Inappropriate urination in cats

Urination in inappropriate places such as the floor, the couch, the carpets, or on clothing, is a relatively frequent problem in cats and is a very common reason for cats to be surrendered to animal shelters. It can sometimes be challenging to determine exactly why a cat is not using the litterbox, since inappropriate urination may be a symptom of a medical condition or it may be a behavioral problem. For this reason, veterinarians will usually recommend performing a physical examination and conducting a series of diagnostic tests to see if there are underlying medical reasons before assuming that the problem is behavioral.

The more common medical conditions that cause inappropriate urination include urinary tract inflammation or infection, liver disease, endocrine conditions such as diabetes mellitus and reproductive problems. In some cases, the problem may be associated with a medication or supplement that your cat is taking.

Behavioral causes of inappropriate urination usually fall into one of two common categories - either a dislike of the litterbox (called litterbox aversion) or stress-related misbehavior. Litterbox aversion may develop simply because the cat doesn't like the feel of the litter that is being used, or because the litterbox is not cleaned frequently enough for the cats' liking. Sometimes, litterbox aversion develops because of a stressful event that is associated with the box - such as being ambushed in the box by another household pet or being ‘caught' by somebody who then administers some medication or other treatment. There are many causes of stress related misbehavior in cats, but the more common ones include the introduction of a new person or a new pet in the home (or conversely the absence of a certain person or pet), moving to a new home, or new or rearranged furniture.

If your cat develops an inappropriate urination problem, it is usually possible to resolve it, especially if it is due to an underlying medical problem. Even when it has a behavioral cause, a successful resolution is possible. The success of treatment increases if the problem has only been going on for a short period of time, if the cat is only house-soiling in one or two locations, if the stress is identified and relieved, and if the odor is completely neutralized (not just covered up). Treatment for behaviorally induced inappropriate urination most often involves changes to the number or type of litterboxes and/or the litter (to remove the litterbox aversion), and usually includes some form of behavior modification. Punishment is rarely effective, and in most cases will only aggravate the situation. Sometimes, prescription medications may be needed.

Since inappropriate urination is only a symptom of an underlying problem, either medical or behavioral, there is no single treatment that will work in every case. However, if you seek the advice of your veterinarian sooner rather than later, chances are great that you can help your cat to become a more acceptable member of your family. For more information about this problem, please contact our clinic or check our website for related client information handouts.

Caution: These news items, written by Lifelearn Inc., are licensed to this practice for the personal use of our clients. Any copying, printing or further distribution is prohibited without the express written permission of Lifelearn Inc. Please note that the news information presented here is NOT a substitute for a proper consultation and/or clinical examination of your pet by our clinic veterinarian.