Are you Worried about “Why Is My Cat Peeing Outside the Litter Box?” Solved!

Why Is My Cat Peeing Outside the Litter Box? This question can be answered only by understanding the behavior of cats. Cats are generally spic and span; they groom themselves to a hygienic perfection. When our Kitty starts to urinate outside his/her litter box, it is a cause of concern and mostly is an indication of an underlying issue.  Here, we try to explain the various causes that are to be looked into and corrected to bring back normal routine.

Medical Reasons Why Your Cat Might Be Peeing Outside the Litter Box

Medical issues have to be ruled out primarily before addressing any other issues. Both Tom cats and Queens are susceptible to Urinary Tract Conditions and it is a definite cause of restlessness and discomfort, which prompts them to avoid using the litter box. Find below the most common Urinary Tract Issues in Cats. Urinary Tract Infections cause lots of pain and discomfort while urinating. Cats may associate the pain and the Litter box and they would avoid urinating there. Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease (FLUTD) causes retention of urine, lots of straining, blood in urine. Kitty’s with the condition may have an urgency or tendency to pee consistently and might tend to avoid the litter box. Frequency of peeing might be on the higher side in cats suffering from Kidney Disease or Diabetes conditions and the litter might get saturated. Cats might just try and avoid such litter boxes.

Abnormal Behavior: A Common Reason Why Cats Pee Outside the Litter Box

Abnormal Behavior might just be the reason why the cat spares the litter box. It is a proven fact that Cats are sensitive and changes in the surroundings influence them and induces stress or anxiety. When a non neutered cat is newly introduced into a household with existing cats, it marks its territory by urine spraying. Such cats tend to pee outside the litter.  Cats develop stress or anxiety with sudden changes in their environment to which they are used to. A simple shift of their litter box adjacent to a washing machine or a source of noise, presence of another (new) pet near the litter, changes in the number of human beings in the household, absence or demise of a pet or person with which the pet was attached to all are sources of stress or anxiety and can trigger urination outside the litter box. Cats are meticulous on matters concerning their litter box. Changes in type of litter, an unreachable litter box, non removal of litter on a daily basis, an unclean box or a litter box with protruding edges or lack of comfort may incite the Feline to pee

Environmental Factors that stand as reasons for why my Cat Peeing Outside the Litter Box

The circumstances in which your cat resides influence their habits in association with the litter box. Discontentment with the immediate environment stimulates the habit of peeing outside the litter box. Cats may refuse to accommodate themselves in dirty/smelly litter boxes. It has been noticed that some cats are averse to particular types or smell of litter. If your cat is urinating outside and if you have made a recent change in litter type, the problem lies there. Cats like their peace and quiet and hence if their litter box is in a noisy area, they would avoid it and pee outside.

Multi-Cat Households and Peeing Outside the Litter Box

In multi cat households, it is noted that some dominant cats may tend to block other submissive cats from using the litter box due to their territorial nature. This induces some to pee outside. Same is the case with insufficient litter boxes in the household, where some cats are forced to urinate elsewhere.

Age-Related Problems: Why Older Cats Pee Outside the Litter Box

Age of the cats plays an important role since it hampers the access to litter boxes. Inability to jump or climb due to arthritis or joint pain and cognitive decline leading to forgetfulness and dementia are some geriatric issues that cats face which ushers them to urinate outside their litter boxes.   

Solutions to Stop Your Cat From Peeing Outside the Litter Box

1. Rule Out Medical Issues that stand as reasons for my cat to pee outside litterbox

 

• • It’s best to consult a Veterinarian and correct their unique pathological issue

• • Supplements to support joint health and cognitive function can be provided to Geriatric Cats

2. Clean Up and Modify

 

• • Since Cats tend to come back to the places where they have urinated before, it’s best to clean the area and apply products that mask the smell of urine and then cover the area up with aluminum foil or double sided tape which is secured to the area.

• • A new litter box can be placed in the area of urination and its position can be adjusted slowly to the original place

• • Place the old litter box in the area where it has urinated before if it tends to keep going back despite all measures adopted.

• • Spaying/Neutering can diminish territorial spraying.

3. Adjust the Litter Box Setup

 

• • Add more litter boxes in different locations if needed and ensure that the litter box is in a quiet, easily accessible location. A peaceful steady environment for your cat is important and changes can be enforced patiently with minor daily changes

• • Guarantee a daily cleaned, comfortable, reachable litter box in a calm part of the residence.

• • A trial and error method with the type of litter your cat prefers can be employed.

• • Easy access to litter boxes can be provided by placing them on each floor of your home and it is better if the boxes are equipped with low sides.

• • Some cats prefer privacy and they can be provided a covered box.

• • Dominant behavior has to be noticed and corrective measures are to be adopted.

4. Reduce Stress

 

• • Reduce boredom, Provide plenty toys, scratching posts, and hiding spots.

• • Pheromone diffusers have the ability to pacify cats and create a calming environment.

• • A stable daily routine should be in place for feeding and playtime.

5. Seek Professional Help

 

• • Animal Behaviorists can be consulted to correct additional issues

Why Understanding Your Cat’s Behavior Matters

Incidences of your Cat peeing outside the litter box can be due to Medical, Behavioral or Environmental reasons. Observation is the key to identification of the problem, and by systematically addressing the issue, resolution can be arrived at. Once the Cat is more comfortable, its habits will be restored. Professional help can be sought for stubborn issues. Remember patience and persistence is of paramount importance.