5 Reasons Why Your Cat Pees Outside the Box

Has your cat started peeing outside of their litter box? Here are 5 reasons why this might be happening.

1. Medical Issues
   Changes in health can cause a change in behaviour. Examples of some health concerns that could be causing your cat to pee outside of the litterbox are: a UTI, kidney disease, bladder stones or thyroid issues.  An elderly cat experiencing mobility issues and pain from such things like arthritis might have a harder time getting in and out of a litter box.
2. Dirty Litter Box
   I don’t blame them for this one! Cats like to be clean, so a dirty litter box is out of the question. A litter box that is not cleaned regularly, especially in a household with more than one cat, can be off-putting.  Litter boxes need to be cleaned daily (or multiple times a day) and get a deep clean once a week.
3. Anxiety and Stress
   Your cat may be trying to tell you something if they are peeing outside of the box. They are such sensitive creatures that changes, though however small, can affect their stress level.  Perhaps they are unhappy with another animal in the house, so they are marking their territory. Or maybe there is a new person around that they aren’t used to.
4. Type of Litter
   There are a variety of litter options to choose from when you go to a pet store. You might have to try a few different kinds before you find one your cat likes.
5. Old Urine Smell
   Cats are territorial creatures and like to mark their domain. They are also more likely to go to the bathroom in a place that smells of urine. Cat urine odor can be extremely hard to eliminate. If they or another cat has gone pee in one spot before, chances are they will again.