Expert: Brandy - 1/8/2007

Question
We recently added a kitten to our house hold. We have two 1 year old cats, and 3 children, one a baby under a year. We got the kitten about 1 1/2 months ago.

She has suddenly started to urinate on the baby's things; her car seat any time we forget to turn it upsidedown, and also my toddlers (3 years) little chair after the baby played in it. She is also constantly sneaking into the baby's crib for her own naps.

It seems behavioral, as she uses the litterbox all over times. She is eating and drinking normally and seems in good health.

Is there any way to fix this? All my cats are indoor only, but due to my allergies will soon be allowed outdoors (after our vet trips) Could this behavior stop with outside time? She is getting spayed today, will this help?

We, obviously, have to put the baby first. If this is permanent behavior, I'll have to adopt her out. Out side of this new behavior, she is a fantastic kitten. She is great with the older two children, and my adult cats love her. Help!

Answer
Um, don't take this the wrong way, but the kitten is peeing in the same areas where the baby...probably has 'leaked', and to her, the smell is almost the same. I'm sure you're washing your baby's things in hot/bleach solutions, so perhaps thoroughly wiping down the baby's carseat (I don't have kids, so I'm not sure if the cushions can be removed) as well as anywhere the baby's tush meets could help.

Spaying her will prevent unneeded marking, which is different than a male's in that females will mark on top of furniture, not against it.

As for letting her outdoors, I don't think it will factor at all for her penchant for urinating where the baby sits. She is still young enough to break her of this habit, but it will take a bit of time and patience; just keep an eye on her.

Good luck