My cat is peeing by the front door

Pearletlyra Icon representing the flag French

01/02/2020, 11:52

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Hello,

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?

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Lyzzza

12/03/2020, 12:57

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Right, I think we’ve got the full picture now; she’s clearly been traumatised and is living in a state of stress and anxiety whenever you aren’t with her.

She trusts you, but that bad experience with a man has made her wary of all men...

Feliway should help, but you might want to opt for a plug-in diffuser (which covers up to 70 sq m) to help settle her.

Is she messing on the floor even when there’s no one in the house, neither you nor your partner?

She’s only 3, so still young. Could your partner spend a bit of time playing with her while you’re at home? He should always use a toy and avoid trying to touch her for now. She needs to build up her trust in him again, and play is a great outlet for stress.

Liza

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Greylox

12/03/2020, 12:53

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Hi there, There’s something I’m a bit confused about – have you already moved into a flat, or are you still in a house with a garden? I think the most logical solution would be to put a litter tray next to your front door.

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Pearletlyra Icon representing the flag French

12/03/2020, 12:01

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When I first got her, she did it a bit but nothing major, but lately it’s been happening all the time. She pees when I’m out during the day, and at night mostly when my boyfriend is around. Even when I’ve just washed her litter tray and it’s sparkling clean, she’ll go and pee in front of the door. If I move the tray, she just pees right next to it... I’m going to try Feliway, it seems like the best option. Unfortunately, she was mistreated by my ex (it was very, very violent) and ever since she’s been terrified of strangers and men... so I was thinking that maybe she’s showing her fear by peeing when he’s here. The problem is that we’re moving in together, so she really needs to get used to him.

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Lyzzza

12/03/2020, 10:52

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I don’t think it has anything to do with her being allowed outside.

You’ve been in that house for two years – she hasn’t been peeing in front of the door for the whole two years, has she?

She pees in front of the door when you’re out (and only then?).

Since you have two litter trays, put a (clean) one right where she pees when you go out, just to see what she does. If you can use another exit, that would be better, but otherwise you’ll just have to manage and get the tray as close as possible.

Something else you could try: spray some Feliway on the door and the floor, but make sure to give it a good clean first.

If she hasn’t always behaved like this, try to think about what might have triggered it.

She’s definitely trying to tell you something, but what?

Liza

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Pearletlyra Icon representing the flag French

12/03/2020, 10:27

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Hi Liza, She’s leaving puddles of wee. I have two litter trays in the house which I clean very regularly. I’ve lived in this house for about 2 years now. If the cat outside is the cause, what can I do? There are quite a few cats that wander around the garden and they’re "feral" cats, so how can I handle that? She’s 3 years old and yes, she’s been spayed.

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Lyzzza

12/03/2020, 10:08

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Hi Pearl

What's the peeing like? Is it a proper wee leaving 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 outside who comes prowling around your door at night and leaves a scent mark (to see it, crouch down and look from an angle to check for any traces left behind – sometimes there are also drops on the ground).

In your next flat, try plugging in a Feliway diffuser (these last for about a month).

How old is your cat and has she been spayed?

Hope to hear from you soon,

Liza

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Pearletlyra Icon representing the flag French

12/03/2020, 06:55

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My cat has always been house-trained and I never had any issues in my old flat... it all started when I moved into my current place.

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