Can cats ever scent-mark lying down?

Hello there,

Can anyone tell me if it's possible for cats to scent-mark sitting and/or lying down? My cat is a male neutered 10-year-old Birman.

The thing is, for a long time, during times of stress, my cat leaves small patches of urine on my bed, which I always thought was scent-marking – he only does it when he's stressed (and I know for definite that he is stressed and what's causing it), and 99% of the time, he only does it to my bed, like he specifically wants to mark it as belonging to him. He almost never does it to his beds.

But I read today that cats get into a specific standing position to scent-mark. Can they never scent-mark lying down? Something has stressed my cat out, and he's just started leaving the patches of urine again. However, it's always on flat surfaces, like my bed. Is there any chance he's scent-marking, or has he got some kind of stress-related incontinence?

I'd be really grateful if someone could help me with this question – I don't think I'll be able to get him to the vets for the next few days because I can't drive at the moment, and I'm really freaking out because of all the serious stuff that can cause feline incontinence.

Thanks so much!

Why do you think he is doing this while lying down or sitting?  Have you seen him do the peeing?

If you are seeing puddles when he gets up from sleeping, that's incontinence and abnormal.  It sounds to me as though he may be getting utis when stressed and peeing on your bed to let you know that something is wrong.  Have you noticed any other changes in his litter box behavior?  I do think a vet is the first step here.

I've never managed to catch him in the act, as he only does it when we're in bed together, so I'm asleep when it happens -- but I'm sure he can't be standing up, because of the angle that it's at: it's flat on the mattress, and never against a wall or even the pillow. He couldn't get it flat on the bed like that if he was standing.

The odd thing is, his peeing outside of this (when he's using his litter tray) is absolutely fine -- perfectly ordinary amounts of urine with no straining or anything. Apart from the patches of urine in my bed, his behaviour and his appearance are completely normal.

I'm not sure I understand. If he peed as he normally would it would be flat on the mattress as well. He pees down, and it's a liquid so it is soaked up by the time you see it. You do need to take him to the vet, I think. This is not normal behavior and it does not sound like spraying.

I'm sorry, I see what you mean. I meant, I was sure it couldn't be scent-marking because he's lying down, not standing. Yes, I agree, I think it must be peeing; but because his peeing at every other time is totally normal, I wanted to check if anyone had any experience with scent-marking when a cat was lying down/sitting, which is why I posted this.

Hello,

I do not want to give you a heart attack - but could your cat have FELINE URINARY SYDROME?

I thought a cat I had was "marking", when actually he was losing control of his bladder.

I noticed a pink color in the cat box...  BLOOD IN HIS URINE.  Is there a pink color where it is marking?

We medicated for awhile, then we had to put him down.

Check with your vet. This is most common in males and litter boxes not kept clean enough for cat standards.  Cat's will hold their urine and it forms "Crystals" that hurt to pass.

He was on sodium and potassium.  DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME, it was very specific doses of each. Check with your vet for how to treat.

Cindy

I see. The confusion is that cats can pee for scent-marking without spraying. It's a behavioral issue when this happens as they are doing it due to discomfort and they use their scent to feel safe. Spraying is generally done by unneutered male cats to establish territory and warn off other cats.

Either way, best to rule out a medical condition.

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Cindy – I'm so, so sorry to hear about your cat. As it happened, my sister was able to drive my cat and I over to the vets on Monday, and thankfully the vet didn't think it was serious, but asked for a urine sample (which has now also been delivered). So hopefully it won't be anything too serious. I'm so sorry about your cat, though.

Talkingpeanut, that's really interesting, thank you. When he does it, it does really seem to coincide with periods when he's stressed for any reason, so I do suspect it might be behavioural. Still, I agree with you both that it's best to get it checked out.

It's hard to say because it could be a uti from stress! Glad that you brought him in. A feliway diffuser could help.

Hi,

So glad you got to the vet!  I know it is difficult and money is tight.

I waited and tried to correct what I thought was a behavior problem. Later I saw the slight pink color in the cat box. I was on the road more and thought my cat was "acting out" as all animals can do. Then, the pink in the cat box!  The Vet said if I had brought him in when it all started - we could not have saved him, only prolonged it.

