What should I do about my cat peeing in front of my door every day?
Hello everyone, I hope this isn’t violating any community rules, mods please let me know if it is! This is NOT a medical advice question and I do establish that he has seen the vet.
Now firstly, some backstory. Perhaps it will make sense in just a bit. I grew up lower very lower class, we had a cat and she was the sweetest, but she continuously got pregnant and my parents never did anything to correct this. At one point I think there was 15\~20 cats in my house, I was a child and there wasn’t much I could do about it, but obviously as many of you will know this is not good at the f-ck all. Because of this I say that I have anxiety from cats? Trauma? I don’t know but for example a cat being under my bed drives me insane. I know they’re just curious but in the back of my mind I can only ever think that it’s about to use the bathroom under there.
3 years ago I moved out (4bed house) I got a roommates and one of them had 2 cats, I love them both deeply btw! But I did not allow them in my room, or when I did it was only ever under supervision. They were free to roam the house and all other rooms of course, just not mine. I am a private person in general so I never leave my bedroom door open. This same year my roommate ended up getting another kitten which we all us roommates agreed was okay, she’s also very very sweet! Shortly after this, our lease was up. My roommate and I moved into an even bigger house, and obviously all 3 of the cats came with us. Eventually, my roommates partners friends cat had kittens as was rehoming them. I don’t want to say they peer pressured me, but I did end up taking one of the kittens (first boy cat). He was old enough to leave his mom, but still a little tot. He is actually what this post is about!
4 cats in one house is a lot, at least to me it is, but we have a large house, it is very spacious and they can all run around and play. We introduced our cats correctly, and they all love each other, they play, clean, sleep together etc. My roommates 3rd cat and my cat are very bonded as hers is only a few months older so they enjoyed playing with each other the most as the first 2 cats are bonded. Before I got my cat fixed, he did get my roommates 3rd cat pregnant (of course we rehomed all the kittens, I got him fixed immediately after this) Maybe half of this information isn’t even relevant but in my head it is so work with me.
My cat knows I am his dad, I raised him, he is my son, I am his favorite person and it is evident . He loves me, and I do love him. When I first brought him home he only stayed in my room, but he’s a cat and he’s curious so eventually he joined the rest and free roamed the house, I did still let him back into my room, he would sleep with me, wake me up when he wanted to leave my room etc. But eventually he liked to be with my roommates cats more, and he would sleep in the cat tree or on the couch or whatever. (if I fits i sits yk?)
We moved again, and of course took all 4 of the babies with us. My lease at this house is almost up, so we’ve been here about a year now. My boy is 2, will be 3 next summer.
Now, finally here is my problem. Recently (past month and a half) my cat has been urinating in front of my bedroom door every day multiple times a day, initially I thought this was a heath concern so I brought him to the vet but he is as healthy as can be.Thankfully i have one of those vinyl mats under my door that prevents cats from tearing up the edge of carpets, so it does not get on my actual carpet and just sits on the mat thing. But I am beyond tired of cleaning this up. And this is what I need advice about.
I work 50 hours a week plus. It is hard to manage my personal / work life. But I always have time for my boy to play and cuddle when I am home. As previously mentioned I keep my door closed to keep the cats out from my space, but I will allow them in under moderation frequently.
Today, I got home, and of course he peed in front of my door while I was away, it was a lot and it actually pooled over the vinyl mat this time and is now on the carpet. I’ve genuinely had enough and it upset me to the point where I feel like I need to rehome him now.
I know for some, the thought of giving away your baby is something that would never cross your mind, so I don’t know maybe this is all just a reflection of me.
I love him, but genuinely, am I just an unfit pet owner?
Is it wrong to keep my door closed while I’m away?
Why is he peeing in front of my door?
Is it territorial? If so, why would he just now start doing this over 2 years later? All 4 cats still get along and they are bonded at least through my perspective. There has been no new pet additions.
Their litter boxes are always clean, we have 6 of them that get scooped daily, and changed regularly.
How can I make him stop? Can you train cats to not pee in specific places? They’re different than dogs in that sense, no?
I don’t know. I hope there isn’t too much judgment, or some understanding from my frustration and situation
I just don’t know what to do.