I've heard you several times on Sirius but have not had the opportunity to call with my question. About 3 months ago we adopted a then 4 month old female kitten from a family friend who had moved and needed to find a place for her. We also have two indoor/outdoor dogs (male 2 1/2 yr old Chocolate Lab and female 7 year old Irish Setter mix) and a 7 year old neutered male indoor/outdoor orange tabby. She gets along with famously with all of them. Maddie, the kitty in question, had previously been allowed outside but was mostly an inside cat and came to us with the disclaimer that she wasn't quite litter trained. She is now an inside only cat but is dying to get outside at any opportunity and lies in wait by the door to escape.

For approximately the first 6 weeks she did great with the litter box, which is kept in the master bathroom and is always accessible. Not an accident to be had. Actually, she loved the litter box. She seemed obsessed with it. But...about 6 weeks ago, she began urinating on some folded lap blankets that were in the living room. I gently removed her and took her to the litter box. I also moved the blankets to eliminate (no pun intended!) the temptation. Then she found a place in front of the fireplace in the living room, about 2 feet from the basket that used to have the blankets in it. For some reason, she has stopped urinating in the living room, but has now found a spot in my bedroom near a wall and also on any rug, all cotton, not rubber backed, that I put down in the bathroom. Come to think of it, she also will urinate on anything made of cloth that we put on the laundry room floor. When she goes where she shouldn't, it doesn't seem like it's because she can't hold it. It's like she either can't resist the temptation or wants to go there because it's not very much. It's as if it is only what she can squeeze out. She still uses the litter box for "real" urination and poop. This is driving me crazy and I don't know what to do to steer her back to using only the litter box. She's such a sweet, affectionate little girl and we need a solution to this. If you have any suggestions, that would be very helpful.

Thanks in advance!
Amy & Michael
Texas

Hi Michael & Amy -

I spoke to Dear Sally about this and here are some of her ideas: you might also want to contact her (see her page on CatChatRadio.com) for some personalized, professional help in managing this complex situation!

The cat might be acting out because *everyone* goes out and she doesn't. It almost sounds like marking behavior. (At 7 months, she may be going into heat if she hasn't been spayed...which may be why she wants to go out.)

Anything made of cloth left on the floor -- rugs, etc. -- are prime targets. Piles of clean laundry, heaps of dirty clothes, it doesn't matter- some cats like to anoint them. Best to take them up off the floor and don't leave anything made of material on the floor.

Add another litter box. This always helps. Consider using different brands and kinds of litter to see whether she prefers one over another.

Given the small amounts of urine she is producing, is there a possible UTI? Have you had her urine tested for any kind of infection or crystals?

How much pee is in the litter box? This will tell you something about her urinary health.

Could the dogs, however friendly, be bothering her in the box and she just pees when she has the chance, wherever she is? Make sure the dogs don't have access to the litter box area(s).

Hope this helps.

Tracie Hotchner