cat query

[tigriswolf]

What does it mean when a cat keeps peeing on a dog's bed, even when the litterbox isn't all that full?  And is there anyway to figure out which cat is doing it?  I've seen them both on the bed.

Comments

[cattraine.livejournal.com]

They are marking THEIR territory. Its all MINE, MINE, MINE!

[tigriswolf]

... is there any way to make it stop? We're on our second dogbed because of the cat pee, and tigremere is losing her patience.

[trishabooms.livejournal.com]

We stopped it by transferring the scent of the cats to the dog. Try using a clean blanket or towel that you haven't used for either pet before and put it somewhere where the cats like to sleep and let them sleep on it for a while, then transfer it to the dog basket.

We also towelled the dogs and cats down with one towel for a while.

You just need the cats to adjust to accepting the dog's scent as part of their own.

[tigriswolf]

We've had the dog for over a year; wouldn't that have already happened?

[trishabooms.livejournal.com]

It depends, it could have something to do with the ages of your dog and cats and the sexes, also whether they've been spayed or neutered.

The dog could be throwing out more scent as it matures and the cats could be trying to cover that or the cats could be maturing to the point where they're becoming very territorial.

I'd also agree with the person who posted below, get yourself a spray that will put off the cats, if citrus doesn't work your local vet or pet shop might be able to make some suggestions.

[tigriswolf]

They have been spayed and neutered, but Gus (the one we think is doing it) has been maturing; he's maybe a year and a half old now.

[cattraine.livejournal.com]

Do you have multiple fluffy cat beds? That usually works, especially if they decide they are better. Also, Orange citrus spray should discourage them from the dog's bed.

[tigriswolf]

We actually do have cat beds, but neither is in optimal sleeping position at the moment; I'll fix that.

[cantankerouself.livejournal.com]

Just so you know, sometimes that can also be symptomatic of a urinary tract infection, particularly if it's a sudden thing or they're older cats. They start associating the letterbox with pain when they go, so they look for a more comfortable place. Its more likely a territorial thing, but if none of the fixes mentioned above work, a visit to the vet mightn't go amiss. Good luck :)

[tigriswolf]

I've been wondering about that; the peeing-on-Sunny's-bed thing is within the last few weeks new.

[tigriswolf]

When we boarded the cats last week, I had the vet check their urine: Gus had an infection, so.

[cantankerouself.livejournal.com]

Awwwww, the poor baby :( I'm glad you got your mystery solved though! Hope he's doing okay now.

[tigriswolf]

He's doing better.

While the vet techs were giving him his medication, he savaged one. But everything else seems fine.