Spraying female

[Tanya32]

I have a 3 year old calico female cat. She is very small and has always had toileting problems. I have covered beds in plastic, made sure I don't leave any towels on the ground, etc. This seems to help her "habit" of urinating on bedding, clothes, etc. I switched to clumping litter and clean it on a regular basis. I have three cat boxes, one for each cat. Acouple of months ago I noticed her backing up to furniture and "pretending" to spray, but nothing came out so wasn't too concerned. I'd just chase her off every time I saw her doing it. Yesterday, she backed up to a pillow on the couch and ejected her bladder onto it! I couldn't believe my EYES! I know the vet thinks she is an up tight little kitty and needs to go on meds. If I can't get this newest and most horrible habit under control I may have to do that, but I don't like taking pills I can't imagine the cat will?

[Traci]

Is this the same cat that was having the same issues two years ago?

When was her last vet checkup and complete urinalysis?

[Tanya32]

This is new. The other habit is old, but relatively under control. The vet did give her medication for a UTI when I took her in acouple years ago.

I was away last week and when we came home we brought in a trunk that was different. this is why i think she actually "sprayed", something different and strange in the house. She was only "fake" spraying up to that point?

The vet didn't think her issues were medical, that she required medication because of her anxiety.

[Traci]

Both male and female cats may "normally" have the tendency to back up against something, wiggle the tail, and it appears to be like a "spraying" behavior, but when there is no urine sprayed, it is usually one of two things: one, a feel-good feeling, that the cat is happy about something, or comfortable with his/her current environment or an event )play, attention you've given him/her, is asking for affection, etc).....or two: a potential beginning for a urinary tract infection or other health problem.

The new trunk may have something to do with her urinating on the pillow, but it could also have been seperation anxiety as a result of your "being away", for whatever length of time it was, or a combination of the two. At that time, was someone home, or did you have a caretaker look in on your cats at the time, did any other unusual and stressful events occur during that time?

Is she currently on any medications?

I don't think I'd risk this, get her examined and a urinalysis done to at least rule out UTI, best to play this safe. Remember, once a urinary tract infection occurs, the potential exists for reoccurance. In the meantime, or pending the exam/urinalysis results, keep stresses minimized in her environment at all times....stress is a common precursor to urinary tract infections, as well as inappropriate elimination.

BTW, please reduce the size of your avatar....try half the size...the larger the avatar, the longer it takes to load from the forums, and it stretches the pages making it difficult to read etc.

[Tanya32]

I had someone stay at the house. I've reduced my avatar. Thanks!

[Traci]

How is your kitty, have you had her seen by your vet?