Steps How to Stop Your Cat From Peeing Outside the Litter Box

Cats frequently experience urinary problems, and improper peeing outside of the litterbox can be so upsetting to cat owners that some may think about adopting new cats. You should be aware that there is still hope for your cat before you take this path.

Not only can you discover the best ways to handle your cat’s urinary difficulties, but you might also be able to avoid some of them altogether. Discover below the causes of your cat’s incorrect litterbox behavior and how to put a stop to it.

Why Do Cats Pee Outside the Litter Box?

Before you can begin to correct a litter box problem, it’s important to understand why your cat is peeing inappropriately. A cat urinates outside its litter box for one of two general reasons: a medical problem or a behavioral issue.

Medical Issues

The first thing to do if your cat is peeing inappropriately is to take it to the vet. The veterinarian will examine your cat physically and examine a urine sample. Your veterinarian will suggest a course of action based on the findings. Numerous urological conditions are typical in cats, including:

Crystals may accompany bladder stones or be a precursor to stone formation in some cats, who may develop genuine stones in their bladders that can irritate it or even obstruct it. X-rays are required to identify the size and number of stones if your veterinarian suspects your pet has bladder stones. A particular diet may be able to dissolve smaller bladder stones, but surgery may be required to remove larger stones (cystotomy). It’s typical for a cat to have bladder stones to also have a UTI. If so, antibiotic treatment is necessary.

Idiopathic cystitis: The term “cystitis” refers to bladder inflammation. Idiopathic denotes an uncertain etiology. Hematuria is common in cats who have cystitis (blood in the urine). 2 It is crucial to test a urine sample because the blood can only be seen under a microscope. If your vet discovers that your cat’s pee includes blood, but there are no crystals, bacteria or stones present, the likely diagnosis will be idiopathic cystitis. Idiopathic cystitis is usually treated with a combination of diet alteration and environmental enrichment. Additionally, drugs for pain and anti-anxiety may be used.

Metabolic illness: Increased urination is one of the signs of chronic renal disease. 3 Other metabolic conditions like liver illness, diabetes, and thyroid problems can increase your cat’s urination. Your vet might want to conduct some blood tests to check for these concerns if your cat has been drinking more or if you’ve noticed that you need to clean the litter box more frequently.

UTI, or urinary tract infection: Young cats rarely get urinary tract infections, but they can be a common source of urinary problems in older cats, either on their own or in combination with other illnesses that affect the urinary system. 2 Urinary tract inflammation may be brought on by bacteria in the urine. A urinary infection is treated with antibiotics  tract infection. Your vet will likely recommend follow-up testing after the antibiotics are finished to make sure the infection is gone.

The term feline lower urinary tract disease, or FLUTD, is commonly used when one or more urine problems are persistent. Your veterinarian could suggest a specific urinary diet and/or supplements to assist the urinary system if your cat has FLUTD.

Urinary problems can lead to a serious, urinary obstruction, especially in male cats. Do not put off going to the vet if your cat has urinary problems. Your cat may have a partial obstruction or blockage if little or no pee is coming out despite your cat’s posturing to urinate. In this situation, take your cat to the clinic right away because the condition could swiftly turn fatal.

When a cat has a nonurinary health issue, it can occasionally urinate inappropriately. Your cat may be peeing outside the box because of pain or discomfort elsewhere in the body. It’s a good idea to have your vet order comprehensive lab work to look for a health issue if none is found during the initial exam

Behavioral Reasons

It’s critical to identify the elements influencing your cat’s behavior if a medical reason for its inappropriate urinating cannot be established.

Dirty Litter Box

Cats are picky when it comes to their latrines. Your cat can simply find the litter box to be excessively unclean. Alternatively, it can be spotless yet awkward to use. For instance, your cat can find the box uncomfortable to use because it is too small. It could also be at a place that your cat dislikes. Your cat might be bothered by this if it’s covered. The litter may smell strongly or feel unpleasant on your cat’s paws. Too few litter boxes might also be a problem because cats appreciate having options.

