Expert: Tomay - 1/31/2006

Question
I have a two year old cat and she likes to jump in the dryer occasionally when I am putting in clothes.  I make it a game and she will jump out when I am ready to close the door.  She urinated in the dryer right before we had company arrive.  I figured she was very nervous about he atmosphere in the house due to the preparations of the impending arrival of the company (i.e. extensive cleaning, lots of shopping, etc.).  I cleaned the dryer and did what I could to soothe her.  She calmed down and actually enjoyed our company.  After two weeks' stay, when it came time for the guests to leave, she urinated on a piece of their luggage and all around on the floor close to it.  She started hissing and growling at them (she had not done this previously).  I took my cat upstairs and sat with her on my bed, where she sleeps and petted her and talked to her to be sure she was calm.  This behavior was so unexpected and so unusual for my cat, that I am concerned about whether this is going to be perpetual and whether she will go beserk every time someone comes to visit, and what can I do to prevent this type of behavior in the future?  

Answer
Hi,
I think you would benefit more by posing this question to someone on this site who specializes in cat behaviours.  I can, however, tell you what I think.  I think you are probably right in that she was a bit nervous the night your friends came in. However, I have found that when a cat suddenly changes their usual litter box habits, it is a good idea to make an appointment for a vet visit and have her checked for a urinary tract infection.  This is because when an infection is present, urination becomes uncomfortable and sometimes painful.  Cats being..well..cats, associate the litterbox with the discomfort, and so will search other places to go that won't 'hurt'.  Perhaps peeing in the dryer, a place she has always had fun in, was an effort to ease some discomfort.  The friends she made were pleasant for her, and perhaps she went on their luggage in that same search.  Maybe discomfort of somesort would also prompt her 'aggressive' behaviour.  If she comes out with a bill of health, then you may try 'Rescue Remedy' with her and see if that calms her any.  It is used alot by rescue groups to help calm nervous animals (and people too!)  It's all natural, so it won't be harmful in any way.  Then seek the advise of a behaviour specialist on this site. Oh, and be sure to thoroughly clean all areas she has peed on with a product containing enzymes, designed for cat urine odor removal.  Anything else will just mask it.
Hope this has been helpful,
Tomay