she's takin' a piss!

February 19, 2009 4:42 AM

Would a cat pee on our stuff because the music is too loud?

In previous 'accidents', it was always that her litterbox was dirty, or some other obvious thing she was unhappy with. But now, I'm stumped. Except that I was playing music pretty loud when it happened. Maybe she doesn't like the Deadstring Brothers. Does this sound right? Also, she's at least 15 years old, so it could just be an eternal enigma.

posted by goethean to pets & animals (17 comments total)

Yes.
Cat's are sensitive to sound, emotions and general energy output. They have sensitive ears and psyches. It is very distressing for a cat to be in the midst of an aural bombardment with no where to hide and no way of finding silence or calm.
posted by watercarrier at 5:24 AM on February 19

I suppose it could be, though I've never heard of a cat that did it for that reason regularly. With a cat of that age, I would be more concerned about some kind of urinary disease. Pay attention to her litterbox habits for the next few days. If she is going in and out of the box frequently, if she cries while urinating, if she tries to urinate but can't, or if she has any other accidents, she should see a vet.
posted by Rock Steady at 5:35 AM on February 19

I think the answer to your question is that the cat is 15 years old, not that she didn't like your music. Rock Steady is right -- pay attention to how frequently she's attempting to pee (and how successful her attempts are).
posted by kate blank at 6:24 AM on February 19

This sounds exactly like something my cat would have done, especially in her later years. There's a reason they call it "pissed off."
posted by selfmedicating at 6:25 AM on February 19

Our cats pee in the house or break our stuff when we do something to piss them off, no joke.

So yeah, it's probably the music.
posted by InsanePenguin at 6:25 AM on February 19

They have sensitive ears and psyches
I got to "psyches" and knew it was watercarrier. I doubt the music's hurting the cat's psyche, it's much more likely the fact that your cat is fifteen years old, which is ancient in cat years.
posted by dunkadunc at 6:53 AM on February 19 [2 favorites]

Yes. My cat *hated* loud music. Never got to the point of peeing because of it, but probably only because she trained me well not to play it too loud.
posted by neblina_matinal at 7:01 AM on February 19

With a cat of that age, I would be more concerned about some kind of urinary disease.

I've heard this many times, so I don't doubt it, but what is the connection between urinary disease and not going in the litterbox?
posted by goethean at 7:36 AM on February 19

what is the connection between urinary disease and not going in the litterbox?

With a UTI, peeing in the litterbox is painful, so the cat quickly learns to avoid the litterbox. Of course, with a UTI, peeing everywhere is painful, so the cat will try many locations.
posted by kindall at 7:50 AM on February 19

Yes, my cat used to pee on stuff whenever she was mad at me. Like if I came home really late at night and she had been home by herself all day. Etc.
posted by gt2 at 7:52 AM on February 19

Look at it this way. If something or someone is upsetting a cat and no one is paying attention to the fact she's upset, she will act out using things it can control: peeing or pooping in inconvenient locations, scratching the living hell out of furniture, pushing objects off tables or shelves. She's probably trying to get your attention. Keep in mind, a 15 year old cat is roughly the equivalent of a 70-something person. She's getting old, and tired, and achy. Would you subject your grandma to really loud music and ignore signs she's upset? Also, clean that litterbox every day. Seriously.
posted by aught at 8:33 AM on February 19 [3 favorites]

Cats peeing on stereo speakers is quite common, apparently.
posted by MrMoonPie at 9:07 AM on February 19

what is the connection between urinary disease and not going in the litterbox?

There are several reasons. First is what kindall said above -- avoidance of the litterbox because of associations with pain. There is also the fact that cats with urinary issues will avoid urination for as long as possible, so that when they eventually REALLY have to go, they may not be able to get to the box. Finally, the urge to urinate seems to come on more abruptly and more forcefully, so they feel like they won't be able to get to the litterbox in time.

I personally think there is also some aspect of what aught is talking about going on with the whole inappropriate urination/urinary disease thing -- they think that by peeing on your clothes you will get the hint that there is something wrong with their pee. I've never discussed that theory with a vet, though, so that's just my own thing.
posted by Rock Steady at 9:22 AM on February 19 [1 favorite]

They have sensitive ears and psyches
I got to "psyches" and knew it was watercarrier. I doubt the music's hurting the cat's psyche, it's much more likely the fact that your cat is fifteen years old, which is ancient in cat years.

Look at it this way. You're a cat, you're old, you are trapped in this building with these humans, you are spending the majority of your time trying to nap and to hold your pee in until you get to the litterbox. Now the loud music starts up, and you get freaked out. Your naps are getting ruined, you're tired. You are going to start having trouble with peeing.
posted by gjc at 9:50 AM on February 19

cats with UTIs and/or bladder problems also use inappropriate elimination (e.g. "peeing outside the box") as a way to let their people know they're in pain. in essence, they do it for the attention.

it's a simple process of labwork on urine you collect and take to the vet. you should have this done just to rule out physical ailments.

if she's 15, it could also be that she is starting to suffer from an old-cat ailment, kidney decline/failure. if she is drinking more water than usual, she may have to pee more often than she's accustomed to, and that could lead to inappropriate elimination. in short, take her to the vet.

after it's been established that there's nothing wrong with her physically, then yes i'd say it's certainly possible that she's reacting to loud music by expressing her distaste.
posted by CitizenD at 11:25 AM on February 19

what is the connection between urinary disease and not going in the litterbox?

aside from a UTI, there is also the chance of urinary blockage. think the feline version of kidney stones. it can make urination difficult or impossible, so if your cat is straining at the litterbox or peeing tiny small amounts at a time, take that as a sign to get her immediately checked out. but inappropriate eliminations (code for peeing outside the box) are sometimes the only way a cat has of communicating that it is in need of care/attention. a few years ago, my cat had a urinary blockage and the only signs he gave us were constant peeing on the floor. i kept thinking that he was just doing it to piss me off (no pun intended) or because he was jealous of my new boyfriend or something so i really felt like a jerk when i found out what was causing his inappropriate peeing. it had gotten to be an emergency situation (possible bladder rupture/kidney failure/toxemia) by the time i got with the program. he's fine now, but all the same, i wish i had gotten him to the vet about a month before i actually did.

that said, it's entirely possible that your cat is upset by the loud music and this is her only avenue to express that displeasure. but for your own peace of mind, go ahead and rule out any physical problem she may have, especially given her age.
posted by fancyoats at 2:35 PM on February 19

there is also the chance of urinary blockage. think the feline version of kidney stones

This is far less likely to be the case with a female cat. Urinary blockages are almost exclusively seen in male cats (and are seen disproportionately often in male orange cats, for some reason). But for future reference, fancyoats is right -- a urinary obstruction can be fatal within a few days. If your male cat is straining to urinate but little or nothing is coming out, go to the vet as soon as humanly possible.
posted by Rock Steady at 7:42 PM on February 19