Cat Peeing in House :(

[Loselocket]

I am hoping some of you knowledgeable lot will be able to help with an issue we are having with one of our cats.

We have two cats, half siblings, 6 years old. They are outdoor cats however we moved house this year so got them a litter tray to use before they could go outside. They now have a cat flap which they do use but don’t love. They still use the litter tray. We’d hoped to get rid of the trays but not sure how to make that transition now.

One of them has started peeing in a particular area of the house. She will even do it right in front of you. Does anyone know why she’d be doing this?

As far as I can tell they are happy cats. They are absolutely adored and live what appears to be the life of Riley sleeping all day on the kids beds. I think they like each other - they choose to both sleep on the same bed for example when they could sleep separately. They sometimes lick each other adorably and also sometimes play fight (hopefully this isn’t a bad sign). They go to the vets yearly for their injections but have never needed to go other than this but I see no signs that this cat is in any way unhealthy although obviously if people think she needs a vet visit we will take her.

Any ideas? I now realise I should have got them a tray each to begin with and have now bought another.

How can I stop her doing this? We use the special spray once she’s done it but it doesn’t stop her doing it in the same place. I have read they don’t like tin foil but I’m not sure if she’ll just do it elsewhere if I put foil in usual spot.

Grateful for any advice!!

You could try putting a litter tray in her favourite peeing spot? She is obviously comfortable there so might do the trick.

I would get her checked over at the vets - any change in behaviour ought to be checked out, especially as UTI's are so easily treatable.

I should have said it’s a spot right at doors and the bottom of the stairs too so can’t really put a tray there annoyingly or that would have been a big help!

Vets it is me thinks.

Once a vet has ruled out medical conditions usually a cat peeing outside of a litter tray is a sign of stress. She's trying to let you know she's not happy about something. You should have 1 tray per cat, plus a spare so 3 litter trays for 2 cats. There could be a new local cat she doesn't like, or it could be that the previous house owners cat peed in that spot and so it's scent marked. Cat fosterer for many years so have had to deal with this many times unfortunately. It can be difficult to pin point what's causing the issue so best of luck!

How often does it happen? Any wee dribbling elsewhere? Any changes in the household even temporary?

One of ours is a sensitive lad and wees on the bed any time anyone new comes to stay or my DP goes away for work. It could be a UTI or higher up into the kidneys so could be worth a call to the vet but if something obvious like someone new is staying in 'her' room and it's only this week it may resolve itself.

Puppy pads taped down in preferred areas?

Thanks both!

Will get another tray but my aim is at some point for them to go back to only doing the toilet outside. Is it worth trying just removing the trays fully in the hope they go outside? If not now - how do I eventually get them going just outside again?

I honestly can’t think what could be bothering her. She shows absolutely no signs of being unhappy. She gets attention when she wants attention and gets left alone when she wants to be left alone. No changes other than the move but to begin with she was fine so I don’t think it’s related to that although obviously could be. They are both much loved and adored cats who I think live a perfect life. My kids are older so they’re never tormented or anything like that. Maybe this does point to it being medical?

I will get some puppy pads and put them where she is doing it because that will be easier than cleaning the carpet every time.

I don’t know if there cats here previously. I don’t think the people we bought from had one but it’s possible the people before that did but you’d be going back 10+ years I reckon!

It’s happening once or twice a week I would say - that I know of. She could be doing it without us knowing too.