Cat's sudden misbehavior at 2 1/2 years old- help!?

Question

Our cat has always been really well behaved. She instantly adapted to her litterbox as a kitten. In the past month she has decided to start peeing in our bedroom (on stuff, like if we leave a sweatshirt on the floor or something), and peed on our beanbag.

I've caught her two times recently, and scolded her and put her outside both times (one was today- the beanbag again). She also is relentlessly scratching our new couches, and won't give it up. Our other cat learned this wasn't acceptable within a week of when we got them (we would carry her to her scratching post and tell her to scratch that instead), but our younger one is still doing it.

She has been spending more time outside than usual- could that be a part of it?

She doesn't have any signs of a UTI so although I'm remaining cautious, I think this is just a behavioral issue.

She does this when her litter box is clean- it's not that either.

What should we do???

She is spayed

We probably give her too much attention if anything. She gets a lot of love.

Before this past month she has never peed outside the litterbox once.

Kacky- she doesn't leak all over the house, or cry while she pees, or any of the other signs of a UTI.

Answer 1

Get her a male and then neutor then both,the ultimate punishment.

Answer 2

Once a UTI has been ruled out, then it is behavioral. Cats are masters at hiding problems, so a health problem might not be evident. Something has changed, and she is reacting to that change. She is sort of punishing you, and you need to think hard at what might have caused a change that she is upset about. For some cats, even moving a piece of furniture is enough. She might not be happy about being put outside.

I would favor putting her in the litter box rather than outside if you catch her in the act. It is a bit more of a reinforcement of where she should be.

As far as where she has gone, you have to make sure it is thoroughly cleaned up, and all traces are gone, or she will return to the 'scene of her crime'.

As far as scratching, depending on where she does it, double sided tape is often effective. That is available many places. I have posted a link of one type.

Answer 3

Depending when she was spayed, it could be the delayed hormonal reaction kicking in. This can be stabilised by giving her pulsatilla 6c (homoeopathy)

Alternatively, she could have problems with her teeth, it is unusual at that age, but if it is a genetic disorder, tooth ache can be the cause of major changes in the behaviour of your cat. Depending how serious it is, perhaps you can start giving her a raw chicken wing once a week, which helps her clean her teeth and add some eucalyptus in her food and some mint. In very small quantities of course.

She may be establishing her position in relation to the other cat and is territory marking, which is not solely the prerogative of the boys, but is also done by the females. She is growing up and therefore going through natures cycle.

As for the scratching. when you take on a cat, you accept the behaviour that cats bring along. It is not very fair to expect them to behave like humans. You may have had what you consider a good result with your other cat, but the nature of that cat is possibly different. The fact this cat goes outside is very good, because soon she'll stop putting her claws into the furniture as a tree trunk is far more interesting.

Quite honestly, sounds to me you should just sit back and try to relax. Cats will damage certain items as do dogs. Imagine if you have a child the damage they cause with drawings on the wall, not to mention the tantrums when they don't get their way. Be kind to yourself and be fair to the animal. It is only a piece of furniture and not nearly as important as the happiness of your cat. In time you can fix the couch or replace it. Unlike the cat, when they part from this world, you cannot replace them in the same way.

Try and see the funny side of life and enjoy the humour whilst you can. They grow up so fast.

Answer 4

Did you change the type of litter recently? Or the location of the litterbox?
Is she spayed? What is she doing outside? Hunting? Fighting with other cats? Getting into chemicals, eg somebody's car's leaking radiator with highly toxic antifreeze on the ground?
I once had a cat who started to pee in small amounts in strange places; mostly my clothes. She had gotten out and been found several days later, and maybe she got into something, because it turned out her kidneys were damaged. After we learned to give her fluids under the skin, she lived well for another 5 years.
Better have a vet check her. Not fair to dismiss it as behavioral without checking urine and blood.

Answer 5

my only thoughts are:

1)she might have a UTI. Just like with people, cats don't always show all the symptoms of a UTI.

2) has something changed in your house? different litter? move her litter box? did someone leave? is someone new there? (human or animal) is the other cat getting more attention? it might also be that when she acts up she is put outside and is acting up because she hates being outside.

Answer 6

You say you have a younger cat, could this be a territorial thing? If the younger cat has marked territory in the house, the older cat may be trying to reclaim it. The cat scratching the couch is her way of marking its territory (cats have scent glands on the underside of their front paws). The peeing can also be an extreme form of scent marking. You REALLY need to clean these urine scented areas extremely well. I hope that helps.

Answer 7

Peeing outside the box is the only sign of a painful urinary tract infection. Quit punishing her and take her to the vet!

Answer 8

No definitely not a problem. And 4-1/2 is young and he will do fine with surgery.

Answer 9

She possibly could have seperation anxiety or wants you to give her more attention. She also could be just being a cat. Our cats do that occasionally, but not frequently.

Answer 10

Close the door to the bed room. And use a lemon or citris spray on areas where she has done her business.

Answer 11

1 question....Has your cat been fixed? If not, then that will solve alot of your issues. As for clawing furnature. This is a natural thing they are excersizing their paws.