Anxiety or UTI??

Hiyah, 

I have a cat who's around 8 months old who seems to have developed anxiety issues after we stayed at my mom 's over Christmas (this was just for a month and the journey was by car). Since we've been back my cat has peed on my flatmate's bed twice, the first time we thought it was an accident and the second we summed up to him having a falling out with my flatmate and showing her his displeasure. However recently after the second time he has stopped using the litter tray that he shares with our other cat ( its supposed to be suitable for two cats) so I bought him his own which he uses but apprehensively. What's worrying me is that today we bought them some flea collars and as soon as I put it on he started displaying fearful behaviour such as backing up and shying away, he then went straight into my flatmates room and tried to pee on her bed, luckily we caught him. I then shook his litter tray which he used and rewarded him with a treat after, however he was still extremely apprehensive. 

Could this be a one off? or does he have anxiety? He runs under my bed every time the door opens but comes out straight after and seems to be fine. I've booked a vet appointment for next Monday, but any advice on how to calm him until then is welcome. 

Thank you!!! ^_^

It definitely sounds like something more than a UTI is going on, although taking your kitty to the vet is still the first step.  You want to definitely rule out a UTI .  Since many UTIs are caused by stress,  your kitty might be suffering from a UTI as well as anxiety.  Is there any way you can get the vet appointment moved up?  If he does have a UTI, it's very painful and he needs relief as soon as possible.

There are several products that are on the market aimed at lowering kitty anxiety.  Feliway is the one most commonly used - the formula is based on pheromones that cats emit when they are feeling content and happy.  http://www.feliway.com/us/FELIWAY/FELIWAY-Spray The spray form might be the best for you as spraying the room can have a quick relaxing effect on cats.  Feliway is not 100% effective, however.  Some cats show no response whatsoever and others become agitated, although this last is not that common.  When it works, it's great stuff and it's definitely worth trying.

Another product that people have had success with is Rescue Remedy, available from Bach's Floral Essences.  http://www.bachflower.com/rescue-remedy-pets-bach-flower/    Rescue Remedy is homeopathic based and since there is no scientific basis for its mode of action, some people are skeptical that it actually works.  However, we have seen quite a few success stories here, so I did want to pass that along.

Composure is an herbal product available as treats that help reduce anxiety in stressed cats.http://www.vetriscience.com/index.php?l=product_detail&p=9008103030  As with Feliway and Rescue Remedy, many members have found these treats to be extremely effective, so again worth trying.

I do want to warn you that there are a lot of negative side effects associated with flea collars.  Just search the site for "Flea Collars" and the first page that comes up is filled with first-hand accounts of the dangers of flea collars.  Your vet can help you with alternative treatments.

I hope you can figure out what's triggering your cat's anxiety.  Having said that, you may never know:   it's quite likely that he will calm down as he becomes accustomed to his old home again.

Cats really don't pee inappropriately to show displeasure. Though obviously it is frustrating, try not to be angry at him when he pees inappropriately, as he is likely doing so out of sickness or anxiety about his territory. You said you "only" stayed at your Mom's for a month, but for a cat--especially an 8-month-old cat--a month is a really long time and definitely could have been stressful. Remember they are territorial animals by nature, and uprooting them from their territory then putting them back can be really stressful.

Feliway might help iron out some anxiety.

Definitely get him checked for a UTI though.

Also! At 8 months old he has quite possibly hit puberty, and that's associated with all kinds of behavior woes, which often involve peeing. Talk to your vet about getting him neutered if you haven't already, which as you probably know is the responsible thing to do anyway.

Have there been any changes in the household? Even something seemingly small, like a new smell or rearranged furniture? Is the bed near a window where an big scary cat might be walking by outside?

Definitely what MargD said. Take him to a vet and have a urinalysis done. What flea collar are you using? There are really only 1 collar that is safe for cats, which is the Seresto collar. Anything else, like Hartz for instance, can be very dangerous for cats.