I just went to the vet to rule out any medical issues and she is healthy!! So… she’s peeing outside her litter box consistently (1-3x per week) mostly on shoes and the couch. What are some things I can do to help?
I have two cats; this one is 3 y/o and my younger cat is 2 y/o. They have always “fought” frequently, where my younger cat will come up to her, sit on her, put her in a chokehold, etc. and she’ll hiss at her and leave to a safe spot. I never thought this would be stressful as she leaves on her own and doesn’t care.
I moved in October to a smaller house so they don’t have as much space between them, but we have plenty of cat trees, toys, puzzle feeds, and a catio. For the most part, both cats sleep all day and night when we’re home/at work and don’t cry or wait at the door for us (trying to rule out separation anxiety).
The peeing outside the litter box started earlier this year when I switched out their litter robot for a traditional box, and I assume she got mad and peed on our shoes. Immediately noticed and switched back and she was fine for a few months. Now, she’s peeing on our shoes again and occasionally the couch on spots I sit. We have moved shoes so they are no longer out and since then she peed on the couch once more and in a towel on the couch once (both within 30 minutes of each other). I have also added another traditional litter box to see if maybe the other cat is “guarding” the robot.
The vet prescribed her gabapentin for stress but I want a long term solution. I also ordered more Feliway wall plugs as I’ve had these in the past when she wasn’t doing this.
Could the other cat be stressing her out even after living with her for 2 years and not peeing outside her litter box? Or is there something else I could do to help her? I’ve seen suggestions if the cats are causing stress to each other to re-reintroduce them, but not sure if that’s actually valid.