Question:
I have had my house cat, Honey, for three years now, ever since she was a kitten. With no changes in her diet or surroundings, she has begun to urinate on the carpet in the apartment. I have taken her to the vet, and she has no infection. Why is she doing this, and how do I get her to stop?.
G.L.C., Lake Ridge, Va Feb 26, 2006
Answer:
You are facing the most common and frustrating behavioral problem of cats, for which too many are physically abused. Others are put up for adoption or euthanized.Ruling out a physical cause, look to the environment. Carpet textures mimic outdoor grass and soil, which can be an evacuation trigger for cats. Take up the carpet, or turn it over (after using an enzyme cleaner or white vinegar) and see whether the cat stops urinating on it. Be sure the litter box is always kept clean and is in a quiet place. Remove the top if it has one. Some cats develop an aversion to ammonia buildup. Try changing the type of litter, and set up a second litter box.Also consider the possibility that your cat is suffering from separation anxiety if she is left alone for extended periods, and discuss appropriate treatment with your veterinarian. Note: Some cats become house-soilers when they see other cats through a window, especially when those cats spray around the house, caterwaul and upset the resident cat. Others become house-
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