Why Is My Cat Peeing Outside The Litter Box
Congratulations! You have a cat. The furry little friend is adorable, but you’ve probably noticed that this creature does some weird things now and then.
Cats are known for having a litter box in their home, which they use to relieve themselves. However, sometimes cats decide it would be better to go outside of the litter box and pee somewhere else in your house instead. This can be frustrating if you’re not sure why they’re doing it! While there are many reasons why your feline friend might be making this choice, we’ll run through some of the most common ones here:
Medical Reasons
Medical reasons are the most common cause of a cat urinating outside of the litter box. The following are some conditions that can lead to inappropriate urination:
- Urinary tract infection (UTI)
- Kidney disease
- Diabetes mellitus
- Feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD), which includes crystals and stones in the bladder, prostate enlargement, and inflammation of the urethra or ureters that carry urine from the kidneys to the bladder
Litter Not to Their Liking
The first thing to do is make sure you’re using the right type of litter. Cats are very particular about their bathroom habits, and if it’s not to their liking they may find an alternative place to go.
Some cats prefer unscented or fragrance-free litters, while others like a more fragrant option. The amount of litter you use will also be important—you don’t want there to be too much or too little in the box. Your cat’s age can also play a part in how often they visit the box; older cats may require more frequent cleaning because they’re less mobile than younger ones.
Stress and Anxiety
It’s important to first rule out any medical issues. If your cat is urinating outside the litter box, it can be because of a urinary tract infection, kidney disease or diabetes. Your vet will be able to diagnose any of these conditions and give you the best treatment plan for your cat.
If there are no underlying health problems causing your cat’s behavior change then behavioral issues are likely at play here. Cats can be stressed by a new pet, new baby, new house or new furniture being brought into their environment and this stress causes cats to urinate outside their litter box or have accidents in the house instead of using it as intended.
Boredom or Depression
Cat urine marking is a common problem among cat owners. This behavior is caused by a variety of issues, but often it signals that your cat is not happy or content with his or her current life situation.
Here are some possible reasons why your cat may be urinating outside the litter box:
- Boredom or depression—Cats are very independent animals who like routine and familiarity. If you recently moved to a new home, had a baby or changed jobs, your cat may be feeling stressed out from all the changes in his environment and feel it’s necessary for him to mark this new territory as his own (even though he already has one). You can help keep him calm by giving him more time with you each day and creating consistent feeding times so he knows what to expect when he wakes up each morning. Also make sure there’s plenty of entertainment available at all times (if possible) so boredom doesn’t set in!
Thyroid Issues
A cat with hyperthyroidism has an overactive thyroid gland, which can cause them to lose weight and have a decreased appetite. If your cat is also urinating outside their litter box, this may indicate that your feline friend might have hypothyroidism. This condition is when the thyroid gland is underactive and causes cats to gain weight while they experience other symptoms like vomiting and diarrhea.
If you notice that your cat is peeing out of the box or not eating as much as usual, it’s important to visit your vet immediately so they can diagnose what’s going on with their body!
Kidney Disease
Kidney disease is a common cause of urinary tract infections and can lead to your cat peeing outside the litter box. In some cases, the infection may be caused by something else. If you notice that your cat is urinating outside of her litter box, consult with your vet to rule out any other possible causes. Urinary tract infections are treatable with antibiotics and can often be resolved quickly if caught early enough.
Diabetes
If your cat is urinating outside the litter box, diabetes could be the culprit. Diabetes is a condition in which there’s not enough insulin (a hormone that helps convert glucose into energy). Insulin affects how the body processes glucose, and when there isn’t enough of it, your cat may experience issues with digestion, weight loss and even kidney damage.
If you suspect that your cat has diabetes because she’s peeing outside her litter box, talk to your veterinarian about getting her tested for this condition. If she does have diabetes then treatment will involve giving her insulin injections on a regular basis.
The Box is Not Clean Enough
A cat’s sense of smell is so strong that if the litter box is not clean enough, they will not use it. You should be cleaning it at least once a day and using clumping litter to make scooping easier. In order to get used to a new box, place some of your cat’s old litter in the new one. Make sure that the box is in an area with low traffic, away from loud noises or other distractions that might make your pet uncomfortable.
Marking Territory
When cats urinate on vertical surfaces, it’s known as marking territory. In the wild, this is done by scratching trees and spraying urine on bushes to claim their area. Your cat may mark your property to let other cats know that they’re in the area. It can also happen when they feel threatened or anxious about something going on in their environment—like new furniture being delivered!
Reoccurring UTIs
Reoccurring UTIs are more common in cats than you might think. A UTI, or urinary tract infection, is usually caused by bacteria that normally live in your cat’s bladder. However, if these bacteria are allowed to multiply, they can cause the walls of your cat’s bladder to swell and become inflamed. Females are more susceptible to this condition because their anatomy makes them prone to UTIs.
UTIs can be cured with antibiotics but it’s important that you don’t wait too long before seeking treatment for your kitty if you notice symptoms such as frequent urination and blood in urine (which may also smell like ammonia). If left untreated over time, a UTI could lead to kidney failure—so it’s always best to err on the side of caution when dealing with this kind of illness!
It’s a Senior Cat Thing
The most common cause of urination outside the litter box in senior cats is incontinence. Just like with humans, this condition can happen to any cat at any age, but it’s much more common in older cats.
Cognitive dysfunction, or dementia, can also cause your senior cat to urinate on the floor or somewhere other than the litter box. Dementia affects a pet’s memory and ability to think clearly; it’s not clear why this happens in pets as well as people, but there are some theories that suggest brain shrinkage and neuron breakdown may play a part. The good news is that there are medications available that may help improve symptoms such as anxiety or depression that often accompany dementia-related behavior changes (like urinating outside their usual spot).
Arthritis and arthritic pain can cause older cats to feel pain when they use their litter box for elimination purposes; if this happens frequently enough over time then they will begin trying different places around your house where they don’t feel pain every time they go! This type of behavior is known as feline idiopathic cystitis (FIC), which basically means “we don’t know what causes it.” Symptoms include: frequent urination despite normal amounts consumed by food consumption; straining/walking away after finishing up eliminating; decreased appetite due to discomfort from increased frequency of use during waking hours instead than being able to get adequate restful sleep between meals due too frequent trips outdoors afterward just before going back inside again–>cramped muscles surrounding pelvic area causes stiffness upon rising again after lying down; constant pacing back & forth until relieving oneself has taken place—>painful process taking longer each time making sure everything gets cleaned up correctly while still finding time between naps because we cannot afford another visit without cleaning up all traces immediately afterward!
Cats have many medical reasons for peeing outside the litter box.
There are several medical reasons that your cat might be peeing outside the litter box:
- If your cat is not feeling well, he or she may urinate outside of their box. This is because when cats get sick, they often feel too ill to make it to their litter boxes in time. They may also associate their illness with something else (like the box) and therefore begin urinating elsewhere as a result.
- If you have recently introduced a new pet into your household or changed up the layout of your home, this could stress out your cat enough that they end up urinating somewhere other than in their litter box. Cats are very sensitive creatures who need routine and structure in order for them to feel comfortable and secure in their environment. When something disrupts this routine—such as moving furniture around—it can cause stress for some cats who might then choose another area over using the litter box until things return to normal again!
If your cat is peeing outside the litter box, it could be a sign of a medical problem. It’s important to rule out any medical conditions that might be causing this behavior before assuming the worst. If not treated, your cat could experience serious health issues and even die.
