Recently, I received a comment from Tiffany regarding her 12-year-old cat’s unusual behavior of not using the litter box. Tiffany shared that her cat began peeing on her and various objects around the house after the introduction of a new cat into their home. This behavior change coincided with the arrival of her daughter’s cat, which suggests a possible link to the new addition.
Tiffany’s cat was initially fine until six months ago when the new cat was adopted. The cat’s behavior escalated from peeing on clothes and towels to the couch, coffee table, shoes, and even on Tiffany herself during a snuggle session. Tiffany felt hurt and concerned, as this is a significant statement for a cat to make by peeing on its owner. Despite being treated for a urinary tract infection (UTI), the behavior persisted, leading to the belief that it might be a behavioral issue requiring medication.
What Tiffany Did Right: Tiffany deserves credit for promptly addressing the issue by taking her cat to the vet to rule out a UTI. She recognized the seriousness of the situation and sought solutions, trying to resolve the issue for six months. Her dedication to finding a solution is commendable, especially considering she adopted the cat only a year ago from a rescue.
My Analysis and Solution: I believe the root of the problem is the cat’s fear of using the litter box with the new cat present. This theory is supported by Tiffany’s observation that the behavior started when the new cat was adopted. Even if cats get along To address this, I suggest implementing solutions such as providing a separate litter box area or using a large cat activity tree to create a sense of security for the older cat.
Amazon Basics Large Cat Activity Tree – Amazon / eBay
Introducing new cats into a home can be a challenging process, especially for an alpha male like Avery, who was used to being the only cat for a long time. When we brought in Bjorn, the second cat, Avery was initially aggressive and would pick fights.
Over time, however, not only did Avery and Bjorn get along, but our third cat, Cleo, also integrated well into the family. Despite this harmony, introducing neighborhood cats has presented unique challenges.
The next cat I’m trying to integrate is being bullied by Avery when he tries to use shared resources like the water bowl or the litter box.
Many cat owners might think their cats are not aggressive and share resources well. However, when it comes to litter boxes, even the most amicable cats can become territorial. For example, the two outdoor cats I recently took in, Aramis and Athos, who are best friends, initially had issues with sharing the litter box.
Aramis, the more dominant female, would attack Athos whenever he used the litter box.
This behavior is not strange when considering their outdoor lifestyle, where cleanliness and hygiene are not maintained daily. Cats prefer a clean litter box without other cats’ waste. This territorial behavior over the litter box was so strong that I had to separate them during the day to ensure each had access to their own litter box.
Athos became nervous about using the litter box without my presence.
By monitoring and intervening when necessary, I was able to gradually reduce Aramis’s territorial behavior. It took a couple of months, but eventually, she stopped caring about the litter box being shared. This experience mirrors the initial issues with Avery and Bjorn, where Avery would chase Bjorn after he used the litter box.
Learning from these experiences, I’ve realized that patience, intervention, and understanding cat behavior are key to successfully integrating new cats into a home.
Fair enough, Avery’s the alpha. But there’s a surprise. Bjorn hit Avery for using the litter, feeling it was his territory. This happened more often than Avery doing it to Bjorn. Now, these two cats are on good terms with no litter or resource competition.
Though the litter box was the last to be shared, including food.
The crux of the matter is that litter box competition is real. In my experience, it goes away with time and human help, like keeping the litter box clean (daily cleaning is fine).
The litter box seems to be the last thing cats feel at ease sharing. Having the right number of litter boxes may not be enough. It’s recommended to have one for each cat plus one extra, scattered around the house. This is a pre-step to peace, but may not be enough as chasing and stalking can happen.
How to diagnose litter box competition? If you have an extra room and at least one litter box per cat, it’s simple. Keep your first cat in a separate room with everything it needs. Wait and see if it returns to peeing in the litter box. If there are accidents, give it more time. If the situation is fixed, it’s litter competition anxiety.
How to resolve litter competition issues? If this is the issue, here’s what to do.
Modko Modkat Sleek Minimalist Top Entry Litter Box – Amazon / eBay
Dealing with cat anxiety and litter box issues can be challenging, but there are effective solutions. Here are two methods to consider:
Method 1: Create a Dedicated Space for Your Anxious Cat
One surefire solution involves creating a separate room for your anxious cat. This method requires some investment and may involve modifying your home by installing a microchip cat door like the SureFlap Microchip Cat Flap. This technology allows access to cats based on their microchip or RFID collar tags.
By giving your anxious kitty her own room and litter box, she can use the restroom in peace without fear of the new cat. This setup can also alleviate other anxieties related to sharing resources, such as drinking water.
Method 2: Scheduled Litter Box Access and Pee Breaks
The second solution is less invasive and involves setting specific times for your old cat to have access to her room without the new cat present. For about an hour in the morning and an hour in the evening, close the door to the room, allowing your old cat some time.
This method can help if your cat is too anxious to use the litter box or eat in front of the new cat. If accidents still occur, consider increasing the time. Gradually decrease this time and increase the time your cat spends outside the room to help her get used to sharing space with the new cat.
In addition to these methods, it’s crucial to monitor the litter boxes for any signs of aggression, ensure they are cleaned daily, and have three litter boxes placed in quiet, low-traffic areas of your home to promote a stress-free environment for your cats.
Your Thoughts on Cats Peeing Everywhere After a New Cat Arrives?
Do you have any tips, tricks, or advice for Tiffany?
Is there anything in my article that you think she should concentrate most on?
Anything you could add to what I’ve said?
Has this situation ever happened to you?
Do you have any personal experiences with cats and litter box competition in general to share?
Do you have experience with cats peeing in odd places, or pretty much everywhere outside the litter box?
Was your issue ever resolved, and if so, how did it get fixed?
Please take a moment to leave your thoughts in the comments down below!
