My cat pees right by the door leading outside as soon as I keep her indoors for a while (even just for a few hours).
I’m living in a small rented house with a garden at the moment, but I’m moving into a flat with my partner soon.
We’re a bit worried that she might keep urinating in the new flat, which might not have any outdoor space (like a balcony or terrace).
Is this behaviour just because she has access to the outside and wants to go back out? It’s even weirder because when we try to put her out at night to avoid any accidents, she tries to get back in...
Would the solution be to move to a flat with no outdoor access at all?
Translated from French
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"How is she peeing? Is it a proper wee with a puddle on the floor? Or is she spraying against the door?
Does she have a litter tray in the house?
How long have you lived in this house?
There are a few possibilities:
- the previous tenants had cats (or dogs)
- there’s a tomcat prowling around your door at night and leaving spray marks (to see them, crouch down and look at an angle to check for any streaks — sometimes you’ll see drips on the floor too).
In your next flat, plug in a Feliway diffuser (lasts for a month)."
Hi there, After reading through everything: I think the problem is being caused by an outdoor cat, probably a very territorial unneutered male who is scaring your female. The fact that she always does her business right in front of the front door supports this theory. She’s anxious because of the scent of this intruder (or intruders). Cats are territorial, even females, and she’s stressed at the thought of this intruder getting into her own safe space. This seems like the most likely explanation to me. There are repellents you can spray outside, right by the door.
Evening,
You're right, it hasn't always been clear, as @Greylox mentioned, and we were missing some info.
Are there two cats? I must admit I haven't checked the profile page (but often a cat that's no longer around stays listed).
Marking because of a tomcat outside was one of the first things I brought up... but @Pearl said the cat was leaving a proper puddle, which is a bit strange for marking, isn't it? Unless there’s a gap in my knowledge! 😁
Anyway, even if it's exhausting having to tease the info out bit by bit, it looks like @Pearl is going to get the problem sorted. To be continued.
My cat has always been house-trained and I never had any issues in my old flat https://www.tellgamestop.website/... it all started when I moved into my current flat.
Hi there,
After reading through everything, I think the issue is being caused by a cat outside—most likely an unneutered male who’s very territorial—scaring your female cat. The fact that she’s always messing right in front of the front door really points towards this. She’s anxious because of the scent of the intruder cat (or cats). Cats are territorial, even females, and she’s stressed at the thought of this intruder getting into her safe space.
It seems like the most likely explanation to me. There are repellents you can buy to spray outside the front door to help.
Yes, I do have two female cats and they’re sisters.
I also strongly suspect there’s an unneutered male cat on the other side of the door... because she never behaved like this in my old flat.
I’m really hoping that moving house will have a positive effect on her; I’ll certainly do everything I can to make sure she’s as zen as possible.
Anyway, thanks to everyone for your advice.
Hopefully some of the cat behaviour experts on here will be able to weigh in as well.
If I've understood correctly, you have two cats (according to your profile: Pearl and Lyra) and two litter trays?
I’d start by trying out a third litter tray, placed away from the first two.
Each having their own little spot can really help; cats often respect each other’s space and won’t go on top of or in the same tray as their mate... just to keep the peace! ;-))
@greylox "Even when I've just scrubbed her litter tray and it's spotless, she still pees in front of the door. If I move the tray, she just pees next to it..." Have another look at the thread from the start, you might find some other ideas. Liza
It wasn't made clear that the tray was sitting right in front of the door, Lyzzza... And yes, I did read the whole thread and I didn't find it very clear, which is exactly why I asked.
To my mind, a cat peeing on the door like that suggests there's another cat outside, which is either marking or simply triggering this behaviour in her by its mere presence. A scratching post by the door and a new litter tray placed exactly where she's been peeing are the first avenues I’d explore.
Moving house might have a positive effect on the situation (though some cats don't cope well with losing their outdoor access).
@Lizzza
Yes, she’s still doing it. I didn’t stay at home last night, and when I got back this morning and opened the door, I found another little accident...
Right, I’m going to get a Feliway diffuser and hope it works. I’ll also suggest to my partner that he spends some more time with her.
Anyway, thanks so much for your advice.
Her behaviour is even stranger because when we try to let her out to avoid any accidents overnight, she just tries to get back inside...
Peeing by the door isn't because she wants to go out.
She doesn't want to go out; she wants to be with you, but without your other half... as soon as he’s in the house, she’s frightened.
We really need some of the other behaviour specialists on the forum to help us out, as I’m completely out of ideas.
"Even when I’ve just washed her litter tray and it’s perfectly clean, she still wees in front of the door; if I move the tray, she just wees right next to it..."
Have a look back through the posts from the start, you might get some other ideas.
