If your cat is peeing outside of the litter box, living with the problem can be quite difficult. Resolving the issue can sometimes be frustrating as well.
Why Would a Cat Start Peeing Outside of the Litter Box?
Also termed “inappropriate urination,” there are many reasons a cat may stop using the litter box to pee. Health issues can be a contributing factor, and an examination by your veterinarian to rule these out is always the best place to start if your cat has suddenly stopped using the box.
Other potential causes are urine spraying, stress from external factors within the household, and litter box avoidance.
- Urine spraying is a means of marking territory. Spraying by definition happens when your cat pees on a vertical surface such as a wall. However, cats may use horizontal surfaces to mark territory also. Both male and female cats may spray or mark their territory.
- Stress can be caused by factors that seem very minor to us but to our cats, these factors are far from minor. Examples include changes in the household, like a new baby, a new roommate, a new pet, rearranging the furniture or a change in diet. Locating and identifying the factor that is causing stress can sometimes be difficult and may take some detective work.
- Litter box avoidance occurs when there is something about the litter box that your cat does not like. If your cat is peeing and pooping outside of the box, litter box avoidance is the most likely cause.
Resolving Litter Box Problems for Your Cat
Here are some suggestions that may help you convince your cat to return to his litter box to pee.
- If you have more than one cat, supply additional litter boxes. You should have at least one litter box for each cat plus one extra.
- Try different types of litters and different types of substrates in the litter box. Many cats have preferences about what is in their litter box. Often, scoopable types of litter that are unscented work well but some cats prefer carpeting, towels or other substrates altogether in the box.
- Make sure the litter boxes are located in a quiet area where your cat will not be interupted or frightened when using the box. Do not place litter boxes near washing machines, dryers or other household appliances that may stop and start unexpectedly.
- Use Feliway in your home. Often, cats with urinary issues respond favorably to the pheromone in Feliway.
- Be sure to clean any soiled areas in your home with an enzymatic cleaner to remove the odor. Otherwise your cat is likely to return to urinate there. Do not use ammonia to clean soiled areas.
- If your cat is urinating in one or two specific areas of your home, discourage him from using these areas by covering them with a plastic runner. Turning the runner upside down so the “points” are facing upwards may further deter your cat from using the area.
- Be sure your cat has access to fresh water at all times. Encourage additional water consumption by providing a water fountain or letting a faucet drip for him to drink from. Many of the health issues that cause litter box problems in cats can be improved by increasing your cat’s water consumption.
- If your cat is not already neutered or spayed, consider doing so. Though neutered/spayed cats can still spray and mark territory, unneutered males are most likely to spray.
Photo courtesy of wolfsavard/Flickr.com
