Cat Training and Behavior (Domestic and Feral)/Female cat peeing on couch

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Expert: Dear Tabbi - 12/1/2008


Question
We have a female cat non-spade, she is now about 2 years old.  Recently she urinated on the couch, not sure how many times as it is a leather couch and took us some time to figure out she did it. seemed she peed on each cushion. When we first found this out we figured it was because we just got a new dog. The cat and our new dog took a few days to get along. Now they play like little kids. Then one day while my father was visiting (not sure if this matters, my dad was only there 30 minutes and the cat has met my dad prior) my Fiancee caught the cat once again peeing on the couch. The litter box was just changed hours before. This was months after the first incident. So we figured it wasn't the dog, she loves my dad.
We now keep the cat in the basement as we are in a new house and can not trust her.
We don't know if spaying her will fix this problem.

Answer
Mike,

Spaying her will definitely help. Peeing is a part of being in heat, especially if the couch is by a window and she can see any male cats outside.

Another of the most common reasons for peeing is a urinary tract infection or urinary crystals. It is painful when they pee and they will associate that pain with the litterbox and go elsewhere.

You may want to get her checked for that when you spay her.

Tabbi

Cat Training and Behavior (Domestic and Feral)

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Dear Tabbi

Expertise

My expertise is in helping people understand their cat (or cats) and their behavior. Questions are welcome even if you don't have a cat....just a question about them. Hopefully my experience, suggestions, and comments will be of help to you...and your cat (or cats). Looking through my past responses to questions will give you additional information and/or answers too. Domestic Cats = cats (no matter what breed) who are tame or not wild, or abandoned cats who were pets that became wild, but can be tamed again. Ferals = cats who are born with one or more parents who were wild stray cats. They usually have had no interactions with people. They have an inbred distrust of humans and are difficult to socialize. They are skittish, hide, and are afraid of people. They take a lot of time and patience to work with them. A lot of kittens from shelters had a feral parent.

Experience

Since I was a child, over 45 years, I have been owned by a LOT of cats and kittens of almost every temperament, behavior, and personality. I have had experience with neurotic, disabled (including blind), stray, and 'problem child' cats and kittens. (A few normal cats too!) Plus all the things a lifetime of owning cats and research has taught me. I also have experience in feral cat behavior (which is different from domestic cats), and some experience with feral colonies that includes colony feeding and feral cat TNR (trap/neuter/release).

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