If you have your cat diagnosed with blood testing, you can get the proper medication to help lessen the clinical signs and manage the condition.ĭegenerative joint disease (arthritis): Pain in the joints may cause cats to avoid their litter box, especially if they have to climb or jump into it. Cats are prone to hyperthyroidism as they age (though it can occur in younger cats), causing them to lose weight/muscle mass, vomit chronically, and vocalize more, as well as drink and urinate more frequently. Hyperthyroidism (hyperactive thyroid gland): The thyroid gland produces thyroid hormone, which affects metabolism. Surgical removal of the bladder stones and/or specific prescription diets which help dissolve certain types of crystals can help alleviate the frustrating signs. These stones can also cause blockage of the urinary tract in severe cases, which is a medical emergency. This inflammation can also put cats at a higher risk for bacterial invasion, leading to a UTI. Making sure your cat gets more water and changing them to specific “dissolution” diets can help slow the formation of crystals or even dissolve certain types of crystals.Ĭystic calculi (bladder stones): Stones in the bladder can roll around and cause inflammation of the bladder wall, which then leads to an urgency to go.
These crystals can cause microscopic inflammation in the bladder wall, eventually leading to bacterial overgrowth (UTI) and/or bladder stones. Diagnosing the urinary tract infection, specifically, which type of bacteria is causing the infection, will allow your vet to prescribe the appropriate antibiotic therapy to help clear the infection.Ĭrystalluria (urinary crystals in the urine): Crystals can form in a cat’s urine due to abnormal urine pH (too acidic or too alkaline), which can be genetic, caused by certain diets, or come from lack of water intake. Straining to urinate, frequently urinating small amounts, and/or blood in the urine can be signs of UTI in cats. Urinary tract infection (UTI): Bacteria in the urine can affect a cat’s bladder and/or their kidneys, leading to inflammation. Medical issues that can cause your cat to pee outside their litter box include: For example, an older cat with severe arthritis might have trouble getting into a box with high sides or a cover,” says Lund. Other health problems that are painful, or simply make your cat feel “off” also could be to blame. “This behavior could be the result of a urinary tract infection, kidney disease, or diabetes. Cathy Lund of City Kitty, a feline-only veterinary practice in Providence, Rhode Island. “Anything that changes a cat’s feeling of well-being can create a change in behavior, and in cats, that means litter box habit changes,” says Dr. Most possible medical conditions can be ruled out through simple urine and blood tests. When you’re dealing with litter box issues, the first step will always be to call your vet. So why do cats pee outside of the box, and what can you do about it? Here are some common causes of litter box problems. Your cat may need some easy environmental changes or medications that will greatly improve their quality of life. They can help guide you through an investigation of what is causing the behavior.
Addressing the underlying reason is the best way to stop your cat from peeing outside the litter box.īefore getting upset with your feline friend, contact your veterinarian. Most of the time, cats that urinate outside of the box are dealing with issues that can be treated-whether it’s a medical condition, stress, or a behavioral issue.
If your typically fastidious cat is ditching the litter box and peeing just about everywhere else, it can easily become frustrating to deal with the constant cleaning and strong cat pee smell.
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