My cat has started peeing on plastic bags?

This is improper elimination the first thing that should ALWAYS be checked when a cat eliminates out of the box more than once is for a urinary tract infection.

You need to get her to the vet and have her urine tested. Please don't wait. Call today.

Factors Contributing to Inappropriate Elimination

• Medical Conditions: Cats avoiding the litter pan should be examined by a veterinarian to rule out a medical condition. Laboratory tests will need to be performed in most cases, however, if a condition does exist, immediate treatment will help resolve the behavioral problem. Possible medical conditions include: colitis, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), diabetes mellitus, hyperthyroidism, kidney or liver disease, or feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD). Medical conditions such as arthritis, FLUTD, anal sac disease, and some forms of colitis, which cause pain urinating or defecating may also result in inappropriate elimination

• Stress: Cats of all ages experience stress at some point in their lives (just like us). Stress can be a major cause of inappropriate elimination, and known stressors such as moving, changes in routine, or changes within the family structure (new members added or family members leaving home) can result in inappropriate elimination. Reducing these stressors or decreasing their impact on the household will benefit your cat and you, too.

• Box Location & Contents: Some cats may not like where their box is located; too close to their food or water, in a high traffic area, or on a different level of the house than where they spend most of their time. Some cats are very particular and will not defecate in the same box in which they urinate or go into a box which has been used by another cat. Most cats do not like a dirty litter box. Clean out waste from their litter boxes at least once daily, and wash the litter boxes weekly so that they don't decide to eliminate elsewhere in your home.

She is just marking her territory. Keep all plastic bags off the floor and see if that works. She may just start going on other things though. Let's hope not. She is obviously not thrilled with another cat being around and this is her way of showing the other cat who is the boss. I had a cat who did this and I did not have another cat. But I found out that the people who were there before me had two cats and they peed on the floor a lot. I ended up having to get rid of my cat because he just started peeing on everything after a while. I hope this is not the case for you. There are also some types of deterrent sprays to spray so that your cat will not go to the bathroom anywhere other than the litter box. I think you can find them in pet stores.Good luck!!

Do you line the litterbox with plastic bags? More than likely your cat is not pleased at the current condition of his litter box (may need cleaning) and is urinating on the plastic bags because he believes he can. It is never a good idea to line litter pans with plastic or newspapers, as a cat can not tell the difference between where he is or isn't allowed to go.

My cat went through a similar problem just after our move to a new house. The vet said it could be a behavorial issue. The simple soultion? Do not leave plastic bags where your pet can urinate on them.

An added note: DO NOT let your cat play with plastic bags, as well as being a suffocating hazard, if pieces of the plastic are eaten it can cause intestinal problems in a cat and possibly kill them.

Don't suppose you could get rid of your dad instead..only joking.

My cat is keen on plastic & carrier bags too but she just sleeps in or on them. All the same I make sure we leave none around. That would be a start. She will probably wee somewhere else but you may find a sprinkling of stuff called Cat Pepper helps, depending, of course, on where she has done it. Or, you could put a little pile of bags inside a litter tray and hope she does it there where, at least, it is a bit more hygenic.

She is probably more upset than you realise about the other cat and is trying to mark her territory.

It would be sad to get rid of her when this is HER home that has been invaded.

Give her loads of love.

For some reason they love plastic bags. It may also be due to the fact you have introduced a new cat into her territory. She is marking her domain. In order to get rid of the smell I have found that Petzime is the best product on the market. you spray it on, let it dry and then launder the bag. It is available at Petsmart. If you don't live near one try petsmart.com.

Your cat is urinating in response to the newcomers in the home and is marking her territory in a desperate attempt (in her mind) to hold on to it. Outwardly it may appear that the two cats get along, but all cats have different levels of tolerance and she may be feeling very insecure. Was the new cat introduced to the home gradually or did the new cat have full run of the home immediately? You could try limiting the number of rooms that your dad's cat has access to as that might make your cat feel she is more in control of her territory Cats are creatures of habit and any change in the home can upset them, especially a new pet and this situation should always be handled with care.

Please don't scold your cat or punish her as this will only make her feel even more insecure and worsen the situation.

If things don't improve and your father and his cat are going to be living with you permanently, then you should ask your vet for advice or for a referral to an animal behaviourist who is the best qualified person to help you.

I think it's unfair of your father to suggest that your cat should be the one to leave, she's only behaving this way in response to him and his cat. Sadly if one cat has to leave, then as the newcomer it should be your father's cat.

Your cat is telling you that she is not happy with the situation, bringing in a new cat. Make sure you pick up all plastic bags off the floor!! She is too old to be introducing a "new friend" and this is stressing her out.

My tom cat does this on occasions, I have found that this is when there has been a change in his environment e.g. also took in another cat, moved house, decorated and rearranged room. The only thing I can recommend is plenty of fussing and keep carrier bags in a cupboard or drawer out of the way.

Hiya, your cat is marking her territory as a new cat will have upset her routine. Both cats may get on ok but they have to sort out the pecking order between them. Make a great big fuss of her & it should sort itself out shortly. I know it's difficult as it does stink, but hang in there and lastly with the greatest of respect to your father, I think it's very unrealistic & cruel to expect you to get rid of your cat. After all has your father's cat never had an accident in it's entire lifespan? Also check out the petshops, a lemon scented spray, placed in the cat's fav place to wee should stop it, they hate lemon, good luck

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