Cat peeing on fireplace mantle

Question
Hi, I know it's common for cats to pee on piles of clothes, bath rugs, etc., but the fireplace mantle?!  My 5 year-old male pees on a granite mantle that is at the bottom of the electric fireplace but about a foot off the ground.  He jumps up and urinates right in the middle of the slab of polished stone.  Do you have any idea what this means behavior-wise?  Thanks.

Answer
Ali,

The use of a granite mantle is not a normal 'abnormal' behavior. That is a strange one, and not one I have ever heard of.

It could be a medical issue or a behavioral issue. It's always good to rule out a medical problem first before dealing with it as a behavioral one.

Your cat could have a kidney infection, urinary tract infection, or urinary crystals to name some common reasons for his behavior. If he has urinary crystals they are very painful and cats associate that pain with the litterbox and go elsewhere. If not treated in time they can cause a complete blockage and that is always fatal to male cats. Crystals are usually caused by too much fish or fish products. It is too high in magnesium. Or by low grade 'bargain brand' dry cat food that is too high in ash. They can also be reoccurring.

As far as behavior it could be a number of things and sometimes you have to be a detective to find out what it is.
Is his litterbox out in the open? Some cats are more 'modest' than others and prefer a more hidden place to use the litterbox (like behind the couch). Try moving the litterbox.
He is possibly reacting to a female in heat in the neighborhood that he can smell (even though he is fixed).
He may be upset at you or in general and that is how he is telling you about it. Did someone move in or out of the house? Did you get a new pet? Did you leave him by himself for a day or two? Have you been paying less attention to him than before? Not playing with him as much? These are common reasons that provoke his type of behavior.

I am including a some links to good articles that you may find helpful on the subject of improper elimination:
(copy and paste, or type, the whole links into your address bar)

http://cats.about.com/cs/behavioralissues/a/outsidebox_two.htm

http://www.geocities.com/heartland/pointe/9352/litterboxhelp.html

Tabbi