Why Is My Cat Peeing Everywhere?

Of all the problems we might encounter while sharing our lives with cats, one of the most troublesome is litter box issues. Changes in your cat’s behavior regarding their peeing habits should not be left untreated — and not just for the hygiene concerns and the hassle of cleaning up cat pee. Cats have been dubbed the masters of disguise for their skill at masking the signs of illness, and if your cat is peeing outside the litter box or peeing more frequently, it may be your cat’s way of hinting at medical problems.

Why Is My Cat Peeing Outside the Litter Box?

When your cat snubs the litter box, it’s usually not out of revenge. Suddenly peeing in new places may be your cat trying to tell you something’s wrong — litter box problems are one of several possible stress-related behaviors cats exhibit. 

Urinating outside the litter box can also be a sign of a medical condition, like feline lower urinary tract disease, urinary tract crystals or stones, a urinary tract infection or even a partial blockage of the urethra, the tube that carries urine from the bladder to the outside. Urinary accidents can also happen because of conditions that make your cat pee more frequently or with greater urgency, such as kidney disease, diabetes and hyperthyroidism (too much thyroid hormone).

Frequent and apparently painful urination can be the sign of a partial or full blockage of the urethra, the tube that channels urine from the bladder to the outside. This tends to occur more often in male cats because their urethras are typically longer and narrower than those of female cats.

These cats tend to void smaller amounts of urine than their large-volume counterparts. They may strain, cry out in pain and even leave evidence of bloody urine. Because the cat may associate the litter box itself with pain, it may avoid the box entirely and urinate in other areas of the house.

How Many Times a Day Should a Cat Pee?

In general, cats pee around two to four times a day. So if you’re finding more urine in the litter box, it usually means your cat is drinking more, too. On average, a healthy 10-pound cat usually drinks about one cup of water a day.

If you suspect that your cat is urinating more, try to determine how much they drink in 24 hours to see if excessive thirst is the cause. Measure fresh water into a bowl in the morning and then keep track of how many times you refill the bowl, measuring each time. The next morning, measure how much is left in the bowl. (For homes with more than one cat, you may need to isolate the cat in question in their own room during this time.) If your cat drinks more than a cup of water per 10 pounds of body weight each day, you should call your veterinarian.

Why Is My Cat Peeing So Much?

A number of diseases in cats can result in increased thirst which then leads to increased urination. The most common are kidney disease, diabetes and hyperthyroidism, an overproduction of thyroid hormone. Of course, hot weather can make your cat drink more too — not all cases of increased urination indicate a health problem.

While you may be tempted to limit your cat’s water so there’s less to clean up in the litter box, you should never do this without consulting your veterinarian first. This can lead to severe dehydration and other problems. It’s better to keep filling the water bowl to keep up with your cat’s thirst.

When to See Your Vet About Litter Box Problems or Increased Urination

If you suspect your cat has a urinary blockage, that is a life-threatening medical emergency, and your cat needs to see the veterinarian immediately. If confirmed by the veterinarian, your cat will most likely require anesthesia and emergency care to unblock the urethra.

If your cat’s not straining to urinate but just appears to be urinating more, it’s still important to schedule a veterinary visit in the near future. Your veterinarian may recommend blood tests, a urinalysis and possibly X-rays or other tests to help determine the underlying cause of the problem.

Why Do Cats Pee on Things? Is It Marking? 

If your cat is urinating outside the litter box and your vet has ruled out a medical condition, they may try to determine if your cat is marking or just urinating. Cats may “spray” in the house to communicate to other cats in the household or neighborhood cats that may stroll through your yard. It’s a way of marking their territory. Urine marking differs from urination in a number of ways. Typically, cats mark on vertical surfaces, often backing up to the couch or doorway with their tail up and quivering. The volume of liquid is usually smaller than what you’d typically find in the litter box. And the urine often contains additional substances that lend a muskier scent to the spray.

Although any cat may mark, including female, neutered or spayed cats, it generally happens more in intact (unneutered) male cats. If your cat is marking, you’ll need to remove the scent and work with your veterinarian to help eliminate this behavior.

Why Is My Cat Peeing on the Floor?

If there are no underlying medical reasons and your cat isn’t marking, it could just be that your cat is fussy about their litter box. You can make environmental changes that will address your cat’s concerns:

• Abide by the 1 + 1 rule. You should have multiple boxes: one litter box for every cat in the household plus one more. So, if you have three cats, you should have at least four litter boxes.
• Size matters. The litter box should be at least 1.5 times the length of your cat (excluding the tail). If you have an older cat, consider a box with lower sides. Many cats will avoid covered boxes.
• Keep it clean. A dirty litter box drives cats elsewhere to get themselves clean. Scoop the litter at least once a day or even more often if you have multiple cats — clumping litter might make your task much easier. Discard the litter about once a week and wash the litter box with a mild dishwashing soap.
• Try different litters, including unscented litter. Does your cat prefer a different texture or smell? 
• Access. Older cats with painful arthritis may avoid the litter box if the sides are too high to climb over or if they have to ascend or descend flights of stairs to get there. Kittens have to be able to get to the box and climb in.
• Location, location, location. Most cats like privacy, so avoid placing the litter box in high-traffic areas.

Does My Cat Have a Behavior Problem?

Sometimes, cats turn their tails up at the litter box because they’re stressed. Any changes in the household, such as the addition of a new baby, construction workers in the house or bullying by another cat in the family, can upset the cat’s routine, and anxious cats can have accidents. If this is the case, work with your veterinarian to devise a plan to help minimize your cat’s stress — and hopefully, their inappropriate urination activities.

When it comes to cat urine, everyone in the house notices a cat’s litter box habits, which means early intervention to make sure any medical issues are under control and your cat’s well-being and quality of life is maintained.