Please help with cat urination problems?

Question

I have two female cats. One, the older cat(8years old) doesnt like the newer cat, who is two. Lately, the older cat has been wetting our rugs. She has wet the bathroom rug over 5 times! And she has wet the master bedroom's carpet at least four times! I do not know what to do. My family is very distressed over the issue. She isn't the smartest cat in the world,(she was imbred and rescued by me from death), so she would not understand at all if we had to give her away. She considers me her mother. It breaks my heart to think of having to give her away! Why is she wetting carpets and rugs? Is she just being territorial because of the newer, younger cat? We have had the young cat for over a year. Why is the older one just now beginning to mark carpets and rugs? Could she have a urinary problem? Her litterbox is always clean and she appears to be in no pain during urination. Please help me!What could be wrong?

Answer 1

If the behaviour has only begun recently, then it is possible that she has a urinary or bladder infection. If cat's experience any pain when using the litter box, they associate it with the pain and stop using it. They then begin urinating in different places in their search for a "pain free" toilet area.

If your vet can rule out medical problems, then you need to look at behavioural causes. These could be anything from not wanting to share a litter box with the other cat, or scent marking territory to keep the younger cat away from certain rooms or areas.

The Celia Haddon Cat Problem page, has a check list of 18 reasons why cats stop using their litter box and how to resolve the problems, which you may find helpful.

http://www.celiahaddon.co.uk/pet%20problems/cats/frameset.html

Please be patient with your cat. She is trying to tell you that something is wrong, in the only way she knows how.

Answer 2

Could she have a urinary problem? Yes. I wouldn't expect it would be a bladder infection as she shows no pain during urination, but if the kidneys were failing...does she drink a lot of water?
A urinalysis or blood test would show it, and fluids would make her feel a lot better, at least for a while.
Ask the vet about that and other possibilities.
Meanwhile, maybe litterboxes in the spots she likes to go would help. Maybe. The kidney cat I used to have looked for soft places to go and favored my washed clothes the most, LOL.
She was euthanized when she became anemic and lost weight but first she had 6 years of life after diagnosis!

Answer 3

if you put a dish of food (even a little food) where the cat is peeing, they will not pee there. Cleaning it up is a first step, but it will not prevent the recurrence. Your cat is marking territory. That's simply what they do. Give it time and it will stop. But meantime, try the food trick. I have 4 cats, and I had to introduce the 2 old ones to 2 new ones, and I went through the same thing. It will work out!

Answer 4

If she's just started this, lately, she could have a urinary tract infection and is trying to tell you that something's wrong. When my cats developed a UTI, she went all over the house, and never said a word! But, I knew something had to be wrong, so I took her to the vet! Sure enough!!! You can get things to remove the urine smell, at a pet store ("Simple Solution" works good). You need to have your vet check her out, for the UTI, and if she's healthy (physically), ask if he can prescribe some anti-anxiety meds for her. In my experience, two females in one household just don't get along! I have males and females and the only ones who fight are the females (with each other). So..............hope this helps.........Good luck..

Answer 5

First step is to the vet to ensure she has no bladder infection. Second would be to remove the rugs and either dispose of them or wash them in an odour eliminator. I have the same issue with my cats in my bathroom because the wet towels and rug smell slightly like litter. So I bought an automatic door closer. It keeps them permanently out of the room and no-one has to remember to shut the darn door!

It sounds like your older cat doesn't like your younger one yes, but you don't need to rehome to ensure both cats have a happy life. Ensure each of them have their own safe room, whether it be your room or your parents room, one each. They spend the most part of the day in these rooms with a litter tray and food and water. Then, allow them out for interaction time individually at intervals during the day.

If the older cat is still having urinating issues in your room, try crating her in a large dog crate until she retrains herself to use the litter tray. I would consider a Feliway spray or plug in as it releases endorphins to make her feel calm and safe.

Answer 6

Try adding another litter box in the house. The rule of thumb is one more cat box than cats.
Good Luck!
Tanya

Answer 7

If you clean the rug or carpet where they urinate with vinegar water, I've heard they will not return to that spot

Answer 8

she is being very territorial over the addition in ur family. And cat pee stinks...u know what u need to do here...good luck.