Cats and submissive/fearful urination?

[moriah]

My cat doesn't like his carrier, doesn't like cars, etc. At all. And of course who likes vets? And I wouldn't say he was easygoing.... he's a bit twitchy. Not overly so, but still cautious.

Well, after I'd gotten him out from under the bed to get jn the carrier... he peed on me. Got him in the carrier and changed clothing -- vet wouldn't have cared likely, but I did.

Is this relatively common in fearful cats? I know it's common in dogs to get so scared they pee or poo, especially if they've been abused... but our feline friends?

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

1. I've heard of it. Mine just howl.

But if you dragged me out from under a bed and tried to stuff me in a cage, I'd pee, too.

[moriah]

3. You have a very good point, especially since I'd *just* washed that outfit.

May not have been submissive at all, but "piss on you, you heathen! If I was meant to be in a car, I'd have opposable thumbs and could drive! Hoomans...."

[TexasTowelie]

2. My Siamese cat used to pee if he saw that he was going to get a bath.

He was smart and whenever he heard running water in the bathroom he would head towards one of his various hiding spots. I would grab him and that's when the water works started.

[moriah]

6. The handsome one in your sig?

Yeah, I think car rides are about equivalent to baths for stress for him. Just the first time he got me good.

[CountAllVotes]

4. One of mine will BITE you if you try to put him in a cage

I hope to god he never gets sick!

What a nightmare! I have his brother who is a bit easier to deal with (doesn't bite).

My other cat is a sweetie pie and is just plain happy someone rescued her -- a true survivor!

Wish I had some advice but know this problem is likely not unique (unless the cat has a UTI (???))

[moriah]

5. Nope, was just annual for shots, has always used his box, no mistakes.

I think it was just the stress of the carrier and knowing it meant impending car ride. He really hates them, cries the whole time.

I put out gooshyfood when I got home for him, but he's not touched it yet. Still recovering.

[spooky3]

7. I had a senior cat who urinated on the bed right next to me

when he realized that I had adopted another senior cat. I did it because my cat's mother had passed away and I thought it would be hard for him to adapt to being alone. He did adapt to the newcomer, but it took awhile. So I think it's just an expression of stress and unhappiness.

I know this is not an ideal solution, but vets do have a mild sedative that they can give you to give to your cat about 3 hours before his appointment. Maybe he would do better with that, and it would be less stressful for both of you to get him into the carrier, etc.

[CountAllVotes]

9. yeah its called gabapentin

They charged me $27 for two tiny pills. TWO. Rip-offs = vets.

[spooky3]

10. that is a rip off--one of my cats is given it for pain (the other for anxiety)

and we bought 14 pills for $32.70 this week. And I'm in an expensive metro. So your vet is really being unfair.

[CountAllVotes]

15. We haven't gone back believe me

Besides worming my cat for no reason and charging me for that, they told me that I should find homes for my cats being my health is not good.

Had I not adopted these cats from the kill shelter I fear their fate may not have been a clean home and food and shelter and care!

I will attempt to go elsewhere but now they are trying to say you have to be seen twice a year per cat and also have been seen at the vet within the last 18 mos. We have not been back in over 18 mos. so I guess we were dumped as customers since 1991.

How greedy is this exactly? Crippers!!

[raging moderate]

12. Go to Lowe's and buy electricians' gloves.

Electricians' gloves are thick, rough, grey or brown leather with cuffs covering your forearms. Have the cage set up ahead of time, snugly set against a corner wall with a folded towel inside. Scatter fur bits from his brush and a few crunchy treats inside. Cover the opened cage with a large towel, so it is not so obvious, and leave it near him overnight.

Put on a hooded jacket and sturdy shoes. Get the cat into the room with you, and shut the door securely. Set his feeding bowl, with a favorite meal, right in front of the cage. Put on your gloves while he is eating. Approach the cat from behind and grasp his whole body between your forearms, holding his paws tight and his body rigid. Quickly thrust the cat into the cage and slam the cage door (if possible, have someone else slam the door for you).

My vet, who loves cats and has a great sense of humor, calls these gloves "the gloves of authority."

[CountAllVotes]

14. thanks for the tips

I do appreciate them very much!

Will bookmark this for later reference as the one that is the biter is 5 years old and never been to a very. He is an indoor cat. It is his nature, always has been.

He ran away for a couple of days and wow, the face on his brother was so sad. He came back after I left food outside by the door and he was ok but his big brother slapped him around good.

I know at some point in time he will have to go in for some reason. Will print this out later.

Thanks again!!

[raging moderate]

16. Also, crooning like a mother cat soothes most cats.

Catese is a tonal language. To soothe their kittens, mother cats mostly make a sort of gurgly crooning sound, going up the scale and then down the scale, then up, then up, then up, then down, then down, then down. Sort of. Sometimes this is very comforting to scared cats.

[2naSalit]

8. Just about any animal,

mammals in particular, in a captive/stressful situation will urinate either out of fear or as a defense mechanism. their instinct is flight or fight and this cat just seems to rely on that particular tool.

[jpak]

11. Yes - it is common

I had very very sweet kitty that peed in his carrier 10 feet out of the driveway.

I would line the carrier with newspaper, let him pee, and change it out.

He was the best kitty - but he hated driving...

[Claritie Pixie]

13. It happens. Mine waits until we get home then revenge pees on my bed.

While I’m sleeping. Yes, I still love him.

[TomSlick]

17. We have a big tomcat that anytime he is pissed - well.....

He has yet to be taken to the vet that he doesn't really stink up his carrier.

[moriah]

18. Yeah, he's peed in the carrier before even on short trips.

But this was the first time he got me in the process.

He finally came out from under the bed for pettings this evening, replaced his gooshyfood with fresh, and he ate some. So hopefully I made up for the horrible unexplained imprisonment, vertigo, and needles.

[Fla Dem]

19. Mine only did it once. She's 13.

And I didn't blame her because I knew she hadn't peed in a while, (at least 12 hours). So the stress of catching her, getting her into the carrier, the drive to the vet, and then at the vet, which is where she finally let go, was not entirely surprising. At least the vet got a urine sample, LOL.