My cat is urinating outside the litter box!

Why is my cat doing this? Is he/she being mad at me?!

Most cats naturally seek soft, sandy litter and readily use their litter pans. There are many reasons that a normally well behaved cat might suddenly have litter box problems. Some problems are medical and some are behavioral, and finding the underlying cause is the key to resolving the situation.

For many cats, the first signs of a bladder infection are urine accidents. Any cat that is urinating out of the box should have a thorough physical exam done by its veterinarian, and a sample of its urine evaluated for infection, crystal formation, and other problems. In older cats, urination outside of the box can be an indicator of metabolic diseases such as diabetes, kidney disease, high blood pressure or increased thyroid function. Older cats often develop arthritis, and it may be difficult or painful for these cats to get in and out of the litter pan. Cats of all ages can develop painful bladder or kidney stones. Blood tests and x-rays may be necessary to identify the full extent of your cat’s problem. Remember, Mother Nature made cats naturally secretive about their illnesses. A change in behavior, such as not using the litter box, may be your cat’s way of telling you that there is a problem and he/she needs your help.

If the examination and urinalysis are normal, it is time to explore the behavioral reasons that may result in a cat not using the litter box. There are two big categories to be explored-marking behavior and litter box aversion. Cats may choose to mark their environment for many reasons. Cats that have not been spayed or neutered are more likely to mark their territory. The presence of stray or neighbor cats outside may inspire a cat to mark. Being picked on be another cat inside the house may have the same effect. The presence or absence of other pets, humans or furniture in the house may act as a trigger for some cats. For many cats, marking becomes a basic response to increased anxiety in their life.

There are also many reasons that a cat may develop an aversion to its litter box. The pan may not be kept clean enough by the cat’s standards. Litter box hoods may be holding in moisture or odors that the cat finds offensive, or making it difficult for the cat to climb in and get comfortable. The type of litter may be unacceptable, or the location of the box may be noisy or inconvenient for the cat. Are other pets harassing this one as he/she tries to use the box? Look at the situation from your cats’ viewpoint and ask yourself-would I use this restroom or move on to the next rest stop?

The good news here is that no matter what the cause of the cat’s inappropriate behavior, there are many things that can be done to help correct the situation. Both medical and behavioral problems can be addressed and treated. Remember, it is not normal behavior for a cat to avoid using the litter box; it is often the first sign that your feline friend has a problem and is asking for your help.

Dr. Sadek has develop another great resource describing this topic.  Click here to go to www.litterboxguru.com