Accepted Answer

Thanks for the question XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX.

While I cannot diagnose this over the internet I can tell you the following :

1. The first thing to do here is to have your cat checked over by your vet as red tinted urine could well be the sign of a urinary tract infection and this could explain what is going on.

2. If your cat gets a clean bill of health then this could be a behavioural problem. If this is the case it is possible that the new baby and the vacation could be related. This can be a difficult problem to solve but here is a list of all the advice I have given to my clients in the past, something here might help :

A. When you clean up after where she has been use one of the odour eliminator type solution you can get from the vet or pet store. These work as they have a biological action like a washing machine soap powder and digest organic matter. In fact a dilute solution of such a soap powder is a good thing to use as well. If you just use normal soap and water it will smell fine to you but to the cat it will still smell it afterwords, and if the place smells like a public toilet to a cat she may use it as such! Make sure you leave the cleaning agent to soak for a while.

B. Try moving the cat litterbox, thats often a good thing to do. Best advice is to keep the litter tray well away from food or water bowls because that could be reason she does not go. If she is using just one spot try moving the litter box to that spot. Providing a second litter try in another part of the house would be a good thing as well.

C. Change your cat litter to another brand which is very different in colour and texture from the brand you are using now. Also consider using earth from the garden instead of cat litter, it is not quite so absorbent as cat litter in terms of smells etc. but it is much more natural for the cat and might bring her back into her litter tray. Try not using the de-odour product in case this affecting your cat.

D. Some cats start to be dirty in the house because they are marking out their territory in response to some anxiety, another cat in the neighborhood etc. Products such as Feliway can help here, some of my clients swear by Feliway. It is used a lot in the UK but hopefully it is available in your area, your vet will advise. I have put a link about Feliway below.

http://www.feliway.uk.com/feliway_uk.nsf/Page?OpenForm

E. A few cats are put on low level tranquilisers and that can sometimes help.

If I have not covered your question fully enough or you would like to ask more I will be online for the next hour or so and I will be at your disposal

Scott Nimmo BVMS MRCVS

Expert:	Scott Nimmo BVMS, MRCVS.
Pos. Feedback:	100.0 %
Accepts:
Answered:	8/11/2009

Cat Veterinarian

I have 28 years experience in all aspects of feline medicine and surgery.