How to Stop an Older Cat From Urinating Outside the Box

Older cats might urinate outside the litter box if they are ill.

Litter-trained cats of all ages can suddenly start urinating outside the litter box for no apparent reason. Common causes of this problem include stress, a dirty litter box and medical conditions. Older cats are more susceptible to certain diseases, such as arthritis, kidney disease or diabetes, which can make urination painful. When a cat experiences pain when urinating in the litter box, it might associate the pain with the litter box and simply stop using it. Once you know the cause of the problem, you can start to solve it.

Things You'll Need

• Litter boxes
• Litter
• Scoop
• Enzymatic cleaner

Instructions

1. Take your cat to the vet for a checkup. Tell your vet that your cat is urinating outside the litter box and mention any other symptoms, such as excessive water consumption or straining to urinate. These symptoms could suggest diabetes or a urinary tract infection.

2. Give your cat any medication prescribed by your veterinarian.

3. Check that the litter box is clean. Cats are finicky about hygiene and often refuse to use a litter box that is dirty or has a foul odor. Clean the cat box once a day with a scoop, and wash the box out and change the litter once a week.

4. Make any necessary changes around the house gradually. A change in routine or surroundings can cause stress in cats, and stress is often the cause of a cat urinating outside its litter box.

5. Invest in multiple litter boxes and place them in rooms around the house to ensure that there is always a box close by should kitty require it.

6. Clean up any accidents immediately with an enzymatic cleaner to remove the odor. If the odor lingers, the cat is more likely to urinate in the same place again.

Tips & Warnings

• If you've recently changed the location of the litter box or the type of litter, change it back. Cats are picky and yours might refuse to use the box in a new location, or refuse to use a different type of litter.

• Do not punish your cat for urinating outside the litter box. Punishment can frighten the cat and make the problem worse.

References

• Pet Education: Inappropriate Elimination in Cats
• Mar Vista Animal Medical Center: Feline House Soiling