Comments on: One thing I DON’T adore about Duncan

By: Duncan’s increasingly sophisticated palate « knitnut.net

Duncan’s increasingly sophisticated palate « knitnut.net — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 15:23:13 +0000

[...] I liked him immediately but Duncan wasn’t so sure. Remember the first time GC slept over, and Duncan peed on his shorts? Remember the time he peed directly on GC? (And on me too, at the same time – we were [...]

By: Em

Em — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 18:30:48 +0000

Everyone has already said what I’m thinking, but I thought I’d throw in my 2 cents.
From my experience, especially with male cats, it’s a territory thing. Especially since Duncan is used to the bed being exclusively his and yours, I imagine it’s something to do with the GC invading his space. Also, your recent trip might have been an issue with D. When I went to the UK for two weeks, my cat (Czar) peed on my bed within hours of my return. I would still, of course, get him checked out at the vet, but given the circumstances, I’d put my money on psychological “issues”. Good luck!

By: sheila

sheila — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 15:00:05 +0000

Zoom, I agree with the other comments and I’m so glad you made a vet appointment. I’m also glad that you REALLY love Duncan because urine issues can be so nasty. Good luck. I’m sure a solution will be found. And, keep us up to date, ’cause inquiring minds want to know!

By: Julia

Julia — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 13:47:18 +0000

The Dog Whisperer would say it was not just territoriality but dominance. Not human “issues”. But what you do about it – I don’t know. With dogs, you claim your space and make sure they know you are the pack leader. It might be the same with cats. But again, I don’t know HOW you let them know you are the leader. But I would go with this tack first, after you rule out a UTI.

By: XUP

XUP — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 12:16:34 +0000

(Anne – ha ha) I’m going to have to agree with everyone who said this is a terretorial/security thing. Duncan wants his smell on everything. He’s a shelter cat, you just left him in a strange place for 2 weeks, he endured 2 long car rides and now a strange smell in his safe, familiar place. When cats rub up against you, it’s to get their smell on you, when they lick themselves after being petted it’s to get your smell off them. GC must have left some strong scent of his own on your duvet which only a good shot of urine could eliminate. Maybe you could entertain GC in the guest room from now on and keep Duncan out of there OR keep him out of your bedroom permanently, which I don’t think you want to do

By: Kellie

Kellie — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 11:06:44 +0000

My girl cat consistently peed on the clothes of my GC (now husband) when he would stay over, after having me to herself for quite some time. Alas it only stopped when I moved in with him and she was adopted by my best friend (GC had a fourth floor apartment and NZ cats are inside/outside cats). The suggestions of Melinda above me sound bang on.

By: Melinda

Melinda — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 08:24:08 +0000

My male cat did that once. Right in front of my face. I had been gone for 3 or four weeks and upon return, he felt he owned my every min. When I finally pushed him out of the way so I could go to sleep, he peed on the duvet in front of my face. Little snot. I washed the duvet in the washing machine and it’s still alive today. The cat never did it again.

Duncan was probably unhappy with the situation. Since a lot goes over smell, what I would suggest is to take a towel and rub Duncan with it, then rub said GC and/or accompanying dog with the towel to transfer Duncan scent onto them. This will make them smell more familiar to Duncan and should make him less apprehensive with the situation. You can also take a towel and rub it on the dog, or in the case of GC his unwashed t-shirt, and leave them laying around the house for Duncan to become familiar with. This is all a time tried method for introducing new animals to your home. It helps relieve the stress on all sides.

You might also want to slowly cut back a little on the snuggle sessions. That’s a territorial behaviour which means to him that he is marking you as his. Great on the one hand, but bad when they go too far with it. I have a similar problem with all of my male Great Danes. They think I’m theirs and will defend me accordingly. Fortunately this just means that they either place themselves in front of me to seperate me from other people or try and sit on me because then no one can reach me anyway. In Duncan’s case, defence is passive/aggressive urination on your belongings. I try and ignore the behaviour as much as possible and when I can’t, will assert myself over them. Unfortunately, cats can be a bit more difficult about this.

You could also choose not to deal with it, but that would mean you on your own for the rest of Duncan’s life. I would hope that’s not an option for you, just as taking Duncan back to the rescue centre would be a non-option (of this I’m fairly certain).

I meant to comment yesterday, but got busy and forgot. Duncan is a lovely cat, even if he is misbehaving. Just remember, he can’t come up and tug on your sleeve and say “hey, roomie, your behaviour is bothering me” so he has to express it someway else. He still remains as lovely as he ever was.

By: jordi

jordi — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 05:16:30 +0000

Oh damn… do get him checked, Romeo started peeing indiscriminantly when he had a uti right after i moved. He still pees in the bathroom sink, but I have decided that I can wash the sink REALLY easily and if I start trying to get him to stop I might find he just moves somewhere not as easy to clean.. It all started with a uti, in any case.

By: robin

robin — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 04:51:23 +0000

Well zoom, you’re just going to have to choose. If I were you I’d choose Duncan

By: GC

GC — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 03:38:34 +0000

Duncan, I miss you too… but STOP that!