Why Is My Cat Peeing Outside the Litter Box?

Understanding the Cause and What You Can Do About It

Few things are more frustrating for cat owners than discovering urine outside the litter box. Whether it’s on the floor, furniture, or even your bed, inappropriate urination is a common but very solvable issue—if you know what to look for.

In this blog, we’ll break down why cats pee outside the litter box, when to seek veterinary care, and how to help your feline friend get back on track.

🚨 Step 1: Rule Out a Medical Issue First

The first thing you should do if your cat starts urinating outside the box is make a vet appointment. Many cases have a medical cause, including:

• Urinary tract infection (UTI)

• Bladder stones or crystals

• Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease (FLUTD)

• Diabetes or kidney disease

• Pain or arthritis making it hard to get into the litter box

Cats often hide illness, and urinating in unusual places may be their way of asking for help. Your vet may perform a urinalysis, bloodwork, and imaging to rule out these conditions.

👉 Bottom line: Always rule out health problems before assuming it’s behavioral.

🏠 Step 2: Check the Litter Box Setup

Once medical issues are ruled out, it’s time to investigate your litter box setup. Cats can be surprisingly picky! Here’s what might be bothering them:

📍 1. Location

• Avoid placing the box in high-traffic, loud, or hard-to-reach areas.

• Keep litter boxes away from food/water bowls and washing machines.

• Make sure your cat always has easy access, especially if doors are closed.

🧼 2. Cleanliness

• Scoop at least once a day (more if you have multiple cats).

• Completely dump and wash the box once a week using unscented soap and hot water.

🧴 3. Litter Type

• Unscented, fine-grain, clumping litter is often preferred.

• Avoid strong-smelling litters or sudden changes in brand/type.

🧺 4. Box Type and Size

• Most cats prefer open boxes over covered ones.

• The box should be at least 1.5 times the length of your cat.

• Older or arthritic cats may need a low-sided box for easy entry.

🧍 5. Not Enough Boxes

• The rule of thumb: one litter box per cat, plus one extra.

• Spread them out in different parts of the house, not all in one spot.

  
  

🧠 Step 3: Consider Stress or Behavioral Causes

Cats are creatures of habit. Sudden changes or stress can lead to inappropriate urination. Possible triggers include:

• New pets, babies, or houseguests

• Changes in routine or moving house

• Conflict between cats in the home

• Boredom or lack of enrichment

Try to keep your cat’s routine consistent, and provide plenty of enrichment like scratching posts, perches, playtime, and quiet hiding spots. In multi-cat households, make sure each cat has access to their own litter box and resources.

In some cases, your vet may recommend:

• Pheromone diffusers (like Feliway)

• Anti-anxiety medication or supplements

• Behavioral therapy or referral to a feline behaviorist

  
  

🚫 Step 4: Avoid Punishment

It’s tempting to get angry, but punishment only makes things worse. Cats don’t respond to discipline the way dogs might—instead, they become more anxious, which can increase the behavior.

Never scold, rub their nose in it, or spray them with water. Instead, focus on identifying the root cause and making the environment cat-friendly.

🧽 Step 5: Clean Soiled Areas Thoroughly

Cats are drawn back to the same spots if they still smell urine—even if you can’t smell it.

• Use an enzymatic cleaner (like Nature’s Miracle or Anti-Icky-Poo) to fully break down the odor.

• Avoid ammonia-based cleaners—they smell like urine to cats.

  
  

✔️ When to Call the Vet Again

If:

• Your cat is straining to urinate

• You see blood in the urine

• Your cat is vocalizing in pain

• They’re urinating frequently or in small amounts

👉 These can be signs of a serious medical emergency like a urinary blockage—especially in male cats. Seek immediate veterinary care.

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If your cat is peeing outside the litter box, don’t wait—schedule an appointment with us today so we can get to the bottom of it and help your kitty feel better (and your home smell fresher).