recently resuced cat peeing on clothing

[redqueen13]

Hello,

 I just adopted a cat last week at my local shelter. She is very sweet but has been hiding under the bed since we brought her home. She also developed a respiratory infection a few day's after coming to her new home. I took her to the vet and got meds for her. She does seem to be improving, she is eating and coming out to visit with us. She is using her litter box but I have noticed she has also peed on clothing items on the floor. I'm unsure of if she is just stressed because I know she has been through a lot or if this is the beginning of an UTI for her. I don't ever see her peeing on these items and she is using the litter box. I don't know what to do. I already spent a ton of money on her vet visit for her cold. Any advice would be helpful. I want the cat to love her new home.   

 

[Columbine]

Peeing on your clothing/bed etc is generally a sign of territorial insecurity. You've only just adopted her so she's probably feeling a bit overwhelmed. By peeing on your clothing (I'm assuming that it was stuff that was waiting to be washed) she's trying to mix her scent with yours in the strongest way possible. It's a very anxious statement of "I belong here with you, don't I? "

Get some Feliway diffusers and have them at strategic points around the house. Designate a quiet room as hers and set it up with bed, litter box, scratching post, water, toys and maybe an item of your worn clothing to cuddle up to. Settle her in there, spend lots of time with her, and as she relaxes you can gradually introduce her to the rest of the house. Daily interactive play will build her confidence and strengthen the bond between you both.

A uti is pretty uncommon for a girl...the majority of cases are in boys. I wouldn't worry about that overmuch, especially if the pee volume in the litter box seems normal.

She will relax and settle over time. The upper respiratory infection is also fairly common when a cat comes into a new home. It's another stress thing.

I hope your little girl is feeling better soon.

These articles might be helpful
http://www.thecatsite.com/a/six-surefire-strategies-to-reduce-stress-in-cats
http://www.thecatsite.com/a/how-to-remove-cat-urine
http://www.thecatsite.com/a/playing-with-your-cat-ten-things-every-cat-owner-needs-to-know
http://www.thecatsite.com/a/cat-play-the-rules-of-the-game