Cats are king at North End Animal Hospital and we know your home is their castle: an owner’s guide on how to navigate feline inappropriate urination
When your cat starts to pee inappropriately in your home it can be frustrating and stressful, for both the homeowner and the offending cat in question. Sadly, inappropriate urination is a common deal breaker for families. These cats often end up bouncing from home to home, left outdoors most of the time, or in animal shelters. When dealing with these types of situations, it is important to keep in mind that your cat is not performing these behaviours out of spite. Cats are remarkably complicated animals and understanding how the cat mind operates can make troubleshooting these problems easier.
In comparison to their canine counterparts, cats often get the reputation of being low maintenance because of their independent nature. This could not be any further from the truth. Cats are high maintenance and very particular creatures. They simply do not want you to know this about them. In fact, when a cat has a problem, they would prefer to keep this a secret. This can make understanding your cat’s behaviour more challenging, but hopefully after reading this blog post you will be better equipped to think like a cat. We will address three overarching questions to ask yourself when trying to resolve the undesirable behaviour of inappropriate urination.
1) Does my cat have an underlying medical problem?
There are numerous underlying medical problems that can contribute to a sudden onset of inappropriate urination in your cat. It is for this reason that consulting with your veterinarian should be your first step. At that time, your veterinarian will perform a thorough nose to tail physical examination of your cat and obtain a detailed medical history. Baseline testing will be discussed and decided upon at that time. This typically includes getting a urine sample for a urinalysis and bloodwork to evaluate organ function. Some of the more common medical issues that can cause inappropriate urination include:
– Cystitis (painful inflammation of the bladder)
– Partial or complete urinary obstruction*
– Bladder or kidney stones
– Urinary tract infection
– Diabetes
– Kidney disease
– Other conditions that cause excessive water consumption (most are ruled out with basic bloodwork)
– Arthritis
– Bladder tumors (less common)
* It is important to note that a complete urinary obstruction is a medical emergency, as it can be life threatening. If left untreated and insufficient urine is passed, the bladder can rupture within 24 hours. Typically, these cats will make frequent trips in and out of the litter box. They will often lick the genital region excessively and they may appear in distress.
Once a medical cause for the inappropriate urination has been ruled out with your veterinary team, you can safely and confidently move on to the next steps.
2) Is my cat experiencing litterbox dissatisfaction (aversion)?
As crazy as it may sound, you should think about making the litterbox experience as attractive as possible. This means guaranteeing a positive litterbox experience every single visit. Cats eliminate urine for two reasons: to fulfill an essential need and to mark their territory. By providing your cat with optimal litterbox conditions, you can increase the likelihood that all eliminations will occur in the litterbox. When conditions are less than ideal, alternative locations for urinating may be chosen in the household (for example: beds, sofas, laundry, suitcases, etc.). Please remember your cat is not doing this out of spite, but instead is giving you a sign that there is a problem.
– KEEP IT CLEAN. KEEP IT VERY CLEAN. I cannot emphasize this point enough; a dirty or smelly litter box is an unattractive litterbox. It is easy to get caught up in the comings and goings of everyday life and litterbox cleanliness can easily be forgotten. Even as veterinary professionals our litterbox hygiene can be inadequate during busy periods. Cats are especially sensitive to scents and the cleanliness of the litterbox is of the utmost importance to guarantee it is used. The litter box should be scooped 1-2 times daily, at a minimum, and the entire box itself should be washed with a mild detergent once weekly.
– SIZE MATTERS. When it comes to selecting a litterbox, bigger really is better. The litterbox should be big enough for your cat to stand in on all fours and turn around. Research tells us that most cats prefer an uncovered litter box over the covered options. However, some cats do prefer the covered varieties for additional privacy. It is important to take your cat’s age and mobility into consideration when selecting a litterbox. Kittens and older cats will be much happier with low sided boxes that are easier to get in and out of. For the messy kitties and the overly enthusiastic diggers/buriers out there, higher sided boxes are better suited for limiting litter scatter.
– LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION. Remember, your cat is royalty, and the chunk of real estate in your home devoted to the litterbox should reflect that. Cats crave privacy, quietness, and the ability to be discreet when using the litterbox. When choosing a location for the litterbox please consider accessibility, avoid high traffic areas and proximity to loud noises or potentially menacing housemates (other pets, small children or appliances). Essentially you want your litterbox placed away from anything that might startle your cat. Examples of poor litterbox locations include being tucked into a corner next to the dog’s bed or being adjacent to the dishwasher that suddenly makes a noise. All these common household items can be perceived as a threatening to your cat.
– QUANTITY. Cats are so “extra” that they do not just demand quality, but they also demand quantity. Not only do they want a meticulously clean, well situated litterbox, but they also want a few options. The cardinal rule for the number of litter boxes in the home is the number of cats plus one. Therefore, if you happen to have three cats in the home, you will ideally have 4 litterboxes. There are exceptions to this rule, as some cats are more “easy-going” than others. However, when there is an issue with inappropriate urination the addition of another litterbox can often resolve the issue entirely. This will ensure that each cat has sufficient space to mark their territory and there should be limited conflict over litterbox resources. If you reside in a home with multiple levels, it is recommended to have a litter box on each level as cats would rather not have to travel up and down the stairs to use the box.
– SUBSTRATE. Picking what to put in your litterbox is the final step on the road to litterbox happiness. Research tells us that most cats prefer a fine-grained, clumping, and unscented litter. The less dust, the better. The litter should be at least 2 inches deep so that the cat can dig and bury as much as he or she pleases. Scented litter is generally unnecessary when scooping and cleaning recommendations are followed. It can be tempting to keep air fresheners near litterboxes; however, this should be avoided as strong smells can easily offend a sensitive cat nose. If you are planning to change your cat’s litter type, avoid switching cold turkey. Keep both the old litter and the new litter options available to ensure that your cat accepts and will use the new litter.
3) Is my cat experiencing other behavioural issues related to stress?
Cats thrive on routine and predictability in their environments. This is what keeps them feeling safe and secure in their territories. In fewer words, cats really hate change. When their routine is disturbed, the stress they are experiencing can manifest as inappropriate urination. There are several things you can do ahead of time to help your cat prior to an expected stressor. The most important is to provide your cat with a “safe space” where they have all their resources (food, water, and litterbox) and the ability to hide. A television or radio with familiar sounds can be comforting, as well as clothing that contains your scent. If a new person is going to spend time with your cat, it is ideal to introduce them to each other slowly over time. For example, if you will be having a pet sitter take care of your cat it is nice to have the sitter comes over for visits ahead of time before your scheduled time away. Always be sure these interactions are done on the cat’s terms. Increasing the number of positive experiences during periods of stress can decrease the instances of inappropriate urination related to stress. In a nutshell, it is OK and favorable to spoil your cat with TLC when a situation arises that could be stressful. Options for spoiling your cat include increased playtime, offering treats when new person visits and increased grooming/brushing time.
Below is a list of day-to-day occurrences that your cat may consider to be a life stressor:
– Owner going away on vacation
– A new person moving into home
– New baby in home
– Temporary absence of primary caregiver
– Departure of a familiar person
– Death of a human or animal family member
– Guests in home/ holidays
– Moving furniture in home
– Moving to new home
– Renovations
– Construction outside home
– Change in schedule
– Change in seasons
– Thunderstorms
– Addition of new pets
– Bringing an outdoor cat indoors
In most cases a cat’s stress can be managed by addressing the issues described above. However, in severe cases, both short-term and long-term medications can be warranted. This is something that can certainly be discussed with your veterinarian when the basic management strategies, as described above, have been tried without success. Be sure to reach out to your veterinary team if you are experiencing issues with inappropriate urination. We are here to assist you and would be more than happy to help you navigate these (sometimes) complicated problems.