Cats aren’t known to be messy pets. On the contrary, they’re hygienic and always do their dirty business inside their litter box without prior training.
However, sometimes, even felines can surprise us with their actions, such as reliving themselves in other places because of medical or environmental issues. The litter box itself could also be the problem.
Below, we’ll be discussing all of these possible causes for your cat’s unusual behavior, so let’s dive right in!
Medical Issues
When you first notice that your cat isn’t using their litter box, you should schedule a vet checkup. As already mentioned, these solitary animals don’t just decide to pee all over your floor for no reason, so watch out for warning signs of disease in cats.
The reason could be one of the common medical issues, such as the following:
Urinary tract infections (UTIs)
UTIs occur when bacteria enter the urinary tract of the cat, resulting in inflammation and irritation. Felines with UTIs usually try to pee frequently but often only pass small amounts of urine.
If your pet has a UTI, they will likely cry out in pain while peeing, and you might see blood in their urine. This discomfort can make your furry friend associate the litter box with pain, causing them to avoid it.
Learn how to read the litter box for health cues to catch infections like this one early on.
Bladder stones or crystals
Bladder stones or crystals form in the cat’s bladder, and they can cause great discomfort and blockages to your feline while peeing. In other words, they will make peeing difficult and painful for your feline.
Cats with bladder stones or crystals may stain to pee, releasing small amounts of urine, and sometimes, pass bloody urine. This discomfort can be the reason why they’re avoiding the litter box.
Kidney disease
Chronic kidney disease is more present in older cats and can cause increased thirst and urination. As the kidneys fail to concentrate urine, felines may need to pee more often.
The urgency to pee and the increased volume can result in unintentional accidents outside the litter box. However, don’t let this discourage you from adopting an older cat and saving a life.
Diabetes
Like people, diabetic cats usually have increased blood sugar levels, which can cause increased thirst and urination. This can result in more frequent visits to the litter box, and if the cat can’t make it in time, they might pee elsewhere.
Hyperthyroidism
Hyperthyroidism in cats is caused by a hyperactive thyroid gland, which increases the cat’s metabolism.
Symptoms of hypothyroidism include increased appetite as well as increased thirst and urination. It can also cause weight loss. Excessive urination can result in accidents if the feline can’t make it to the litter box in time.
Hyperthyroidism, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, and other health issues can also explain why cats sleep in their litter box. If your cat does this, visit your vet ASAP to rule out any serious condition.
Arthritis
Arthritis causes joint pain and stiffness, making it extremely hard for cats to move freely. Cats with arthritis may avoid the litter box if it’s too high and they can’t climb in and out with ease.
If you suspect your feline has arthritis, you should contact your vet for help and provide a litter box with lower sides.
Feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD)
FLUTD includes various conditions that affect the bladder and urethra. Symptoms of this disease include frequent urination, difficulty peeing, bloody urine, and avoiding the litter box. The underlying causes include infections, bladder stones, inflammation, and stress, among others.
Feline interstitial cystitis
This chronic condition causes inflammation of the bladder without any obvious infection. Symptoms resemble those of a UTI, including frequent, painful urination and blood in the urine. The discomfort often makes cats avoid the litter box.
Litter Box Issues
Here’s a breakdown of common litter box issues that make cats pee elsewhere:
Dirty Litter Box
Cats hate it when their litter box is dirty and may avoid it for this exact reason. Moreover, a dirty litter box can harm your cat and yourself, so make sure to clean it regularly (at least once a week).
Wrong Litter Box Placement
Most cats prefer a quiet, private place where they can use the litter box. If you place it in a noisy, high-traffic area or near appliances that make loud noises, like a washing machine, your cat may refuse to use it.
Wrong Type of Litter
Litter is one of the essential cat supplies for a new cat owner. However, if your cat doesn’t like the scent, texture, or dustiness of the litter, they won’t use it. If you’ve recently changed the type of litter, that could also be the reason why your feline isn’t using the litter box.
Experiment with different litters if you have recently adopted a kitten. Or bring back the old type of litter if you’re a seasoned cat owner and learn about successful cat litter transition.
The Litter box is the Wrong Size or Type
If the litter box is too small, it may not give your cat enough space to turn around and dig. Additionally, some cats prefer covered boxes for privacy, while others feel claustrophobic and like their litter box open. Find out your cat’s preferences and adjust accordingly.
Not Enough Litter Boxes Around the Home
If you have multiple cats and not enough boxes, some cats might avoid the litter box because of territorial issues or because the box has already been taken. The rule of thumb is to have one litter box per cat plus one extra.
The Litter Box is Hard to Access
If your cat has mobility issues or you have a senior cat with arthritis, they might avoid using it. Make sure your cat doesn’t have to climb stairs or overcome obstacles to reach the box.
Using Strong-Smelling Cleaning Products
Cats have special noses with over 200 million scent receptors, so their sense of smell is pretty strong. Using harsh chemicals to clean their litter box may make them pee outside of it.
Household Changes
New routines, a new baby, or guests can upset your feline, resulting in accidents. Additionally, new furniture or scents can make cats mark their territory by peeing. So, if you bought new furniture or introduced new scents in your home, this might be why your pet pees outside their box.
Can it be Boredom or Stress?
Most cats aren’t fond of environmental changes, such as moving your cat to a new house, new furniture, or new family members and pets. These changes can stress your furry friend, causing them to pee outside the box. Feline anxiety can also make your cat avoid their litter box.
Remember that indoor cats need exercise more than outdoor and semi-outdoor cats, otherwise, they might get bored and anxious and exhibit behaviors, like peeing everywhere. You can avoid boredom in indoor cats by introducing interactive toys or even DIY cat toys to keep your cat active and happy.
Conclusion
The best way to prevent your cat from peeing outside their box is to discover why they’re doing it in the first place. If you suspect a medical issue, schedule a vet visit as soon as possible, and most importantly, never punish your cat for this behavior.
Owning a cat is good for your health, but you must return the favor by caring for your furry friend properly.
