a love bug. oh check out my cat from hell he has some ideas for undesirable cat behaviours and explanations as to what is causing them,

thunder ease cat diff user feliway

Socks, my neighbor used to use Boundary cat repellent spray to keep her Persian from scratching her expensive oriental carpet. The cat would leap the width of the room to get into the living room without even walking on it. The Boundary product then was an aerosol spray - it's been a few years ago. I used it on the outside of planters on my front porch to keep cats from digging in those, it worked there too.

It didn't stain or leave a mark, but if you were uncertain about your floral chair you could spray a piece of old towel or fabric, a throw of some kind and lay that on the chair. Is the chair the only problem area?

Double-sided scotch tape. They don't like the sticky side you get with double sided tape. She won't like to be on the chair that has this on it. She may pick a new spot to soil/wet though, but your favorite chair might have a chance to live again. We used to have blown up balloons taped to furniture before we discovered double-sided tape. Both worked in our case.

She might need kitty chill pills/drops/treats. Jackson Galaxy has a line of safe kitty behavior modification drops and such if you haven't looked into it. I agree that she is demonstrating her distress. Our kitty at the ^^ tape/ballon time turned out to be threatened by raccoons and stray cats visiting our yard at night and was marking his favorite territory in the house. We put up a visual blocker in the window so he couldn't see them anymore and he felt better after that. Going way back in time, another cat used to soak the bath mats when we went away once in a blue moon for a weekend. She told us what she thought of that! We couldn't get a sitter for her because she was nuts and would attack everyone, but dh and I, so we had to leave her with lots of dry food and water.

I love cats, but cat pee is forever...sigh.

The urine may have gotten into the wood. I would treat that wood the same way as you would wood flooring that had been under a urine soaked carpet. In my case, I got rid of the carpeting and padding and painted the floor with two coats of Kilz. ( Ventilate well ) My cat is good, but was left in a bedroom with the door shut for hours, so he chose a spot. :-(

Questions about your cat because I somewhat agree with patricia. Does the cat lay in the chair or just use it as her bathroom? Are your litter boxes or the chair in an area where there are less people? I would also start by trying several different litters as some of even the most expensive ones can irritate their nose and paws. Buy the smallest container of each and continue to use the regular stuff in one box and the different stuff in another. As odd as it will sound she may not like a completely clean box since she apparently returns to the chair. There are some cats that will only do their business where the scent tells them that is where they should be going. Going to the bathroom in your suitcase or shoes is just something some dogs and cats do when they feel they are being abandoned.

While it may be unsightly if you must have that chair in that area there are thick fabric pads that have a plastic internal layer that I have used for my elderly cats. You can also find clear thick plastic at places like Joann's that can be cut so that it drapes over the complete chair.

Cut a piece of the smelly fabric out and place it inside a new litter box with fresh litter. Message sent.

I think if you use foil for a while, she'll just get used to avoiding the chair and you can remove the foil when you're around to watch her. Or maybe place it on the floor in front of the chair, too. Scat mats work wonders, too, but sounds like she might be too fragile.

Been there...multiple times with multiple cats. It's why I no longer have cats. They really are the most inflexible creatures. They detest change even more than I do.

I've never found a solution other than attrition. The guilty cats eventually died and then I had everything recovered. No more pussy cats and I really do like cats.

My kitty "lived" on top of my upper kitchen cabinets.....so....I rolled up clear packaging tape and stuck it where she jumps up on the counter to reach the cabinets, also along the top of the refrigerator. Sure looks funny, but works! First time she jumped, and feet touched the tape, she let out a loud meow but never went up there again. I just rolled the tape into balls, sticky side out.

My cat started peeing in our basement weight room when we were moving. Furniture was disappearing and he was upset. So we'd clean the spot with soap and water, then rub with white vinegar(it's an unpleasant smell to them) then set his bowl of wet food over the new spot. If the spot appeared elsewhere in the room....repeat. He wouldn't pee where he was fed.

We also sprinkle an herb in his litter box to make him want to use the litter box. Dr. Elsey's Litter Attractant.

Edited to add: Natures Secret. He loved that! It was a cat attractant and the other one they sell for cat pee...no effect. He was fine after we put the food bowls in his pee area. Whew! Thanks Jackson Galaxy!

It's why I no longer have cats although I do like them. One of our previous cats started to spray furnishing,walls, the television etc. at age 13. We gave her every chance to change, vet checks, making sure her environment was good etc. But once medical and environmental reasons were eliminated she was put out of her misery and we out of ours. She peacefully crossed the rainbow bridge in my arms at the vet. We had to practically rebuild the family room because of that cat. I think she simply was going into kitty dementia because before then she was a great cat. An indoor/outdoor cat who loved to hunt.

I've used the cat pheromone Feliway to calm down cats with very good results.

I'm grateful for all the feedback about this. She walked across the new chair once before I got the foil on it. Now she isn't even looking at the chair. This is a cat, like many, has to walk on or lay on everything new which comes in the house. So the foil is ok for now. I may get some waterproof pads and cover the seat and back with them and then put a slipcover over.