There are many reasons our cats do things, now I let the vet rule out anything medical..

Then, I ask "What has changed in my cat's life?

I am wondering if he is in competition with your boyfriend for attention?

I have a new care provider and Ashes has swatted at her. (I am very ill right now).  I figured out ASHES IS NOT GETTING ENOUGH ATTENTION! It was his only way to make me pay attention.  So now I try to give him more playtime and attention..  He has not swatted at anyone since I play with him like I used to.

 Maybe you can try more playtime or brushing. What ever motivates and satisfies your cat's need for attention and exercise.

.I  know I talk about cats I have or had.  It is to let you know HOW I know what works in situations I have had. You can try them - or not. I want to help people work with their  cats, so a cat does not get put to sleep because of an owners "bad behavior."   ( Like my cat being ignored, was my bad behavior, according to my cat).

I wish you all well and Happy Holidays,

Cindy.

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Cindy, I'm really sorry to hear about your illness, and I send my prayers for your recovery. Thank you very much for sharing your experiences with me – it's very likely that in Melchior's case, attention is an issue, now that you mention it. I don't have a boyfriend, BUT since the beginning of November, I've been very busy because my dog had an operation and she needed a lot of after-care. My Melchior is very good friends with my dog (and all this actually started acutely when his Feliway ran out), but I'm sure the amount of time and attention I spent on her while she was recovering made him feel a bit neglected.  Thankfully, she's almost fully recovered finally, so my lifestyle is starting to return to normal.

I (finally) got the urine test results back at the end of last week, and apparently it was absolutely fine, except for having some protein in it. The vet asked me how Melchior had been, and he's been entirely his normal self, and he hadn't actually leaked once since I took him to the vet, so he was very confident that the protein was an anomaly. Ironically, the very next day, Melchior did actually leak some urine in my bed again, so I phoned the vet the next day but he still thought it had nothing to do with the protein, which is a relief. However, I'd still like to get to the bottom of what exactly is causing all this (and hopefully it's just that he's getting older!), so Melchior has an appointment to see the vet again on Wednesday.

Thanks to everyone for all the advice, and I hope everyone enjoyed the holidays!

Hi Sweetie,

I am glad to hear the Vet doesn't think it is anything to worry about!

But, (and there always is one!), I tell people that unless your Vet or Human Doc lives with you - USE YOUR BEST JUDGEMENT AND GUT FEELINGS.  YOU KNOW YOUR BODY AND YOUR PET'S BODY AND HABITS BETTER THAN ANYONE!

I am not disagreeing with your vet, only you can do that.  Challenge their answers and ask LOTS of QUESTIONS. (Like what kind of problems could we be looking at IF the Protein in the urine, " IS  the start of something?"  What symptoms should I watch for and when is it serious and  we need to return?  Only YOU know your pet intimately, and if some extra "shedding" is usual for your pet,  or a "possible symptom". I write down questions on a 3X5 card, so I remember to ASK. (Otherwise, it is another vet bill to go back and ask them another time.) 

I am sure at some point in your life, YOU have not felt well and finally your doctor took notice and action - YOU KNEW SOMETHING WAS WRONG - you just had to convince your doctor to take it serious. Don't become a "Helicopter Mom", but keep yourself alert to any changes to you or your animals.

I also don't know if you know how to get the odor of cat urine out of bedding and clothes... and it can be very strong and difficult to remove, even with washing something twice.   I add "White, Distilled Vinegar to my laundry soap in the wash cycle, about half of a PINT BOTTLE or even more depending on how strong an odor is.. It takes out the smell of cigarette smoke and many things.

Maybe your Guy is dreaming "he is in the cat box, when he smells traces of urine...And reflex causes the urine leaks".  Remember - we can't smell it - but animals sure can!  Maybe even not using the bedspread for a while and see if that helps.(If it is extra wooly, fluffy or fuzzy - it could be "rubbing" his penis and stimulating the release of urine.  I would recommend a "Pee Pad",  like for changing babies where he sleeps, if the same place, to save you sooo much laundry.

Animals can pick up on our stress and can "act out",  if they are not getting their usual attention.  Or the home is otherwise disrupted. in some way.

