My Alpha Female is starting to pee everywhere

Question
I have 6 cats. 5 indoor and 1 outside. No dogs.  My first 2 females Ashley & Nicky are sisters and have been spayed. They are 5 years old. Then we got TC, male, neutered and 3 years old.  Then we got Abby, female, spayed and almost 3 years old. Then we got Polly, female, spayed and 2 years old. Everything has been fine all these years. (I have had them all since they were kittens - adopted from shelters) This past December 2006 we found a stray female outside. I named her Honey.  Since we have an old dog door in the basement I taught her to use it(she is so smart!) and she is now an indoor/outdoor cat. Mainly because it was wicked cold and I couldn't bear her freezing outside.  I had her spayed and the vet thinks she is about 1 year old.  During the winter she stayed much of the time in the basement, she has never been inside the house.  Now that it is warm she hangs out around the house and my other 5 indoor cats are now seeing her more often through the windows.  Just recently my Alpha female (Ashley) has started to pee on the wall, furniture and on top of the kitchen counter on a very important document!! AUGH!! I have caught her 3 times now.  She does use the litter box, and she is acting normal otherwise.  Except every once in awhile she will pick a fight with Polly - who happens to look just like Honey.  I guess my question is could my outside cat Honey cause this issue with Ashley?  I am going to take Ashley to the vet to get her checked out, but was hoping for your advice in the meantime.  I hate to think that I would have to get rid of Honey, even though she hasn't been with us very long, she has become the sweetest cat.  And I like having a "mouser" around.  She also seems to keep the deer away, which is bringing much joy in finally seeing my flowers and plants bloom before they get eaten.  EXTRA INFORMATION:  None of them are declawed.  They are up to date on all shots. They have the run of the house.  They all have their own cat beds and are allowed to sleep in bed with me. (which they gladly do, and Ashley is a huge bedtime snuggler!)I have 3 very large (those long containers you use to put sweaters in under the beds) made into litter boxes - 2 downstairs and one in a back spare bedroom which are always kept clean.  They each have their own food bowl(one wet and one dry) and water are in the kitchen. I know it's not a litter box/close to food issue.  Also, Honey has her own bed/food/water/litterbox set up for her in the basement. Sorry to post so much, but I wanted to give you all the information I have to assist you.  I appreciate any and all replies.

Answer
HI Linda,

I'm glad you're taking Ashley to the vet first, because even though her bahavior is related to Honey's arrival it's possible that she's developed a urinary tract problem, which can be aggravated by stress. More about that here:

http://catnet.stanford.edu/articles/litterbox.html

If she doesn't have a medical problem, then yes she is urinating to mark her territory because she sees and smells Honey hanging around. And her attacks on Polly are definitely redirected aggression - even if Polly didn't look like Honey this could happen, because Ashley gets worked up about the strange cat outside and then takes out her anger on the nearest victim. Never punish Ashely for going after Polly, because she will only associate this reprimand with Polly, and take it out on her even more. It's best just to separate her and give her a "time out" when you see her going after Polly. Distract her with some food or a favourite toy.

Here's a good artcile about redirected aggression in cats:
http://www.sniksnak.com/cathealth/aggression3.html

Here are some things you can do hopefully you won't have to resort to finding a home for Honey:

* If there is a way you can reduce her view of Honey (putting blinds in some windows, etc) the less she sees Honey the less she'll attack Polly and urinate around the house

* use Feliway spray and/or plug-in. Feliway helps reduce territorial aggression and inappropriate urination by cats, it mimics relaxing pheromones that cats exude from their cheek glands. Spraying doorways and furniture with Feliway can help deter them from urinating in those areas, and spray it around windows and doors where Ashley may see Polly. The plug-in diffuser creates a constant release of Feliway, the spray is best for local and immediate but short-term effect. Get the spray to apply to any spots your cat has urinated - but only apply the Feliway after you have cleaned the urine as explained below. The spray and diffuser work well used together. It is not detectable by humans at all (the spray smells like rubbing alcohol when you first use it, but that quickly evaporates). It is sold in most pet stores and online.

* Try an enzyme cleaner (I use Nature's Miracle) available at pet stores for cat urine. You need to soak the area thoroughly and allow it to dry naturally. When dry, the smell will be gone even to your cat.

* start adding a few drops of Bach's Rescue Remedy (available online and in health food stores), a herbal calming essence, to Ashley's food each day. t will help reduce her anxiety about defending her territory.

Good luck!