Her litter box is in the spare bedroom. We just added a second one which she likes. It's a small size, and we could get a bigger one for her but we are afraid to change anything!! She has always used the litter box but also the chair and bed. I could try that litter attractant, Nicole, but things are ok for now. Actually the vet mentioned moving or changing furniture as a trigger for such cats. Feliway is a little pricey and I wasn't impressed when we used it for another cat. Got new litter too, Slide by Arm & Hammer, and she likes that too. It's very fine, almost like sand, and doesn't stick to the pan so much. Must be gentler on the feet than the larger grained litter. I don't wish to medicate her because for the moment the peeing is under control and the IBS is as well. We just know that we are not allowed to put anything on the bed in the spare bedroom or it becomes a target for her. No suitcase, no clothing, no extra quilt. Ridiculous, I know. This will be our last cat.

Again, thank you all for your wisdom. There are many animal lovers here, and I knew I would get helpful ideas.

Relaxing in the mantel.

They say life's what happens while you are making other plans, hence the new kitty. How old is "old man cat?" How nice to honor your FIL's wishes. Daisy is 13.

I thought it was safe to get a new sofa and loveseat after the kids grew up and left the home, but Daisy started shredding the backs. Double-sided tape and plastic claw tips helped. We have struggled with her, that's for sure.

As a person who has had a lifetime of having cats...18 with the two new additions, I feel your pain. I had to list them to make sure I wasn't forgetting anyone. Simon, Pumpkin, Casey, Cricket, Maddie,Louie, Emma, Minnie, Nellie, Annie, Peeper, lily, Henry ,Phoebe, Bernie, Poppy, Piper in no particular order except at the beginning and end. Of these, I had one prolific pee-er. It can be many factors, medical , emotional and just because they can. Maddie was my pee er and after vet's visits and other modifications which were futile, one day I took her in the carriage house empty of cars. It's a very large building and it was summer and a trial for a day or two. I put her food and water, toys and bed and litter box. I had thought maybe she was being bullied. Nope, she peed out of the box when there was NO earthly reason. I have one or two who pooped beside the box even though it was cleaned every day. Cats are mysterious creatures. Three years ago when I found the Maine coon I thought maybe that's why he was dumped. Nope, perfect habits from day one, All five litter boxes are in the basement and so when I got the new girls in June, Piper did pee on a rug because this was all new to her being in a cage for over four months but as soon as I carried her down to the basement, she caught on, Since two of my cats are declawed(not by me) my only problem now is dealing with piper clawing inappropriate things but she's good about using scratching posts.

I think inappropriate elimination is the number one reason cats are dumped. I am such a cat person, I could never live a minute without a few, but will admit it's a nasty problem.

I'm sorry this was rambling with really no solution. I have used Natures Miracle with limited results. I think a change in their lives...cats hate change and new things is a big factor too. Good luck.

No apologizing. I loved hearing of your experience with all your kitties. We’ve always had a cat, but only one at a time And not nearly 18! Tried having them outside but they get hit by cars. Now we have suburban coyotes, and I never see a cat around. Used to see them walking late afternoons. Our favorite cat was one we bottlefed who lived to be 18. Maybe your garden web name is for your cat lily.

socks....Peeka(he's 13, also declawed/not by me) loves Arm & Hammer. He also likes Signature even better. Safeway carries it. Has baking soda and clumps. Costs half what Arm & Hammer does. Daisy is very pretty!

She's a beauty and I do miss having a cat sometimes. I just enjoy the 3 my local DD has (distant son has a new one I have not yet met but seen pictures of),

I've had Fluffie Muffits, Junior, Chessie, Cricket, Baby, Gooey (he came named that), Pumpkin, Clementine (she was a double-pawed, thus the name, ie big feet), Martha, Sambo. Loved them all, but that peeing and scratching? Not so much...

You figured me out ,socks...lol. I have been lily here for many years and my kitty, lily, a tortoiseshell was living then. By the way, only 17 names appear in the above. I didn't mention Izzy who had a very brief stay. She was an adult cat who followed me down the street one day. After checking around, I kept her but the cats who were here at that time hated her with a passion. They would gang up on her and terrify her so I found her another home where she would be an only cat.

Can you guess what my former dog's name is? (hint, he had white feet)

I'm so glad you are trying to find a solution. I hope you do! I'm sad after reading about cats being euthanized over this problem.

When I moved in with my husband, we had 5 cats between us and one of mine freaked out from all the change. He started spraying everywhere and the only thing that helped was giving him his own bedroom with a baby gate. He liked having his own space without other kitties, and the spraying stopped. It's been 6 years now and he's still happy in his room. Not really practical for most people but it worked for us.

I consider my cats as family. Euthanizing because they simply became too old or developed bad habits is simply something that I personally could not do. Euthanizing to end pain or suffering is one thing but not for possessions.

Family heath and environment over the cat. I know of some people who banish their pets to a garage ,keep them locked in a single room etc. We all have our opinions but I think to banish an animal like that is cruel. Quality of life matters to animals more than longevity. Same reason I believe no kill shelters are not the answer.

It is a problem. No one wants to live in a home impacted by the soiling of an animal. It's hard enough to keep a home clean without that! I have pee pads down in the "cat's room," but cannot figure out who is using them, the dog or the cat--but I'm grateful someone is. I guess if a pet is intolerable, the best bet would be to find a sanctuary or cat rescue but to re-home it with issues isn't the answer either. Place the pet outside most often is a death sentence even tho' I like to see cats sunning, climbing trees, enjoying the fresh outdoors.