I don't think it is far fetched at all. I have occasionally seen my female cats spray. All my cats are "fixed", but I think they still occasionally feel the need to mark their territory the best they can. And even though my females are fixed, they still have gentleman callers at this time of the year & the fall.

I have 1 little girl, spayed, that will back up to the refrigerator and it looks likes she's spraying but there's nothing there....She was born feral but has been inside since she's been 3 months old. Maybe that trait is hard to get rid of... We did have a neighbor whose female spayed cat would always mark her territory if she was outside....Let us know what the vet has to say....

"Inappropriate" urination sometimes goes along with urinary tract infections, very serious business in cats, so it's good to check with vet.

It may be just anxiety, too;
cats *do not* like upset/uproar/lots of activity/changes.

They don't care if it *is* renovations, they don't want *anything* changed.

(My old Ragdoll would tinkle under a kitchen chair every time I decorated for Christmas.)

Your post presented several different possible explanations for your cat's behavior. It may be either physically or behaviorally based. Since most inappropriate urination is associated with either urinary tract infection or urinary stones/crystals, you are wise to take her to the vet ASAP for a checkup and urine test. If she is determined healthy, then you need to explore the behavioral triggers.

As mentioned, many cats react badly to changes in their environment. You are doing household renovations, replacing furniture that she no doubt considered "hers", and have even changed her own litter. Take your pick; any or all of these events could stress out and trigger inappropriate urination in your cat. It's also completely possible that there are stray animals coming into your yard that are triggering territorial marking by your cat.

You need to do everything possible to minimize the changes and reassure your cat that all is well. Switching back to the old litter is a step in the right direction. If you also moved the location of her box or are using a different type of box (covered vs uncovered), return to the old location and box type.

If you still have any of the old furniture that you haven't gotten rid of yet, consider taking the slip cover off of an old cushion and making her a bed out of it, or stick her favorite piece of old furniture into the corner of an unused room for her.

If you have workmen or furniture movers coming into your home, place your cat into a separate room until they leave so that she won't be stressed by their presence.

Spend plenty of extra time petting and playing with your cat to reassure her that all is well in your home and that she won't be the next "old thing" to be renovated or replaced.

It wouldn't be a bad idea to buy some Feliway to spray around your home (esp. the areas where she has urinated) to help calm her nerves.

Lastly, buy an enzymatic cleaner like Simple Solution or Nature's Miracle specifically formulated to remove pet stain odors and saturate the spot(s) where she has urinated. If you just clean the spots with regular carpet cleaner or household cleaner, she will still smell the urine and be inclined to continue to overmark her own scent.

Laurie

The old furniture is still on the same floor, in a different room. Which is why I haven't really considered it as the main concern. Plus we've had it for 3 weeks like that, now.

The reno's are being taken place in a room she's not even allowed in, but I thought since cats always seem to know 'something' is changing, it was worth mentioning.

I noticed her just a few mins ago, walking around, flicking her tail like she did when she urinated. This is making me think somethings bugging her. So definately the vet is in order. I just wondered if even mentioning the possibility of another cat to the vet, was worth it or not if she does come out healthy. Thanks guys!

Hi Munkos..

Don't know if it's just me but.. a week seems like a really long time to go without changing the litter.. I know you have two cats.. maybe they each have their own box? I just know that my 2 cats needed their litter changed about every 3 days.. 4 at the VERY most. If I didn't do it then they would just hold it and start wailing at me until I did.. but I know that when I was a kid and I REALLY didn't want to change the litter my baby didn't have a choice but to start going around the house.. (yes I got into royal trouble for that from dear mom!)

So I wonder if just doing more frequent litter changes might help you?

Mokanee

Mokanee, I believe that what Munkos meant to say was that she switched the brand of litter she was using a week ago. I assume she cleans her litterboxes more than once a week.

Laurie

Doh! Whoops!!!

My husband's male cat was neutered as a kitten and began spraying at age 14 when I moved into his house. He sprayed my clothes that were hanging on my drying rack, he sprayed our patio furniture cushions stored in the basement, he sprayed a contractor's shoes who was working in our house.... This went on for months before my DH put him down (this was 10 years ago).

Spraying is a territorial behavior thing, not medical -- it is difficult to stop it once it starts. I believe they do offer psychiatric drugs now that lesson it though. Good luck.

Thank goodness people no longer have to euthanize their cats when there's a change in the household.

Feliway has made all the difference in the world to my cats & home in times of stress/change.

It's a wonderful mood-mellower.

I had a chance to see how well Feliway worked two of my cats RocKat and Sam were having issues with each other and growling and kitty stareing so I sprayed some Feliway in the air near them. They got relaxed with their eyes half opened, an hour later they were laying on the bed together.