Ashes' is used to me scooping the cat box almost before he is done.  And regular play time, and sleeping with me, etc.  I can tell he is upset or out of sorts when any of the above changes. (Sometimes I fall asleep in my chair - Ashes is STILL "sleeping with me", but in my lap and arms - - -  but not snuggled down in the bed and under the sheets like he is used to doing. It just is not the same for him!

Aren't they amazing creatures we love, and share our lives and homes with??!

Again, I hope something here helps you figure out away to resolve the problems of kitty pee in the bed.  I just try to think of things that will maybe help.

Have you tried picking up his water BEFORE bedtime?  Like little kids - water after a certain time,  can cause bed wetting if other problems have been ruled out - PICK UP THE WATER! Give it back first thing in the morning. Have you tried that?  Sometimes the MOST OBVIOUS, IS OVER LOOKED!

 I am 63 years old...  I have to cut out liquids several hours before bed - or I am up and down all night!   Our older pets can suffer from the same things as "us old people" have to deal with.

Keep in touch and maybe I can think of something else to suggest if the problems continue. I hope it has run it's course, what ever it is or was.

Your vet sounds like he/she is confident it is not much to worry about. And that is good news!

Cheers,

Cindy

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Hi Cindy,
Thanks so much for all your advice. He went to our proper vet on Wednesday (the other was a locum – I'm sure he's perfectly competent, but I do prefer to see our usual vet), and she thought it best to do another two urine samples, one for culturing bacteria to check for infection, and the other to be sent for out-of-house testing. I did have my questions all written down, and I asked her about what the protein might mean – apparently the main thing to worry about would be kidney issues, which my vet said she'd test for if the urine samples didn't show anything. She examined him all over (including feeling his spine and checking him for neurological issues), and he seemed to be a little tender when she was feeling around his bladder, so she suspects an infection. I managed to get the sample this morning, so hopefully we'll get the results back soon. I'm not totally convinced it's an infection, because he doesn't seem to have any of the usual symptoms – but really I just want to try to get everything checked. I'm really hoping that's it's just an age problem, but I'll just have to wait and see what the results say.

I didn't know that about the vinegar, and it's so helpful – thank you!! I use sheets with a waterproof backing when he's in bed with me, which saves on the washing, but obviously I still want to make sure I can get the smell out completely, and it's really good to know vinegar works so well!

Hi,

Thanks for the update. I was wondering about  how both of you were doing.

(Once again, I was in the hospital, and I am behind on my e-mails. I do not have a "Smart Phone", to receive and send emails from the hospital.)

 My next  e-mail,There are some Baby Kittens - that should be here by now, and I have missed the excitement of their birth.

I am glad you are doing some more labs.

Unlike you, I would rather it be an INFECTION or Bladder Stones, rather than  "AGE RELATED" . An infection is very treatable and he will feel much better soon. Most "age related problems", are as the saying goes...  "the beginning of the end", and are harder to treat.

If his bladder seems sore, it could be "stones," if not an infection. Either way - the labs will hopefully show what is - or is not going on.  And,  your vet can easily treat it.

(I lost a 7 year old male cat to  " Feline urinary syndrome". We were ALL miserable by the end. I tried everything I could and it was just too hard on my cat.  All the meds, salt, potassium, special diet foods, and of course the odor of cat urine in my bed  - and on him. (He seemed embarrassed and not the beautiful proud cat he had been. Like a once powerful man, that now wears diapers.).  He could not help losing control of his bladder - He was a very sick cat.  Finally,  I had to make the RIGHT choice for both of us - Was all of this for me - or him?  We had fought the brave fight and had lost. There was nothing more to try. My vet had warned me early on that I would probably lose this fight and lose him.  My vet knew I had pulled a lot of animals out of serious, often fatal conditions and let me try for another miracle This time, I could not pull off another miracle.)

So, you see why I am so worried about your guy? When I explained this very briefly in another email to you, I did not want you to panic.
My Vet also told me to WAIT, until BOTH of the testes "drop", and STAY DOWN, before neutering a male cat or dog.  It is possible for the vet doing the neutering, to nick the urethra.  Because that can cause urinary  problems the rest of their lives. It is MUCH safer to wait - and not go "looking" for them up inside. I had a male that one day they were down, and in a few days - they were back up - like a Yoyo.)

All my Best,

Cindy