The Cat Bible Q&A
Tracie welcomes any and all questions about cats AND dogs on both her live radio shows. Call in to DOG TALK on Saturdays from 11-Noon (EST) to 800-394-8830 or Wednesdays 8-9 PM (EST) to CAT CHAT 866-675-6675. (You don't need to have Sirius to call in!)
Why is Missy Pissy?
Hi Tracie. I emailed you about introducing the new Kittie "Buster"!
I'm having a problem with my calico "Missy". During the remodel of my house last summer, Missy started peeing on anything that I used to cover and protect my new furniture! I had her tested for urinary tract infection...she had a slight one. It was treated, but she still pees on the ironing if I put it in a pile, throw rugs and the bathroom floor. She's gotten to where she pees on the bathroom floor twice a day!!! Please help me, I'm afraid the kitten will learn this behavior from her. How can I know if it still IS her and not the kitten. Missy is 2 1/2 yrs old.
Thanks,
Sherri
For some reason, piles of clean laundry and throw rugs are magnets for kitties with the slightest inclination towards having out-of-litter box habits. Throw rugs often have a latex backing that attracts them. (Is there carpeting or a rug with rubber backing in the bathroom?)
Flourescene, a type of dye, can be put into one cat's food 9ask your vet for it) to determine who is peeing, but it sounds like it is Missy since she was already developing the bad habit. She may very well be stressed, between the construction and the new kitten. Maybe she should be checked again for a UTI. How are Missy and Buster getting along? There could be some subtle rivalry going on that needs to be cleared up before the problem will be solved. Because of that in a chronic case like yours I would recommend a private session with "Dear Sally,"with the official cat behavior consultant on Cat Chat. With a personal conversation she can help get to the bottom of this mysterious problem. Her page on www.TracieHotchner.com is on the Cat Chat area as one of the feline experts.
To back up a little, the first question I should have asked is: How many litter boxes do you have? Do you know the Cat Chat rule of "one for each cat and one for the house — in your case, that would be three boxes. Is there one in the bathroom? Because if you don't have enough boxes, that needs to be addressed before anything else.
Good luck
Tracie
The information contained in the answers posted on this board comes from THE CAT BIBLE: Everything Your Cat Expects You To Know, and from CAT CHAT™ The Radio Show, broadcasting live on Martha Stewart Living Radio, Channel 112 on Sirius Satellite Radio, every Wednesday from 8-9 p.m. EST.
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DISCLAIMER: Please be aware that the advice I give on the air or in emails – or those you see posted here – are not intended to take the place of a veterinarian's advice or expertise. I say this to protect myself from being misunderstood or from your over-reliance on my advice in situations where your pet may be seriously ill and you would mistakenly delay seeking medical intervention. While I am confident in the research-based facts and common-sense advice I can offer, it is never meant to be used at the exclusion of trained, accredited and board certified professionals. But I also have this disclaimer to protect your dog – because what you learn from me is not intended to take the place of medical care or professional evaluation – on the contrary, my desire is to equip you with information that will allow you to enjoy your pets to the fullest, and also to encourage you to seek professional medical attention whenever there are physical symptoms or an overall change in your pet's attitude.
Tracie welcomes any and all questions about cats AND dogs on both her live radio shows. Call in to DOG TALK on Saturdays from 11-Noon (EST) to 800-394-8830 or Wednesdays 8-9 PM (EST) to CAT CHAT 866-675-6675. (You don't need to have Sirius to call in!)
