Hi everyone,

I have had Clara the Bengal for 1 week now, which makes her 11 weeks old today. She came desexed and I have been feeding her the same food the breeder was feeding her so there shouldn't be any changes.

I have read other forums with the same question, but I am not sure if the motives are different here. For the first 5 days, Clara was using the litter tray without fail, and sleeping with me without dramas (except for waking up thinking it is time to play!). However the last two nights have been another story.

Two nights ago, my boyfriend came over and stayed and she wee'd on the bed twice. The second time I rubbed her nose in it and showed her the litter box. Then in the morning, I went to have a shower and she wee'd on the bed again! At first I thought she was jealous of my boyfriend for getting more attention - then it happened again this morning at 5am and now I don't have any clean/dry covers left to use. I have put a litter tray in my wardrobe and keep it very clean - and like I said before, she frequently uses it!

One thing that might be part of the problem is that I often take water to bed with me and sometimes she will drink it - so from here-on-in it will be a waterbottle.

Anyway, my question is what is causing it - is it wanting attention? She is quite vocal and I have begun to ingnore it, so is this the same thing? And just as importantly, how do I stop this?


Thanks for any help
Cherie

Firstly don't rub her nose in it - it doesn't do anything other than make your kitten wary of you - secondly you need towash your covers, sheets, quilt and mattress with something designed to get cat pee smell out - she will be able to smell where it is long after you can't. You can buy 'simple solution' from pets@home, alternatively use non-biological washing powder and then sprinkle on bi-carbonate of soda after. Once she has been somewhere once (even as an accident) the smell will encourage her to go there again unless you get rid of all traces of the smell.

She may have a urine infection and not be able to control herself enough to get to the litter tray - take her to the vets to check this out. SHe is still really small and maybe the space you have her in at night is too large and she can't remember where the tray is. The appeasrance of your boyfriend may have stressed her a little and that in young kittens can lead to regression of toileting habits.

Personally I would put her in the kitchen or another small space at night with food, plenty of water (don't restrict her intake - it won't stop her peeing, will concentrate her utrine making it much more smelly and could cause kidney problems in later life), toys, litter tray and bed - then sh won't hve access to your bed to pee on, nor will your possible night time activities with your boyfriend a) stress her or b) make her want to play with tender areas as they come in reach! Nothing like stopping the romantic passion as a cat sinks it's claws in a bare area of derreirre thinking it is a game for its benefit!

Keep trying - she will get there - it isn't personal.

As for being vocal, some cats just are that way - they like to talk to you lots. Remeber she is still very small and will be missing her mumand brothers and sisters - she's probably a bit lonely. Cuddle her lots and reassure her.

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echo everything said above.
It is very very common for young kittens to pee on bed sheets. The simplest answer is not to let her on the bed until she is a bit older and keep plenty of litter trays about the house so she can always find one.
As she gets older, you can reduce the amount of trays. But remember the house will be alot bigger to her than it is to you.

Have to re-iterate, do not rub the kittens nose in it, I believe this is a training method used for dogs, it deffinatly does not help with training a kitten. If she is struggaling to use her tray, pop her in it after eating and watch out for her assuming the 'squat' position.

Thanks for the reply..
Well i hve put a bit of vinegar at the end of the matress, so hopethat deters her, though not holding my breath!!
In the past my cat has always slept on my bed so i would like for clara to do the same.. As for keepin her somewhere else, we live in a town house and it is a very open living style, so room or bath room is probably smallest area any way......
she is using the litter tray as i type this -so she knows where it is!!!
Not too worried bout the meowing as figured it would be that - but when ever I gve her attention she stops -so figured that this could be the same..
Any way, goodnight - lets see what happens tonight!!

Well she did it again - this time I didn't rub her nose in it. You are completely right that it did nothing but make her weary.

She woke me up at 5am again - I tried to give her a pat and encourage her to go back to sleep but no-go. Water is now only near tray, so close by if she has an accident... During the day she uses the litter, so I just don't understand why she does it if not for attention - - - She wee'd on my bed after 5am when I wouldn't play with her.

I guess like kids it's just a waiting game - but a fustrating one!

Does anyone know if there is a product like urine off in OZ?