Q: We adopted our feline friend in 2001; she is no longer a kitten but a full grown 16-pound problem. A few years ago, when my mother-in-law passed away, we took her dog, and the problem of our cat relieving herself anywhere escalated. She doesn't get along with the dog or my other cat. She sometimes uses the box, sometimes pees in front of it, sometimes anywhere else. A month ago, I took off my pants and laid them on the sofa; when I picked them up there was cat pee on them. Our vet says the problem is behavioral, but I feel there may be some physical condition our vet doesn't know how to diagnose. I noticed her urine stream does not go straight down but sprays out. Do you have any suggestions?

J. S., Hollywood, Fla.

A:In my experience, when people say there may be something physically wrong with their pet, they usually are correct. Dr. Ilona Rodan, Madison, Wis.-based past president of the American Association of Feline Practitioners, agrees. She advises a thorough physical exam, which would include a urine sample. Diagnosing a urinary tract infection may take more than one test. Even more common in cats is cystitis, a condition that is often provoked by anxiety.

Here are some basics that Rodan suggests. "Since your cat is at least occasionally peeing right near the box, this is a clue that she doesn't mind the location of the box - but something else is preventing her from going inside it. It's possible it's just too dirty for her, and simply scooping more often will help. It may be she has an issue with the litter. Or it may be your other cat or the dog is nearby. Certainly, her relationship with the other pets may be causing her great anxiety and could well be the source of the problem.''

There's no indication of how many boxes you have - but simply adding another box or two (all to be located in different rooms) could help. In your case, it's likely the more litter box locations the better.

Rodan suggests bringing in hands-on help, a veterinary behaviorist, or a member of the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior to further investigate any potential medical explanation, or suggest ways to modify your cat's behavior toward other household members.

Reviewed by Amy I. Attas, V.M.D.

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