This five second TikTok video provides a short, sharp lesson to cat owners who are concerned that their cat is ill because they are peeing outside the litter box. The first thing to do is not to go to a vet. Not yet anyway. It may be necessary after an initial investigation but don’t jump in and see an expensive vet as the first step.
The most likely cause of inappropriate urination – peeing outside the litter tray – is anxiety. The second most likely reason in my opinion is cystitis which is also caused by anxiety! Lesson? Check out the arrangements for your cat inside the home and see is there is something causing stress.
It isn’t that hard because the most likely reason for feline stress is either:
- Separation anxiety – being alone all day or for long periods and/or:
- Intimidation by other cats or another cat in a multi-cat home.
- Both these can result in the cat feeling the need to mark territory to feel better whch usually entails urine spraying and sometimes marking with feces.
Tick off those two causes first and see where it goes after that. If a cat caregiver has one cat and is away from their home all day at work and feeds their cat dry cat food for convenience or because they have to as they are away all the time; the cause is probably separation anxiety. The cure? Change the human arrangements. Work from home for part of the week if that is permissable. Lots of work places allow it these days.
As for cystitis, the signs are particular: small drops of urine sometimes bloody around the home, in corners or in the bath. This is a bladder bacterial infection which can cause bleeding. The cure:
- No more dry cat food
- High quality wet food only
- A change to the caregiver’s attendance at home. They’ll have to be around more. It can mean quite a bit change to their lifestyle which was probably unforeseen. It is an issue which has been discussed a lot on the internet: leaving cats alone in the home all day. It does not work well. It is wrong I’d argue. The issue goes to the heart of cat caregiving. And adoption: working out if you have an appropriate lifestyle suited to caring for a cat companion. It demands tough questions and realistic answers.
- A vet visit may be needed for a prescription of antibiotics to kill the bacterial infection.
Beyond the above, the matter will be more serious but I’d expect the above mentioned causes to account for around 80% of the reasons why cats don’t pee in the litter tray. The remaining 20% might be the following.
Other reasons:
- Litter tray is dirty and not cleaned daily
- Litter tray is in the ‘wrong’ place. Find a place which is quieter and out of the way
- The litter substrate is the wrong kind for this cat
- Another cat is protecting resources meaning stopping another cat from using the tray (multi-cat home)
These are all the basic reasons for what is euphemistically called ‘inappropriate elimination‘. It is an ironic description as from the perspective of the cat it is entirely appropriate. 🤣💕
Stress generally – signs
Signs of stress in a domestic cat can manifest in both behavioral and physical changes. A stressed cat might become more withdrawn, hiding more often or avoiding interaction, even with familiar people. Their usual behavior patterns may change, such as an increase in aggression, where a normally friendly cat might start hissing, growling, or swatting. They might also show signs of anxiety by pacing, excessive grooming (which can lead to bald patches), or compulsive scratching. Stress can also affect a cat’s eating habits; they might eat less or more than usual, or stop eating altogether.
Additionally, stress can cause litter box issues, where a cat might start urinating or defecating outside of the litter box, even if they’ve always been consistent. Physically, stress can lead to dilated pupils, excessive shedding, or a generally unkempt appearance due to lack of grooming. In severe cases, a stressed cat might develop gastrointestinal issues, such as vomiting or diarrhea, and could also experience a weakened immune system, making them more susceptible to illness. Understanding these signs is important for identifying stress early and addressing the underlying causes to help your cat feel safe and comfortable again.
