Stress or Something Worse? :/

Hey everyone! Some help would be amazing!

I have recently adopted a shelter cat about three months ago, and we just moved from our house to college about a week ago.  Sadly this past week I have had a lot of training at school, and had to leave her alone a lot and she has been very whiney (which is definitely not normal for her) and now she has began going to the bathroom outside of the liter box.  It has only happened twice so far, once because she accidentally got locked in my roommates room, and another time she just walked into another roommates room and just simply peed on her bed.  I don't know if it is a stress/anxiety thing or something worse.  She also has a very strong odor to her poop and when she just peed on my roommates bed and I noticed her pee was quite yellow.  She always has water so I know she is not dehydrated, but I do not know the normal color of cat pee.  My kitty is my baby (she is at school with me because she is a support animal) and our normal vet is not in the area and the vet here is not open on Sunday's.  So I am hoping that a little information from you folks might be helpful!

dellis2 said:

 
Hey everyone! Some help would be amazing!

I have recently adopted a shelter cat about three months ago, and we just moved from our house to college about a week ago.  Sadly this past week I have had a lot of training at school, and had to leave her alone a lot and she has been very whiney (which is definitely not normal for her) and now she has began going to the bathroom outside of the liter box.  It has only happened twice so far, once because she accidentally got locked in my roommates room, and another time she just walked into another roommates room and just simply peed on her bed.  I don't know if it is a stress/anxiety thing or something worse.  She also has a very strong odor to her poop and when she just peed on my roommates bed and I noticed her pee was quite yellow.  She always has water so I know she is not dehydrated, but I do not know the normal color of cat pee.  My kitty is my baby (she is at school with me because she is a support animal) and our normal vet is not in the area and the vet here is not open on Sunday's.  So I am hoping that a little information from you folks might be helpful!

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Bumping this for assisatnce.

Well, it's hard to know if it's stress or what.  Probably is RELATED to stress, for certain. 

When a cat urinates outside the box for reasons other than there is no box available (locked out of the room), it is USUALLY indicative of a Urinary Tract Infection.  Is she showing any signs of having a difficult time going?  These are signs too.....going into the box but leaving either nothing at all, or very small spots of urine. You might see her crouching down all over the place and again, producing just dribbles, or nothing.  If so, those are clear signs of a UTI.  I would, in that case, confine her to a small room that is easily cleaned up, and get her to a Vet ASAP for intervention.  Actually, make sure she is able to pass at least a tiny bit of urine, or get her to an ER Vet.  It is rare, but occasionally a female can block, which is life threatening.  BTW, stress often brings on UTIs 

If she isn't showing any other signs of a UTI other than the one time urinating on your roommate's bed, then it could be a behavioral thing, but I would still have her checked out by a Vet just to rule out any health issues.  Then you could try some stress reducing techniques to help her adjust.  Feliway Diffusers are supposed to be especially good for inappropriate urination.  There are calming sprays you can use (buy them at Petco, Pepsmart, etc.)  Rescue Remedy for Pets, although this has to be given at least on a daily basis, probably twice a day., lots of playtime, places for her to feel safe, like her own "cat cave" away from the hussle and bussle of an active dorm room, if possible, a cat tree or someplace she can get high up and (hopefully) look out a window.  Even Harp music  will help.  There are specific CD's that are made to relax stressed out cats   Maybe this article will help:   http://www.thecatsite.com/a/six-surefire-strategies-to-reduce-stress-in-cats

Oh yes, your roommate needs to clean her bed with an enzymatic cleaner.  Nothing else will work.  You humans may not smell anything if she (or you) tosses al the bedsheets, in the washer with hot, soapy water, but believe me, your cat will still smell urine and be drawn right back there .  You might even need to pour some onto the mattress and let it soak in if it went all the way thru.