From: pdsmith.mitre.org (Pat Smith)
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
Subject: Re: Help...cat spraying
Date: 21 Aug 92 20:34:31 GMT
Organization: The MITRE Corporation

In article <1992Aug21.161748.9302@schbbs.mot.com>, XLSS01@maccvm.corp.mot.com (Student1 Clsacct) writes:
> 
> 
> i
> My 5 year old spayed female, indoor cat has recently begun peeing in the
> house.  It started approximately 3 months ago so I immediately took her to
> the vet who said that she DID not have an infection but they did fine
> traces of crystals in her urine.  They prescribed URIGARD which I gave
> her religiously for 14 days.  It seemed to work.  Well now its has
> started all over again.  The vet did say that they really didn't thing
> that the small crystals was make he spray like she has been and it could
> be psychological.  What has changed in our lives to make her feel so
> stressed.  Well 21 months ago we brought home a bouncing baby boy.  The
> cats were pretty good...no real problems.  Now our son is very active
> and just loves to yell and run after the cats.  Sooty (our older cat)
> handles it just fine.  Marbe (our problem) takes shelter upstairs where
> we have provided her a safe harbor from him.   The vet thinks it is
> probably not our son who is causing this.  OUr other cat has a prima-dona
> personality.  She is part Siamese and was the first cat we had (1 year)
> before we brought Marbe home.  They have lived together for 5 years now
> and always seemed to tolerate each other.  Now it seems like the older
> cat doesn't want to be bothered with Marbe.  They seemed to chase each
> other around at night screaming and fighting.  It gets pretty bad.  I
> am wondering if Marbe's peeing is a territorial thing.
> I am thinking of putting her back on the URIGARD since I have half a
> bottle left.  I am very worried.  Not so much about me...hey I can
> clean up the messes.  I feel so bad for Marbe.  I know this goes against
> the personality of a cat.  She must be very distressed about something.
> I have read cat psychology books for clues...I have showered her with
> undivided attention (when possible) and nothing seems to work.
> Let me just say that giving her away is out of the question.  I love
> both my cats.  They have seen me through thick and thin and I plan
> on doing the same for them.  Marbe was a wild abused kitten when we
> got her (she was 3 months) and she is reclusive.  She really only loves
> my husband and I.  When we have guests she hides out until she really
> knows she is safe.
> If someone could give me some insight I would be very grateful.
> I am at a loss as to what to do next.
> Thanks.
> Robyn
> 
> 
sounds like you need to get rid of the 21 month old - no seriously, sounds
like the cats is jealous.  My kitty did similar nauties last fall when my
husband was on business for 4 weeks straight and I was back and forth out of
state for 2-3 days at a time.  I would get home late, sleep, go to work and
leave again for another 2-3 days.  I had someone watching the cats but she was
very disrupted.  Once we were back on a normal schedule, her bad habits
ceased.  I am not sure what you can do except be patient and hope the cat
adjusts to the child.  Perhaps as the child gets older and less interested
in the cat, maybe the cat will calm down. Maybe get the cat some toys and
 give it a lot of attention Good luck.
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