Why is my cat breaking training and peeing outside the litter box?

Question

I have and inside/outside female cat who is about three years old who has suddenly started to break training. She has been fixed for about two and a half months. I left for a two week trip and left Tink in the care of my husband. When I arrived she seemed happy to see me and didn't even play offended kitty. Then she peed in my suit case! And that got her into trouble with my husband. He's not a cat person. I thought it was just a form of kitty retaliation... Until she did it again this morning just before I let her outside. I don't know what to think... she did not pee in the same place... she poops in the litter box... it's almost like she is marking her territory... but I didn't think female cats did that. Any suggestions as to why she is doing this and how to stop her (my husband will kick her out if she does not stop) PLEASE HELP! I love my Tink and don't want to loose her!

Answer 1

Cats eliminate outside their box for different reasons. First and foremost you should take her to the vet for a thorough checkup to rule out anything phsically wrong with her. Make sure the vet checks her urine to rule out a bladder or kidney infection.

She could be protesting a new or change in litter brand or placement of her littler box itself. Did your husband buy a different brand of litter in your absence? Or did he not clean the box as often as she was used to? Cats are very particular with their litter boxes!

Be sure to clean any "accidents" with a good enzyme cleaner such as Natures Miracle (there are several different brands available, all work about the same).

Male and female cats mark their territory, but marking is usually done by spraying. Cats stand to spray and sit or squat to pee. If she is sitting and peeing, she isn't marking her territory.

My friend recently had her 13 year old cat beging peeing outside the litter box for no apparent reason. I recommended she try a product called Feliway, which is expensive but worth a shot if your husband is threatening to kick her out. It's a plug in diffuser, much like a room freshner you plug into an outlet. She bought this and her kitty hasn't had a single accident since! You can buy this at any of the pet stores or can order it from an online catalog.

Cats usually will have litter box problems when they are very stressed out or sense stress in the house. Maybe she was very nervous with you gone and knew your husband didn't like caring for her. Either way, a good vet check and trying something like the feliway is a good course of action to try. I use the Feliway in my house to calm my one nervous cat, and the difference in her is absolutely night and day! I'm completely sold on this stuff.

Best of luck to you and your cat.  

Answer 2

Also consider the possibility that she may have a urinary tract infection.  You may want to take her to the vet - simple antibiotics may be the answer!

Answer 3

Hi Lotte,

When a cat begins to eliminate outside of the box, there are several reasons for the behavior. Cats do not relatiate in this manner, as many people think. It is an urban legend. But your cat is telling you something that needs immediate attention!

Stress is one of the major reasons for cats to begin this behavior, or an underyling medical condition which needs to be checked by a vet. Cats do mark territories by peeing on things, but most marking behaviors are generally performed by spraying. Spraying is a vertical release of urine, while horizontal peeing often is caused by a different reason.

She may not like the litter you are using, or the placement of the box. Have you moved the box or changed brands lately?

I am not a vet, but I lean toward anxiety, or a urinary tract infection which is coincidental to your return from your trip.

Do have her checked and get a urine test and blood test to make sure she has not developed any bladder stones or has an infection. Once that is ruled out, then consider behavioral problems. Is she standing or squatting? Talk to your vet about this, as there are medications which can help, not only if an infection, but if it is behavioral.

Additionally, you will have to clean all areas totally, using a product which contains an enzyme that breaks up the odor. Urine Off is an excellent product and does the job well.

For more information about inappropriate elimination visit:

http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?...

Good luck with your kitty. I know how frustrating it is, having been through this with my cat recently. It turned out to be both behavioral and medical. Cat is doing great now, with no more problems.

Troublesniffer

Owned by cats for over 40 years

Former breeder of Oriental Shorthairs and Siamese

Freelance writer and blogger for http://www.petside.com/

Answer 4

Possible two problems here; first did your husband clean out the litter box often enough and was the litter the same as she was used too? And, she is letting you know how unhappy she was that you left her, especially with him!

Our daughters cat would pee on a guests clothing when it was on the spare bed where she normally slept!  It was in her spot.

Answer 5

My cat does the same thing, she'll pop on the side of her litter box and idk why. I'd really like to know why =[

Answer 6

Your cat seems to be trying to protect herself from your spouse. Cats are very sensitive to changes in attitude and behavior. While he may not be physically abusing her, she appears to be very frightened.

She could also have a urinary tract infection which is causing not only pain, but an uncontrollable urge to urinate. A visit to the vet's should be arranged.