Expert: Dear Tabbi - 7/27/2008

Question
My cat is female about 8 years and lives with me and another female cat of same age. When I am about to go away and when I return my kitty pees on my stuff, bags clothes bathmats and then when I return the same but now it has progressed to peeing on my bed and pillow.  How can I make her stop.  I love her but can't live with this

Answer
Frances,

How to make her stop? Don't go away and leave her (smile).

That is a common behavior problem that occurs when the cat gets upset that you are gone. The bladder is the cat’s stress target and one of the most common feline responses to stress is inappropriate elimination.  That is her way of telling you (and showing you) that she is upset by your absences. What a cat pees on items that belong to you or on your side of the bed or on your pillow, she is directing her 'mad' towards you personally.

Keep your bedroom door closed or put a shower curtain over the bed with a blanket over it. Don't just put plasitc over it because cats LIKE to pee on plastic. Give her LOTS of attention and kitty treats (tinned sardines in oil, people tuna, slightly cooked shrimp, etc.)  before you leave and when you get back. She may then look FORWARD to you leaving because she gets extra attention and treats when you leave her and she may not be as upset. Just before you leave give her some new toys...a ball, a catnip toy, etc. to keep her amused while you are gone. Even some gerbils in a cage or an aquarium will help keep her amused.

I hope this helps.

Tabbi

Note: you may want to take her to the vet to make sure she doesn't have a urinary tract infection or urinary crystals. They behavior in the same manner with either of those.