Most people have cats as their pets because they are quiet and easy-going, but sometimes these cats might display behaviors that stress their owners. One of these is peeing outside their litter box. There are several reasons cats pee outside their litter box, some of which might be health issues.
Some of the reasons your cat is peeing outside its litter box are because it has an underlying medical condition like urinary tract infection, especially if its litter box is dirty or the cat is stressed out. Cats also pee outside their litter box when too many cats use the same litter box.
Urinary issues are common health issues in cats; they can cause involuntary urination, which is a major problem for their owners. When you find your cat peeing outside its litter box, it can either be a behavioral or medical issue.
Why Cats Pee Outside The Litter Box
Before trying to correct your cat’s litter box ethics, you should find out why your cat is peeing outside its litter box. A cat will urinate outside its litter box for two main reasons; behavioral issues or health problems. The reason is usually health-related; understanding these reasons will help you when dealing with them.
When your cat is peeing outside its litter box, it might be due to a behavioral issue. Several factors can cause incontinence in your cat. One of the most common reasons is when the cat has a dirty litter box. Most cats are very conscious and mindful of their toilets.
When a cat’s litter box is dirty, it will not want to pee in it. Just as humans are not comfortable staying in dirty environments, cats also feel the same way because they are clean animals. Hence, you must keep your cat’s litter box clean by scooping the litter every day or multiple times a day, depending on how often it gets dirty.
Always refresh your cat’s litter box and deep clean the box every few weeks. A cat’s sense of smell is stronger than humans, so you should thoroughly clean the litter box as it might look neat to you, but the smell is disgusting to your cat. When you clean your cat’s litter box, it becomes the first place they turn when they need to pee.
Also, when your cat’s litter box is not close to where the cat usually stays, it will find somewhere else to pee, especially if it is pressed. The litter box has to be located in an active area in the house so that the cat has quick access to it. Putting your cat’s litter box near the spin cycle of a washing machine will discourage the cat from going there.
Cats also pee outside their litter box due to a urinary medical issue. However, you cannot verify which medical issue the cat has all by yourself. You will have to take your cat to visit the veterinarian to detect which infection or medical issue it has. The veterinarian will do a physical examination on the cat to determine what the issue is.
Cats tend to pee outside their litter boxes due to a variety of urinary medical issues. One of the common urinary infections in cats is bladder stones; this infection can cause irritation and blockage in cats. An X-ray is the only way to know the size of the stone.
Smaller bladder stones can be cured through some special diet recommended by a veterinarian. However, a larger stone will require surgical operation; most cats with bladder stones often have urinary tract infections. Idiopathic cystitis is another urinary issue that cats have; it is the inflammation of the bladder, and the cause is unknown.
If your cat has Idiopathic cystitis, it often has blood in its urine; because of this, you should regularly test its urine for signs of infection. Cats also have urinary tract infections which are often common in older cats. A cat with a urinary tract infection will pee outside its litter box.
How To Know If A Cat Has A UTI?
UTI refers to urinary tract infection; it is a medical issue that is common to older cats. It can occur alone or with other medical conditions affecting the urinary system. When a cat has bacteria in its urine, it can result in an inflammatory response in its urinary tract.
When cats get urinary tract infections, it is usually a symptom of having an underlying endocrine illness like hyperthyroidism or diabetes mellitus. An antibiotic is usually given to a cat with a urinary tract infection in order to help the cat fight the infection.
In cats, urinary tract infections are characterized by straining to urinate, decreased urine output, soreness or discomfort when urinating, passing urine mixed with blood, not urinating at all, and urinating everywhere else except its litter box. If your cat exhibits any of these symptoms, it could be suffering from UTI.
Although urinating outside the litter box does not always indicate the presence of a urinary tract infection, it should be taken seriously. If your cat is displaying symptoms of urinary tract infection or you feel something is wrong, visit the veterinarian. When a male cat stops urinating, it should immediately visit the veterinarian.
The veterinarian will examine your cat and take urine samples for testing, as well as a blood test in some cases. The vet will diagnose a urinary tract infection if it has been diagnosed. There are several treatment options for UTI; however, such treatment depends on the reason for your cat’s urinary issues.
Some of the treatments for urinary tract infections are increasing the amount of water your cat drinks, dietary change, acidifiers for the urinary tract, symptom relief with antibiotics or medicine, and the use of fluids. Urethral blockage in male cats can be treated with a urinary catheter or surgery.
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How Can I Get My Cat To Stop Peeing On The Floor?
Cats, in general, are tidy and picky creatures who prefer to use their litter tray or the garden to relieve themselves. Unfortunately, even the cleanest and most well-behaved cats can have mishaps from time to time. However, you should figure out what is causing your cat to pee on the floor when this behavior continues.
Cats pee on the floor for different reasons, such as a problem with the litter tray, old age, fear of the outdoors, and stress. However, there are various measures you may take to try to address the underlying behavioral issues that are causing your cat to pee on the floor. Below are some good examples.
Learn More: Blood In Cat Urine
Create A Good Routine
Cats prefer consistent routines, and if they do not have one, they may grow anxious and urinate in inappropriate places. Feeding at the same times every day and having specific outdoor hours are the two ways to ensure a solid routine. By doing this, you prevent your cat from peeing on the floor.
Ensure Your Cat Enjoys Its Litter Tray
When a cat does not feel comfortable in its litter box, it might pee on the floor. Hence, you should try out different litter tray kinds, different litters, and different litter tray locations. You may also buy numerous litter bowls and scatter them about the house to give your cat more choices.
Final Thoughts
Cats peeing outside their litter box can be annoying and stressful to their owners; however, there is a reason for that. As a cat owner, you can apply any treatment method to your cat if you notice it has a habit of peeing outside its litter box. Also, make sure you take your cat to the veterinarian for check-ups so that you know when it has a urinary infection.
Related post: What To Do If Your Cat Is Pooping Outside The Litter Box
Shawn Manaher is a serial entrepreneur but when he isn’t working, he loves dogs. He’s owned different pets over the years, and always gives a part of his heart to each pet.