Stress

Perhaps your cat is trying to inform you that things are stressful at home.
5 It could be trying to communicate with the other animal in the house that it doesn’t like them by marking its territory. If the other animal is out and about, your cat could feel it is too risky to use the restroom. In addition, if a new person moves into the house, your cat might “act out.”

Cats are sensitive to the tiniest of changes in their environs. Make sure your cat has a peaceful retreat where it can escape, regardless of the stressor. This sanctuary shouldn’t be accessible to the new animal or person.

Old Urine Odor

Even after you clean up the mess where your cat urinated, the odor may linger. Your sense of smell is much worse than a cat’s. There’s a significant likelihood your cat is coming back to the location because of the smell if past urine odors are still present in your home.

How to Stop Inappropriate Litter Box Behavior

Perhaps the most common reason cats urinate inappropriately is that they dislike the litter box. If your cat is peeing everywhere and you’ve ruled out medical issues, then it’s time to reassess your litter boxes.

• Begin by making sure your cat’s litter boxes are as clean and desirable as possible. Choose the largest litter boxes possible and try to keep them uncovered. Your cat may feel cramped inside a covered box, especially if it’s a large or fluffy cat.
• Place litter boxes in a quiet yet accessible area of the home. Make sure they’re not placed in the area where your cat eats or drinks. For the sake of your cat’s privacy and your own decor, consider a decorative screen to separate the cat litter box area from other areas.
• Make sure there’s a box on each level of your home.
• For older cats, the litter box should be easy for your senior cat to get into. Consider getting a shallow cat box or placing a ramp at the entrance of the box.
• Find a good cat litter that your cat likes. Ideally, choose an unscented, scoopable litter that cats love, such as Dr. Elsey’s Cat Attract.
• Many veterinarians recommend having one litter box per cat, plus one extra. This means having two litter boxes even in a one-cat household. One reason for this is that some cats like to use one box for urine and the other for stool. The other reason is to prevent competition between cats for litter box territory.5
• Make sure your home is a happy place for your cat. Add plenty of vertical space and feline enrichment to make your cat’s environment optimal. Remember to play with your cat and provide toys. If environmental changes are not effective, your vet may recommend a supplement or prescription medication to reduce stress and anxiety in your cat.
• It’s essential that you thoroughly clean any inappropriate areas where a cat has urinated using a special cleaner, such as an enzymatic cleaner, to completely eradicate the odor. Otherwise, your cat may continue to pee there.

In general, the key to stopping inappropriate urination in cats or avoiding it altogether is as simple as being a responsible, attentive cat owner. Keep your cat healthy and visit the vet for routine care and as soon as issues crop up. Minimize anxiety in your cat’s environment and try to keep a cat-friendly, low-stress home.

• How long can a cat go without peeing?

  Cats can go up to two days, or 48 hours, without urinating.

   

• How do you stop a cat from peeing on the bed?

  Figuring out the reason your cat is peeing on the bed might bring along the answer: does it have its own box? If it’s sharing, try giving each cat its own box. Is the litter box in a well-trafficked area? Give it some privacy! Have other pets also peed on your bed? That might be just the invitation this one needs. Wash your linens with an enzymatic cleaning solution to be sure no odor remains. Are your cats fighting? This may be how one is “marking” its territory. Make sure each has enough of its own space, and try a pheromone-diffuser to keep the peace. Finally, and most importantly, a cat is peeing on your bed might be because it has a UTI or other medical problem involving the bladder, and an urgent vet visit is in order ASAP.

   

• Why is my cat peeing blood?

  There are a number of reasons your cat could be peeing blood, otherwise known as hematuria: feline lower urinary tract disorder, cystitis, bladder stones, and more. This is an urgent problem, and you need to go to your veterinary emergency room sooner rather than later.

   

   

  If you suspect your pet is sick, call your vet immediately. For health-related questions, always consult your veterinarian, as they have examined your pet, know the pet’s health history, and can make the best recommendations for your pet.