Help! My cat is peeing outside the litter box. What should I do?

Reasons Your Cat May Not Be Using the Litter Box

Despite how it may seem, your cat isn’t peeing on your favorite shoes to get revenge. However, you should take this as a signal that something isn’t right. Never scold or punish your cat for inappropriate urination - this will only add to her stress and possibly worsen her condition.

Causes of inappropriate urination in cats can usually be divided into two categories: underlying disease or behavioral.

Underlying Disease

Sometimes, a cat will urinate outside of the litter box because he is sick or in pain. Almost any illness or injury may cause a cat to pee on your furniture; however, here are some of the more common culprits:

• Urinary tract disease - infection, crystals or stones in the bladder, cystitis
• Gastrointestinal disease - stomach pain, diarrhea, or other intestinal issues
• Thyroid problems
• Pain or injury

Behavioral Causes of Inappropriate Urination

Your cat may start peeing outside of the litter box because she is stressed or upset about changes in her environment or routine. These problems can be very difficult to identify, but typically include things like:

• Routine changes in the home - new work or travel schedules
• New or rearranged furniture
• Guests or new family members in the home
• Loud noises outside such as construction or other animals
• New cats or other pets in the home
• Fighting or bullying from other cats in the home
• New litter in the litter box or change in location of the litter box
• Change in diet or feeding routine

How to Help Your Cat

To get your cat back to using his litter box, you must first determine why he started this behavior in the first place. This might require a little (or a lot) of detective work!

Start by scheduling an exam with your vet or consulting FirstVet. A full physical exam and diagnostics such as a urinalysis and blood work may be necessary to rule out underlying disease.

If you suspect that your cat is stressed about her environment or is upset about other pets in the house, try to address these problems as soon as possible. Ensure that the litter box is clean, and your cat can easily get in and out. Be sure there are plenty of litter boxes throughout the house if you have more than one cat. Consult a vet or a behavioral specialist for additional pointers. FirstVet can provide you with ways to help your cat at home or refer you to a veterinary behaviorist if necessary.

Read more:

The Cat-Lover’s Guide to Litter Box Bliss

Why does my cat have blood in his urine?

Kidney Failure in Cats

Need to speak with a veterinarian regarding your cat urinating outside the litter box or another condition?

Click here to schedule a video consult to speak to one of our vets. You can also download the FirstVet app from the Apple App Store and Google Play Stores.