adopted cat keeps peeing everywhere (safe, sleeping, dogs, litter) - Cats - - City-Data Forum

alixjack · 06-12-2009, 08:12 PM

On June 2, my husband and I adopted a spayed, 6 year old female cat from a shelter. My husband had the week off from work so he spent a lot of time with her. She took to the litter box pretty quickly, didn't have any accidents, everything was cool. We went out of town out of the weekend and a girl from work came to check on her both of the days that we were gone and there were no problems. On Monday, my husband went out of town for business. He is allergic to cats so he doesn't let Suki into the bedroom. On Tuesday and Wednesday night, I didn't block the doorway very well and she got into our room both nights. On Wednesday, I had a day off and spent the majority of it hanging out with the cat. On Wednesday night, I had a friend over. Suki doesn't really like my dog, Ari. Ari doesn't really care about Suki, generally doesn't pay any attention to her. We have shelves mounted on the wall above the couch for the cat to eat and get away from the dog. While my friend was over on Wednesday night, Suki jumped over Ari, laying on the couch, to get to her shelves, and Ari nipped at her. I don't think she made contact, but if she did it wasn't much because it didn't interrupt Suki's trajectory. I also blocked the bedroom door better that night because I didn't want to have a fur-filled room when my husband gets back. While I was sleeping, she peed on the couch in the general area that the dog interaction occurred. I woke up Thursday morning and tried to clean it up. I came home on my break from work today, and she had peed on the couch again, in the same general area. I had just doused the thing with vinegar and baking soda when I noticed that my dog was laying next to her bed. I went over to it, and sure enough, there was another pee spot, on the dog bed. I'm not sure when that one was created.

Her litter box is completely clean and is located in between the wall and the couch that she peed on.

I think its pretty clear that she's either peeing out of aggression towards the dog, or towards me for locking her out of the bedroom [the dog bed was right outside the bedroom door]. How can I fix this? I called the shelter and they directed me to a local animal behaviorist, but she didn't return my call today and won't be back in the office until Monday.

Thanks so much for any help you give.

SouthernBelleInUtah · 06-12-2009, 09:07 PM

Cats have a unique way of showing their displeasure! But it could also be a urinary tract infection. It hurts to pee so they associate the pain w/litter box and try to go somewhere else to avoid the pain. However, since it's the dog's places, I think she's telling him what she thinks of him. Go to PetCo and get an enzyme cleaner - ask - it's the only thing that will take the smell out.

alixjack · 06-12-2009, 09:12 PM

the vinegar/baking soda combination is doing pretty well with the smell. i tried petzyme before the vinegar, and it didn't seem to work.

i'm more concerned about getting the cat to stop peeing than getting rid of the smell. its an old couch and we were planning on getting rid of it anyway, but i dont want to get a new one if she's just going to pee on it.

Tama · 06-12-2009, 09:46 PM

She is new and stressed most likely. (My son's cat hid in one room behind a bookshelf for days after he adopted her.) (She is normal now!) Could she have her own space for a week maybe. In an extra room with her things and her litter. NO dogs and no stress. Then slowly she can come out when she feels ready. Visit her and pat her and make her feel safe during that time.

Simple Solution from Petsmart is good to mask the smell from the cat herself to prevent the scent from encouraging another pee. Also, you could take her in for a urine check if she doesn't settle in a day or two just in case but maybe she needs relief from the dog for a while.

alixjack · 06-12-2009, 09:51 PM

Unfortunately our apartment is pretty small and we don't have any extra rooms, but maybe I'll try taking my dog to work or keeping the dog in the bedroom. Thank you!

I'm going to try to return that crappy petzyme stuff, hopefully they'll let me exchange it for Simple Solution. Thanks again!

ShelbyGirl1 · 06-13-2009, 08:39 AM

There could be a very good chance your cat has a UTI. A round of meds and she could stop the eliminating outside the box. Have her checked pronto! Of course, stress could be the culprit as well....but have her medically checked first.

Laura707 · 06-13-2009, 09:00 AM

I would try shutting her in the bathroom with a litter box when I am not there... and watch her close when you are there.

alixjack · 06-13-2009, 10:01 AM

last night i kept the dog in the bedroom with me so that suki could have herself some suki time. woke up to not only pee on the couch, but poo as well. good thing i covered that sucker in plastic before i went to bed. she squirms like crazy and spreads her legs out really far when i bring her near the litter box too. i'm making an appointment for the vet right now.

SouthernBelleInUtah · 06-13-2009, 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alixjack

last night i kept the dog in the bedroom with me so that suki could have herself some suki time. woke up to not only pee on the couch, but poo as well. good thing i covered that sucker in plastic before i went to bed. she squirms like crazy and spreads her legs out really far when i bring her near the litter box too. i'm making an appointment for the vet right now.

Yeah, that sounds like a pain-association with the litt4er box. Hope it works out for you!

Tama · 06-13-2009, 11:39 AM

Let us know how Suki is doing. When things are straightened out--if it is within your budget--one of those towers -preferably one that has a high perch set off in a quiet place "with a view" might provide her a resting place up high away from pup and where she feels secure.