Reasons Why Your Cat Might Be Urinating Outside of the Litter Box

Welcome to Pet Peeves, a monthly series that aims to provide pet care solutions and expert advice for challenging scenarios that involve your beloved animal companions.

If you’re one of the few pet owners who hasn’t experienced their cat peeing outside the litter box, consider yourself lucky. In addition to the distinct scent of cat urine being something no one wants permeating their home, accidents like this often signal health or behavior issues that you want to resolve before things get worse for your kitty.

To better understand the root causes behind your cat peeing outside the litter box and what you can do to remedy it, I spoke with veterinarians and a certified animal trainer for some expert insights and tips. And as someone who has lived and volunteered with cats for over 25 years, I’ve seen my fair share of litter box accidents too—and had to look into why cats were behaving the way they were. Below, you’ll find advice for nipping this problem in the bud.

Take Note Of Where Your Cat Is Urinating

In order to best determine whether the cause of your kitty’s accidents is medical or behavioral, you first want to look at where your cat is peeing and note any other symptoms they’re exhibiting. Also consider whether there have been any significant changes in their environment. “During times of stress, anxiety or change, cats can start urinating out of the box,” says Dr. Jessica Hockaday, a veterinarian with Chewy. Something as seemingly minor as moving the location of their litter box or disrupting their normal routine can cause them to experience anxiety that leads to urinating outside of the litter box.

“If your cat has an ongoing affinity for urinating outside the litter box and has no other symptoms like lethargy or increase in urinary frequency” and their water and food intake hasn’t changed, then you’re likely dealing with a behavioral issue, says Hockaday. “It is also the number one reason a cat is released to a shelter and needs to be addressed as soon as a pattern is noted.” She adds that accidents on a certain person’s items or spraying can be linked to territorial behavior. Try using an enzymatic cleaner to thoroughly remove the odor of cat urine as well as any stains it may leave behind.

Rule Out Medical Issues

Always consult your veterinarian if you notice a change in your cat’s elimination habits; you want to provide them with details so they can better diagnose whether accidents are being triggered by medical or behavior issues. While cats can be affected by a host of health issues like urinary tract infections at any age, medical causes become more likely as cats get older. If a medical issue is the source of the problem, your vet can prescribe medications, prescription food, and other treatments to help.

Another reason your cat may be urinating outside of the litter box—particularly if they are a senior pet—may be because they’re having a challenging time getting into it, whether due to arthritis or other mobility issues. In this case, try a litter box with a lower threshold that’s easy to step into and out of.

Consider The Type Of Your Litter Box (And Its Location)

“Many cats can be uncomfortable using litter boxes located in enclosed spaces or have only one way in and out,” says Darris Cooper, a certified animal trainer and national dog training manager at Petco. “Try moving your litter boxes into more open areas and avoid enclosed styles of litter boxes initially to make sure your cat is comfortable.” Also be mindful of placing them in quieter areas of the home. If something near the box has scared a cat, they may not feel safe using it. Make sure the box is an appropriate size that allows them to do their business and move around comfortably. Additionally, some cats prefer covered litter boxes while others don’t. If you’re dealing with a new cat in the home, you might want to have both types available for them to choose from. Using attractant litter or calming pheromones like Feliway may help reduce stress in cats and subsequently reduce stress-related accidents outside of the litter box.

Make Sure You Have Enough Litter Boxes

The rule of thumb for litter boxes is one box per cat, plus one additional. Although some don’t mind sharing a litter box, “cats are very territorial, and having this ‘formula’ for litter boxes lessens the occurrence of unwanted elimination behaviors,” says Hockaway. “It is also helpful for multiple-story homes for there to be a litter box on each level of the house.” Scooping your kitty’s litter daily—plus changing out the whole litter box on a weekly basis and doing a thorough clean using an enzymatic cleaner—may also help limit accidents.

Meet The Experts

Darris Cooper, CPDT-KA, FFCP, is national dog training manager at Petco. A professional dog trainer for more than a decade, he fosters dogs and volunteers with local rescues and adoption partners in both Texas and California. Jessica Hockaday, DVM, MS, is a veterinarian with Chewy. She holds degrees from California Polytechnic State University, Western University of Health Sciences, and Mississippi State University. Grant Little, DVM, is a small animal veterinarian practicing at Arlington Pet Hospital in Nebraska. He also works as an animal health expert on the JustAnswer platform, answering veterinary questions from pet owners around the world.

In conclusion, addressing litter box issues with your cat requires a combination of understanding their behavior, ruling out medical issues, and providing the right environment and resources for them to feel comfortable. By following the expert advice and tips provided in this article, you can work towards resolving your cat’s litter box problems and ensuring a happy and healthy relationship with your feline friend.