6 year old cat started urinating outside his litter box...?

Question

I am looking for anyone who has experienced similar behaviors from their adult cat that has started inappropriately
urinating outside his litter box and spraying. I am curious and worried as to why he has started this behavior and am inquiring as to how I should try and resolve this issue? I moved to a different state 3 months ago, so perhaps he is still anxious or stressed over the move? He is also doing the act in front of me, so when I catch him and call out his name to distract him, he just runs away. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Answer 1

Hi Katie... assuming your cat is neutered, your cat may have developed a lower urinary tract disorder/infection and will require a vet to evaluate and treat respectively.

All other the possibilities to consider:
- changes with litter brands
- location of the litter box isn't private enough
- some cats like to have one box to defecate and another to urinate
- cleanliness (some cats are very finicky and prefer a super clean box)
- as a general rule there should be one litter box for each cat plus one extra as a back up

If and when all these have been ruled out, there's a chance then it's most likely your cat may have developed another underlying medical problem such as a lower urinary tract disorder/infection which can contribute to accidents outside of the box. Cats will associate pain while using box and change their habits as a result.

Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine for Feline Health: http://www.vet.cornell.edu/fhc/brochures/Housesoiling.html

House soiling is the most common behavior problem reported by cat owners. It includes urination and/or defecation outside the litter box, as well as urine spraying.

Why do cats eliminate outside of the litter box?
One common misconception is that cats soil in inappropriate places for revenge. It is tempting to conclude, "He defecated on the living room carpet to punish me for leaving him for the weekend." But this kind of calculation requires sophisticated cognitive abilities that cats aren't believed to possess. Furthermore, this conclusion assumes that cats view their urine and feces as distasteful, when in fact they do not. It is only we humans who view it that way.

Medical Problems
So why do cats urinate or defecate on your bed or carpet? Medical problems are one possibility. Inflammation of the urinary tract may cause painful or frequent urination, inability to urinate, bloody urine, and crying during urination. An affected cat is likely to eliminate outside the litter box if he comes to associate the box with painful urination, or if he has an increased urgency to urinate. In addition, kidney, liver, and thyroid diseases often lead to increased drinking and urination. Inflammation of the colon or rectum, intestinal tract tumors, intestinal parasites, and other gastrointestinal conditions may cause painful defecation, increased frequency or urgency to defecate, and decreased control of defecation. Age-related diseases that interfere with a cat's mobility (for example, arthritis, nervous system disorders, or muscular diseases), or with his cognitive functions can also influence his ability to get to the litter box in time. In short, any medical condition that interferes with a cat's normal elimination behavior can lead to house soiling.

Litter Box Aversions
Behavioral problems, such as litter box aversions, inappropriate site preferences, or urine spraying can also lead to house soiling. An aversion implies that there is something about the litter box that your cat finds unsavory. It could be the box, the litter, the location of the box, or all three.

...please see website for further details.

Answer 2

It's possible your cat has a urinary tract infection. It's a wise idea to take him to the vet to be sure.

If you have changed brands of litter, styles of litter boxes, or the location of the litter box, that may be part of the problem.

Yes, it could still be stress from the move, but if he's had several months to settle, that's not likely it.

It could be, however, that there are other pet smells in the house that he feels he needs to cover. They may be so faint that you don't smell them, but he does. If the previous owners/renters had cats, dogs, rabbits or other free-roaming animals that urinated on the carpet, he may be trying to re-mark it as his teretory.

Answer 3

First of all get some urine be gone and spray where he has gone. The next day you have off shampoo the carpets and use a pet stain remover and put a little lemon juice in the carpet shampoo. It would be my guess that since you have moved that perhaps the previous occupants had a male cat and your cat is trying to mark his territory. It could also be that someone in the neighborhood has a female that is in heat.

Answer 4

Our cat started doing this when he was 4 years old. We tried several different "remedies" to change this habit, but nothing worked. Upon the third trip to the Vet it was determined that he was moderately diabetic. They hadn't thought to test him previously due to him being so young.

We now give him insulin injections twice a day and he's on a managed diet. As long as his glucose is in check he'll use the catbox, but as soon as he starts urinating outside of it we know that it's time to have his glucose level checked again. Good luck, as I know how frustrating it is!

Answer 5

My cat has done this often.
We found he had urinary track infection.
We gave him a special food.
Do determine whether he/she has urinary track infection see if the pee has blood or how small amount of pee
Otherwise your cat doesnt like the litterbox or is being stubborn.
If the litter box doesnt have a top you should cover it with a top. Cats like privacy just like we do. They also may not like the smell... Cats do not like smelly cat litter(ex. Fresh Step) and dusty litter can cause infection.

Guide on litterboxes:
http://www.indoorcat.org/need/litter.php
...

Answer 6

I had a cat that done this. I took him to the vet and he had a urinary tract infection which was caused from using the litter box powdered deoderizer that you can sprinkle in to make it smell better. I stopped using the powder deoderizer and used the meds that the vet gave me and he got much better.

Answer 7

Is he neutered?

Also, the move could be part of the problem and he is marking his territory, especially if he smells a cat that previously lived there.

Call your vet, for this could also be a UTI or some other medical reason (crystals, stones, tumor, etc.).

Answer 8

I have had the same problem. They can be doing this because they are still nervous of the new surroundings, but as in my cats problem he was getting old and worn down. My suggestion is to find a professional cat care taker to take care of him until he is used to his new home, but still check up o him/her daily!