Why has she started weein on the carpet ?? help!!

[likkibunni]

My bun shadow has suddenly started weeing (and on one occasion pooing) on the carpet, something she hasnt done since we first had her. She is an indoor bun and has free run when we are at home. We got a cat 2 months ago and they are fine together, they dont usually bother with one another and thats the only thing thats changed recently.

We keep the cats carrier next to her cage to get the cat used to it and i noticed that other week that she had been using it as a toilet.

I cleaned it up and shut it but now when i let her out she goes straight over to that area and just wees on the carpet. She has never shown any signs of being territorial before.

Is there anything I can do to discourage this behaviour?? its hard to stop her accessing this area as we are in an open plan flat.

BTW she is two and a half years old and was neutered about 2 years ago.

If anyone has any advice it would be greatly appreciated as i cant let her out half as much as i used to and i feel awful!!
claire

 

[Azraelm]

Hmmm I wonder if she's trying to mark her territory because of the cat? Do they get on?

Or she could have a urinary infection...

Maybe you could put an extra litter tray there, and slowly move it over to where you'd prefer it to be?

 

[Lauralou]

how old is she?

make sure you clean the wee area with white wine vinegar, gets all trace of the smell out and will hopefully discourage her from going there again.

maybe she needs penning off and "retraining" potty-wise?

 

[likkibunni]

i will try cleaning it with white wine vinegar. she didnt do it last night so i will see how it goes and if i have to i will move the cage over.

thanks !!

 

[ecudc]

if a bun changes its litter training habbits you should get it checked out by the vet. It's probably the cat but it could also be UT infection, EC, bladder stones/kidney stones and a few other things.

 

[Deelove]

I'd say it's territorial. We have a house cat and two house buns and where the cats litter tray is. Right at the other end of the next room. Then buns always do a a fair few poos around it and if he gets the chance Molly will wee next to it. I've got lino down around the litter tray luckily.

Before when we lived at my parents they used to poo in the dogs beds too. I think it's where there is a concentration of smell of the other animal and the rabbits haven't quite accepted the cat as part of their rabbit colony.