You are here:
Cat Training and Behavior (Domestic and Feral)/Cat behavior
Advertisement
Question
I have 2 female cats, 9 and 5. I have 2 litter boxes in the bathroom, one is located in bathtub. For the past 2-3 weeks, one cat (I don't know which) is peeing in the bathtub outside the litter box. It is not a daily occurrence,but every 2-3 days. Prior to this recent epsisode, it has happened 2-3 times/year. I even left the litter box out of the tub for several days and a cat peed in the bare tub. I have noticed one of my cats does not bury her feces. I am wondering if it is annoying the other cat-hence she pisses in the tub. Any suggestions? I am tired of scrubbing the bathtub.
Phyllis,
The most common reason for this type of behavior is that one (or both) may have a urinary tract infection, or urinary crystals. Both are painful cats associate that pain with the litterbox and go elsewhere.
You may also want to get your 9 year old (she is 52 years old in human years) an "older cat checkup" to check the function of her kidneys, liver, and thyroid.
Being prepared and knowledgable about elderly cats will make things easier for the cat and for you. I am including some very good links about older cats:
(Copy and paste, or type, the whole links into your address bar)
http://www.sniksnak.com/resources/geriatric.html
http://www.messybeast.com/towards-end.htm
http://www.2ndchance.info/oldcat.htm
Not burying feces is a sign of dominance, or it could also be a sign of laziness because she knows you will clean it up. (smile)
I would have the cats checked for a medical issue before dealing with it as a behavioral problem.
Tabbi
Related Articles
- Ask Amy - Cat Poop - Cat Pooping In Sink
- A Cat Care Guide for Blind Humans - How to Care for Cats You Can't See
- Member's Mark is Good for Multi-Cat Homes - Reader Review: Cat Litters
- Messy Pets - Home Organizing
- Feline Behavior Spotlight - Straight Talk About Feline Behavior Problems and Feliway
Answers by Expert:
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).
Education/Credentials
***********
Awards and Honors
* One of the top 50 Experts Of 2008 *
©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.