She has ALWAYS used her litter box but just recently she has started to pee on my bathroom carpets and some places around the house. She even pees on the carpet in my babys room. WHY? She still uses her litter box, just also uses other places. My husband and I just had a baby 9mos ago, could this be it? We also have another female cat who does none of this. Its only this one. She also has started to attack the other cat. Do you think she is feeling neglected? Please help...
2007-01-04 03:02:09 · 12 answers · asked by hm84 2 in Pets ➔ Cats
Yes she is fixed.
2007-01-04 09:09:06 · update #1
Hi there... consider all the possibilities such as:
- changes with litter brands
- location of the litter box isn't private enough
- some cats like to have one box to defecate and another to urinate
- cleanliness (some cats are very finicky and prefer a super clean box)
- as a general rule there should be one litter box for each cat plus one extra as a back up
- unspayed/un-neutered if cat is over the age of 5-7 months. Cats will become aggressive as they sexually mature and territorially mark with either urine or defecating.
If all these have been ruled out, there's a chance that your cat may have developed another underlying medical problem which can contribute to accidents outside of the box. Cats will associate pain while using box and change their habits as a result.
Here's an article about why cats inappropriately soil outside their litter box by Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine: http://www.vet.cornell.edu/fhc/brochures/Housesoiling.html
House soiling is the most common behavior problem reported by cat owners. It includes urination and/or defecation outside the litter box, as well as urine spraying.
Why do cats eliminate outside of the litter box?
One common misconception is that cats soil in inappropriate places for revenge. It is tempting to conclude, "He defecated on the living room carpet to punish me for leaving him for the weekend." But this kind of calculation requires sophisticated cognitive abilities that cats aren't believed to possess. Furthermore, this conclusion assumes that cats view their urine and feces as distasteful, when in fact they do not. It is only we humans who view it that way.
Medical Problems
So why do cats urinate or defecate on your bed or carpet? Medical problems are one possibility. Inflammation of the urinary tract may cause painful or frequent urination, inability to urinate, bloody urine, and crying during urination. An affected cat is likely to eliminate outside the litter box if he comes to associate the box with painful urination, or if he has an increased urgency to urinate. In addition, kidney, liver, and thyroid diseases often lead to increased drinking and urination. Inflammation of the colon or rectum, intestinal tract tumors, intestinal parasites, and other gastrointestinal conditions may cause painful defecation, increased frequency or urgency to defecate, and decreased control of defecation. Age-related diseases that interfere with a cat's mobility (for example, arthritis, nervous system disorders, or muscular diseases), or with his cognitive functions can also influence his ability to get to the litter box in time. In short, any medical condition that interferes with a cat's normal elimination behavior can lead to house soiling.
Litter Box Aversions
Behavioral problems, such as litter box aversions, inappropriate site preferences, or urine spraying can also lead to house soiling. An aversion implies that there is something about the litter box that your cat finds unsavory. It could be the box, the litter, the location of the box, or all three.
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2007-01-04 06:35:07 · answer #1 · answered by ♪ Seattle ♫ 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Is there anything in the way of her kitty litter, or has it been moved? if so make sure to move it and show the kitty thats its easy to get to and thats its clean. Sometimes if its dirty they wont use it. Then again if it continues it could be that the cat has a unrinary tract infection and is peeing as a way of letting you know something is wrong. Mine started peeing in the bathroom sink and i took her into the vet and it was just her way of saying she was sick. So dont be mad at the kitty she might just be trying to tell u something.
2007-01-04 06:45:57 · answer #2 · answered by Erika 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If she is not fixed then its time to get her fixed to end this problem. If she is then it could be her litter box is not clean enough so you might need to get one for her or just make sure its clean more often. Also, she might be jealous of the new baby and just needs more attention.
Try the fix first, then litter. Always give her some attention - maybe even a new toy with some cat-nip.
2007-01-04 03:08:19 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Cats are very sensitive creatures and it doesn't take much to upset them. The new baby could be a factor in her house soiling but I wish you would have her checked for a Urinary Tract Infection. Cats will sometimes go in places they shouldn't when they have a UTI. It is almost like they are trying to show us there is something wrong. Attacking the other cat could also be a sign that your cat is not feeling well. Please have her checked out and make sure she is not suffering from an infection.
I have 5 cats and when one does something not in their regular routine, it is usually a signal that something is wrong.
Good luck with her and have patience especially if she isn't feeling well.
2007-01-04 03:14:36 · answer #4 · answered by simbasega 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't think that she is feeling neglected...she's just marking her spot and letting the other cat know who's running the house. That's their way of showing each other who's BOSS! It's not uncommon...just put some rubbing alcohol where ever she peed or marked her spot to get kick the smell and she won't do it there again.
2007-01-04 03:17:14 · answer #5 · answered by Stacy D 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have a cat who peed all over my nephews stuff when he was younger, this cat is fixed too. We figured a jealosy thing. "There spending time with the baby and not me" You know like a kid who is not getting attention, how they prefer negative attention over none. Also this cat is the same one who peed all over ever time he saw stray cats wander outdoors.
2007-01-04 04:48:37 · answer #6 · answered by black_lightning 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
She could be sick, that is one of the ways they will tell you, especially if they have a urinary tract infection. Take her to the vet to check that out and see if they have any other ideas.
Also if you've changed litter type recently, she could be telling you she doesn't like it.
2007-01-04 03:10:55 · answer #7 · answered by Christina 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Our cat did that after she got used to going outside. When we wouldn^'t let her out she'd pee in the basement.
2007-01-04 03:10:42 · answer #8 · answered by sunshine 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First are you sure its a girl! Male cats like to pee everywhere in the house if they are not fixed.
Second.. if it is a she.. could be doing on spight!
2007-01-04 03:06:15 · answer #9 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
it could be medical - have her tested for urinary tract problems (including crytals) or it can be behavioral - upset from the changes in the home...
2007-01-04 03:08:53 · answer #10 · answered by CF_ 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