Expert: Charlotte Sherrell, DVM - 6/23/2008

Question
Hi There,

So I just moved about three weeks ago into a new place and I have two loving/adorable male cats (a little over a year old now)and out of the blue they (I say they but it could only be one of them) have peed on two things owned by my roommate. The thing is, they have grown up around her their entire lives (so they are used to her smell) and have only peed on two specific things. First they peed on a towel of hers (she left it laying out on a chair in our living room), however it was used by her boyfriend right before they peed on it. Then, last night my roommate got home and informed me that one or both of them had peed on her bed. Curiously they peed on her pillows, up at the head of the bed. Again, her boyfriend had just been over to spend the night the night before this happened. We have been living together for a while now, and this JUST started. Her things are all over, however they have JUST peed on these two things. Why are they doing this? They have NEVER done on anything like this before. Is it her hormones maybe? Are they mad because I was gone (I was gone the previous night)? Are they marking their territory because of her boyfriend? Please help me. I'm a grad student and all this damage is costing me A LOT of money! I love my babies but I can't allow them to continue this new and disgusting behavior. Thanks for your time, I really hope I hear back from you soon!!

-Heather

Answer
Heather -

It seems as though the cat (one or both) may feel stressed because they are in a new environment.     I am not a behaviorist, but it appears that there are territorial issues to be addressed.  If in fact the cats had never urinated inappropriately before, then there is the possibility that they may be marking to claim their territory.  To compound things, your roommate has introduced someone different into the household.  Both moving and the introduction of a stranger to their already new environment can add to the stress level of a cat.  New environments are particularly stressful because cats are fiercely territorial.  

It is important to reduce the stress in the household.  If you have not unpacked, do so in order to get things back to normal.  Pheromones can often help alleviate stress - Feliway or Comfort Zone are pheromone analogues that have been proven to help relieve stress behaviors in the home.  Place them in rooms the cats frequent and the may help to decrease level in the home.  

If in fact the cats are claiming territory from your roommates' boyfriend, it may be wise to have the boyfriend feed the cats.  Animals will develop a healthy respect for the person that provides them food.  This should also help to reduce stress and the boyfriend no longer is viewed as a stranger.  

Of course, you should try to determine which cat is doing the marking.  Your veterinarian will have techniques that can help to determine which cat is actually urinating on the boyfriends' clothes.  

Best Regards,

Charlotte Sherrell, DVM