cat question - peeing on stuff

[gymdudeva]

Posted: 7/24/07 at 9:34am

My cat has taken to peeing on any worn clothing that I have lying around in the bedroom. I am admittedly a slob, so there is often a t-shirt or socks on the floor. For the past couple of weeks, witout fail every night she pees on said clothing.

So OK, I pick up everything off the flor. Then she proceeds to pee on the bare floor where she had peed before (I guess the scent is still there). Then this morning, she pees in my gym bag!! (which was on the floor)

Does this indicate some sort of problem? She does drink a lot of water but has been doing that for a while and seems fine otherwise. She is older (13 years old). I guess I will take her to the vet but any insight is appreciated.

[best12bars]

Posted: 7/24/07 at 9:39am

She's just pissed off at you.

[JohnBoy2]

Posted: 7/24/07 at 9:46am

This is not usual, as you must know, if you've had her for 13 years. However, as an older cat, she might be diabetic, which would explain the large consumption of water. But cats, by nature, don't like to pee where they can't bury it. You should take her to a vet.

[Mamie]

Posted: 7/24/07 at 9:50am

Definitely take her to the vet. My cat didn't start doing this until she became very sick. Other causes can be a recent change in her litter or moving the litter box? Maybe a general change in your household - a new baby, new pet, anything like that. Cats, older cats especially, get very stressed when their home environment changes.

I do hope she gets better soon. Please take her in and get her checked by the docs - ok?

[polly2]

Posted: 7/24/07 at 10:02am

if this is a new thing, definitely get her checked. however, my mil's cat hated men so whenever my hubby would leave clothes on the floor she'd pee on them. at one point, he slept on the floor in a sleeping bag and the cat climbed on top of him and peed on him. apparently he was very upset lol. but this cat had done this since she was brought home from the pound

[Unknown User]

Posted: 7/24/07 at 10:04am

I just spit tea all down myself at that, Polly!

[Elphaba]

Posted: 7/24/07 at 10:14am

gym, take her to the vet. This is often a sign that she is winding down, ie kidney failure.

A year ago I had to put my 17yr old down. He'd pee in the box, but also in several other places, and he had never done that. The vet gave us pills and that worked for a couple of days, but it is a sign that she is not well, in pain, etc.

I do not like saying this. My cat was my best friend for 17 years, but for her sake go to the vet. It was the hardest thing I've ever done.
I hope it will be nothing, but be prepared.

If you need to talk, PM me.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 7/24/07 at 10:21am

Yep Elphaba-- it's not a good sign. My cat would occasionally pee on something as a sign- sometimes if someone with a cat came over, she'd smell it and feel the need to "Mark" her territory. But at the end, she sudenly started peeing everywhere-- on my desk, on the floor. I took her to the vet and sure enouhg, kidney faliure. Poor dear. She had a long full life.

[keen on kean]

Posted: 7/24/07 at 10:23am

Do take the cat to the vet for a checkup. It may be diabetes (which makes an older cat urinate more) or there may be other older cat issues coming up indirectly. As a cat lover with a 14 year old "girl" in the house, I have been through this, too. Good luck -

[misschung]

Posted: 7/24/07 at 11:24am

ditto - it might also be a thyroid problem. I wish you the best, it's terrible when something's up with one of your pets.

[RobbO]

Posted: 7/24/07 at 11:30am

innocent question, gymdude: do you live alone?

[SeanMartin]

Posted: 7/24/07 at 11:33am

It could also be a sign of kidney stones, especially if her diet is mostly dry food. But yes, by all means, get her to the vet.

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 7/24/07 at 11:33am

Yep. Vet. STAT.

[gymdudeva]

Posted: 7/24/07 at 12:57pm

OK, thanks all.

To answer some of your questions, this peeing is new, but it is ONLY on things that have my strong scent on them (i.e., things I have sweated in). And she seems fine otherwise...my former cat had kidney failure, and this seems very different.

No, no changes of any kind in the house. I have only had her about 5 years, but no changes in that time, litter box always in the same place. I do live alone. Also, I let her outside any time she wants (she sticks very close to home...no lectures, please), and she does her business out there a lot. She eats both wet and dry food, in about equal amounts.

The only new thing I can thing of is that my landlord, with who, I share a backyard, got a dog, and sometimes the dog goes outside, at which point my cat comes running inside, heh. I wonder if this could prompt her to mark things more.

She also seems more affectionate latey (i.e., in my lap more), which to me means she may not feel too well, even if she has no symptoms. My former cat was a mean tomcat but got more lovey-dovey when his kidneys started failing.

OK I will take her to the vet soon.

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 7/24/07 at 1:00pm

Marking territory and urinating outside the box are two different things, if I am not mistaken.
If she is drinking more than usual that is not a good sign.
Don't wait. If you love her take her now.

[Elphaba]

Posted: 7/24/07 at 1:04pm

exactly as Sueleen says....take her now. She's your family.

and I won't lecture about allowing her outside, but believe me I am lecturing in my mind!

[kelzama]

Posted: 7/24/07 at 1:07pm

On the obvious side: Do you keep her litterbox scrupulously cleaned-out? Changed it's location?

Many of our cats late in life developed a finickiness to stinky litterboxes.

As far as remarking territory: Get Terminodor, or some similar cleaning deodorizing agent that's meant for such pet messes. Plain old cleanup won't do it. You can use it in your laundry, also. She won't be as likely to remark, if the scent is gone.

[gymdudeva]

Posted: 7/24/07 at 1:11pm

Can I get this Terminodor at most grocery stores?

I keep the litter box fairly clean. She doens't use it too much since she goes outside, and she peed in my bedroom even after I cleaned the litter box. Location of litter box has never changed.

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 7/24/07 at 1:13pm

Stop the speculation and take her to the vet. Are you not able to take her now?

[kelzama]

Posted: 7/24/07 at 1:20pm

Any major pet supply retailer will have something like it--an enzymatic cleaner that breaks down the odor.

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 7/24/07 at 1:43pm

Here are a couple shots of my new babies...Nigel and Eddie.

[gymdudeva]

Posted: 7/24/07 at 1:44pm

I made an appointment with the vet for first thing in the morning.

[MotorTink]

Posted: 7/24/07 at 1:44pm

they are adorable

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 7/24/07 at 1:47pm

Thanks Tink, and gymdude, good for you.

[Elphaba]

Posted: 7/24/07 at 1:52pm

glad to hear it gymdude..

too cute, Sueleen