Finding a puddle on the floor instead of in the litter box can be frustrating but if your cat is suddenly peeing outside the litter box, it’s important not to assume they’re simply doing it to be “bad.”

Cats don’t usually urinate outside the litter box without a reason. Sometimes the cause is medical, while other times it’s related to stress, the litter box itself, or changes in their environment.

Here’s what you should know if your cat has started peeing outside the litter box.

First: Rule Out a Medical Problem

One of the most important things to remember is that peeing outside the litter box can be a sign that something is wrong medically.

Urinary tract infections, blockages, bladder inflammation, bladder stones, kidney disease, diabetes, arthritis, and other conditions can cause changes in your cat’s urination habits.

Your cat may even seem completely normal otherwise.

If your cat has suddenly started urinating outside the litter box, scheduling a veterinary exam is a good first step. Your veterinarian can help determine whether there’s an underlying medical problem that needs treatment.

When Is It an Emergency?

Some urinary problems can become emergencies, particularly in male cats.

Seek veterinary care right away if your cat:

• Is repeatedly going to the litter box but producing little or no urine
• Is straining to urinate
• Cries or vocalizes while trying to urinate
• Has blood in their urine
• Is excessively licking their genital area
• Seems painful, lethargic, weak, or distressed
• Suddenly stops producing urine

A cat that cannot urinate may have a life-threatening urinary obstruction and needs immediate veterinary attention.

Could the Litter Box Be the Problem?

If your cat gets a clean bill of health, take a look at their litter box setup.

Cats can be surprisingly particular about their bathrooms. Something that seems minor to us may be enough to make your cat avoid the box.

Consider:

Is the litter box clean?

Some cats refuse to use a dirty litter box. Scoop regularly and completely clean the box on a routine basis.

Did you recently change the litter?

Cats can be sensitive to changes in texture and scent. If you recently switched litter and the problem started afterward, consider returning to the previous litter or transitioning gradually.

Is the box in a stressful location?

Your cat may not want to use a litter box next to a noisy washing machine, in a high-traffic area, or somewhere they feel trapped.

Try placing litter boxes in quiet, easily accessible locations with clear escape routes.

Do you have enough litter boxes?

A helpful general rule is one litter box per cat, plus one additional box.

For example, if you have two cats, having three litter boxes can give everyone more options.

Stress Can Also Cause Changes in Bathroom Habits

Cats can be creatures of habit, and changes that seem small to us can be stressful for them.

Possible stressors include:

• Moving to a new home
• A new baby or family member
• A new pet
• Changes in household routines
• Construction or loud noises
• Conflict with another cat
• Changes to where food, water, or litter boxes are located
• Spending more time alone than usual

Stress can sometimes contribute to urinary problems as well as changes in litter box behavior.

Try to keep your cat’s routine as consistent as possible and make sure they have quiet places where they can retreat and feel safe.

Is Your Cat Spraying or Actually Urinating?

There’s also a difference between urinating and urine marking.

When a cat sprays, they typically leave a small amount of urine on a vertical surface, such as a wall or piece of furniture. Their tail may be held upright and may quiver while they spray.

Regular urination usually involves a larger amount of urine on a horizontal surface.

Urine marking can be related to territory, stress, or other environmental changes. Spaying or neutering can also reduce or eliminate urine marking in many cats.

However, medical problems should still be ruled out, especially if the behavior is new.

What Can You Do at Home?

While you’re figuring out what’s causing the problem, there are a few things you can try:

Keep litter boxes clean. Scoop regularly and clean the boxes routinely.

Make boxes easy to access. Your cat shouldn’t have to travel through a stressful or difficult area to get to the bathroom.

Avoid sudden changes. If possible, introduce new litter, food, furniture, or routines gradually.

Clean accidents thoroughly. Cats may return to areas that still smell like urine. Use an enzymatic cleaner designed for pet urine.

Don’t punish your cat. Yelling, rubbing their nose in the mess, or otherwise punishing them won’t solve the underlying problem and may increase their stress.

Most importantly, don’t ignore a sudden change in your cat’s bathroom habits.

When Should You See a Veterinarian?

If your cat has suddenly started peeing outside the litter box, it’s worth talking with your veterinarian, even if they otherwise seem perfectly healthy.

Cats are experts at hiding illness, and changes in urination can be one of the first signs that something is wrong.

A veterinary visit may include a physical exam and, depending on your cat’s symptoms, testing such as a urinalysis to help determine what’s happening.

Getting to the cause of the problem can help your cat feel better and can prevent a potentially serious condition from going untreated.

Your Cat Isn’t Being “Bad”

The next time you find urine somewhere it shouldn’t be, try to think of it as your cat communicating with you rather than misbehaving.

Peeing outside the litter box is a message. Your job is to figure out what they’re trying to tell you.

If your cat’s bathroom habits have suddenly changed—or you’re concerned something isn’t right—our veterinary team at the Pet Resource Center of Kansas City is here to help. Learn more about visiting our urgent care clinic by emailing us at [email protected] or go to prckc.org/urgent-pet-care.