
Kitten Urination Behavior
We have a six year old female cat. About a year ago we adopted a male kitten, now one year old. The new cat is very friendly toward the old cat but the old cat has nothing to do with the new cat. It took at least four months or so before the old cat would even begin to tolerate the new one. Lately we have noticed that on occasion there is cat defecation and urination in one of our three children's bedrooms. We are virtually certain it is the doing of the older cat, although we have never caught her in the act. She seems not to ever use her litter box any more, preferring to go outside (it seems to us) almost exclusively. In this warmer weather the older cat spends as much of the day outside as she wants to. We let her out quite a bit. Even in the winter time most of her potty duty is spent outside. We read with great interest the letter and your response to the 3 year old cat urinating in the electric stove. We see many similarities in our situations. Is there anything specific that we can do? Both of our cats are regularly seen by a local veterinarian. Is there a specific medication we should ask for? Prior to getting the new kitty the old cat never ever messed in the house. Do you think this is related to the two cat household we now have?
This does sound like a classic territorial behavioral problem. In addition to separation and additional cat boxes, you may need behavioral modification medications. Specific medications found useful in other similar situations, include Buspirone, Megestrol acetate and Doxepin. None are without side effects, so be sure to follow the guidance of your veterinarian. I personally find Buspirone to be the easiest, safest, and most effective oral medication for helping cats in a multi-cat household relax.
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Kitten Urination Behavior

We have a six year old female cat. About a year ago we adopted a male kitten, now one year old. The new cat is very friendly toward the old cat but the old cat has nothing to do with the new cat. It took at least four months or so before the old cat would even begin to tolerate the new one. Lately we have noticed that on occasion there is cat defecation and urination in one of our three children's bedrooms. We are virtually certain it is the doing of the older cat, although we have never caught her in the act. She seems not to ever use her litter box any more, preferring to go outside (it seems to us) almost exclusively. In this warmer weather the older cat spends as much of the day outside as she wants to. We let her out quite a bit. Even in the winter time most of her potty duty is spent outside. We read with great interest the letter and your response to the 3 year old cat urinating in the electric stove. We see many similarities in our situations. Is there anything specific that we can do? Both of our cats are regularly seen by a local veterinarian. Is there a specific medication we should ask for? Prior to getting the new kitty the old cat never ever messed in the house. Do you think this is related to the two cat household we now have?

This does sound like a classic territorial behavioral problem. In addition to separation and additional cat boxes, you may need behavioral modification medications. Specific medications found useful in other similar situations, include Buspirone, Megestrol acetate and Doxepin. None are without side effects, so be sure to follow the guidance of your veterinarian. I personally find Buspirone to be the easiest, safest, and most effective oral medication for helping cats in a multi-cat household relax.

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