Inappropriate Urination - April 11

The Number One Behavioral Reason for Cats Being Abused, Abandoned or Euthanized

by Cheryl Waterman

Unfortunately, many people totally misunderstand this behavior.  They think, the cat is “mad” about something or “acting out.”
Urine marking or going outside the litter box can be caused by a “health” issue, like a UTI (urinary tract infection or crystals or stones in the bladder. Which, once tested for and confirmed, can be easily treated. Urination becomes extremely painful in these types of situations, and cats begin to associate the litter box with that pain. They begin trying different areas to urinate, seeking relief. There is often blood in the urine, and anyone who has ever experienced a bladder infection can testify to how uncomfortable it can be. It is the same for your cat.

Communication
Once a UTI is ruled out, it is probably simply a form of communication, i.e., your cat is trying to tell you something. Of course, this normal feline behavior is unacceptable in our homes. It is most often “secondary” to territorial issues or anxiety of some type. Most people understand territorial issues, but anxieties can be due to a variety of stressors (e.g. changes in household events or dynamics).

Where to Start
Our first recommendation is that you bring your cat in for a physical exam and urinalysis. The urinalysis is a fairly simple procedure and can tell us right away if there is a “physical” reason for the inappropriate urination. Should the urinalysis prove negative for infection, we then begin the search for other causes.

Clean Litter Box
A couple of things are good to know right off... one is that poor litter box hygiene is the No. 1 cause of house soiling. Would you choose to use a dirty toilet? Cats feel the same way. The litter box should be scooped at least once a day, and emptied and totally cleaned at least once per week. The litter depth should be 1.5” to 2.0” in most cases. If you have more than one cat in your household, then there should be one litter box per cat, plus one, as a rule of thumb.
Another thing you’ll want to do is check the location of your cat’s litter box. Is it near a noisy washer/dryer or furnace? Is it near dog dishes, or can children harass your cat too easily? Is one of your other cats restricting access to the box? Any of these possibilities may require gradual relocation of the box. Also, cats may be able to see in the dark, but that doesn’t mean they like urinating in the dark. If the box is in a dark area, a small night light may be helpful. Likewise, hooded boxes are not recommended. People like them; however, most cats do not.

The Scoop on Kitty Litter
If you have recently changed brands of litter and then the inappropriate urination occurs, then return to the previous brand or type. In general, the finer the litter is, the better – and a better choice is usually unscented vs. scented. (Scents are for people, not cats.)
If you have an older, possibly arthritic kitty, providing a lower sided box in an easily accessible area (don’t make them go up and down stairs to get to the box) may be the answer. Also, many times, if your cat happens to be long-haired, having the hair between their toes trimmed may be helpful, cats are very fastidious, and don’t like having litter stuck between their toes or anywhere else, for that matter.
Once your cat has urinated in an inappropriate area, it is important that the area be thoroughly cleaned (all layers: carpet, pad, flooring) with an enzymatic cleaner. The area should be thoroughly saturated, then covered with plain plastic for 24 hours, allowed to dry and then assessed for remaining odor. If odor persists, then repeat the process. After cleaning the area, block access to the area  if at all possible. If not, you might try covering the area with upside-down carpet protector, aluminum foil or even placing your cat’s food/water dish in the area.
There are so many options, that it would be unrealistic to list them all here. However, if you are having this problem with your cat, please give your veterinarian a chance to help him or her. Your cat is looking to you for comfort and companionship, he or she is trying to communicate that something is just not right for them.  
Cheryl Waterman is the Hospital Administrator at the Cat Clinic of Johnson County and a long-time cat lover. She has been with the Clinic for the past 13 years, and in 2007 received Certification in Veterinary Practice Management (CVPM) designation. She is a member of the Veterinary Hospital Managers Association and the American Animal Hospital Association. You can contact her directed at the Cat Clinic of Johnson County, (913) 541-0478.

Dr. Irene Schomacker at the Cat Clinic of Johnson County has 25 years of experience in feline medicine and behavioral issues. There isn’t much she hasn’t seen when it comes to issues such like inappropriate urination. As a result, we rarely euthanize a cat for inappropriate urination at the Cat Clinic of Johnson County. Call us at 913-941-0478 if you have questions about your cat. We are a feline exclusive clinic.