The Cat Keeps Pissing

[Wowthisisreal]

Hi All,

I'm in a bit of a predicament and I'm hoping someone can help me. I'll try and provide as much context as possible.

We moved into our new home 1 year ago and welcomed a baby a few months later. Our two cats (one 7 and the other 3) were previously indoor cats living in a two bedroom flat. They now have a 3 bed house to play in. We kept them indoors for a few months as we knew this would be an adjustment but over the course of the summer allowed them out. Our male cat (3) is now totally obsessed with going outside whereas our female is not bothered at all. We currently have no cat flap so I am opening the door for the male every time he scratches. I have ordered a cat flap and am getting one installed next week in our kitchen patio doors.

We have a litter tray downstairs in the hallway and it has been the same place for most of the year now. We clean it regularly and have not changed litter brands etc. We hear our female cat go to the toilet regularly in there (it has a flap and she scratches at it after she has gone!!)

We have a playroom downstairs and we keep coming downstairs in the morning for to find urine in this room. Firstly it was on my sons tummy time mat, then on a changing mat, most recently on some clean clothes on the sofa in there and finally, this morning, on a cushion. I have to assume it is the male cat as he is the one who always wants to go out and I hear the female use the litter tray. The playroom is not really in use at the moment but as my son gets older I will be using it as I can block it off with a stair gate and it will be a safe space for him to play with a visual for me in the kitchen.

We have NEVER had an issue with this before. I'm to assuming it is a protest as male cat wants to go out but can't in the night?

I'm looking for advice on how to stop this behaviour. My son is not yet mobile so does not cause the cats any obvious stress. He was born in January and this soiling has only happened past few months. I'm worrying that my son is going to crawl soon and I can't have him rolling around in urine!! I'm paranoid it's happening elsewhere but I'm only uncovering it in the playroom.

I love my cats and so I want to do whatever I can to be responsible for all. I have thrown away everything they have soiled (and had to redo all of this weeks washing!!).

Most cats don't like the flap on litter trays, remove it. You should also ideally have at least a tray per cat (or more, if at all possible). I would put a tray in the room you're finding the accidents at the moment, you can then gradually move it later when you will start using it as a play room. Is there something about this room compared to the current litter tray location that is more attractive to a cat? For example, is it more secluded, easier to access or anything like that.

You should also rule out a medical problem as urinary infections are a very common reason for cats to start peeing outside the litter tray.

Clean any areas where there's been cat pee with an enzyme cleaner to remove the smell completely as any hint of pee smell will encourage them back in the same spots.

There could be new cats in the neighbourhood that are causing stress to your boy cat as well. Lots of possible reasons really. I'd start with an extra litter tray and a vet visit, ideally for a urine sample to be taken to rule out infections.