Inappropriate Urination by Cats

Inappropriate urination, or urinating in unacceptable places, can be one of the most frustrating feline behavioral problems that any cat owner may have to deal with. However, by understanding the reasons behind this behavior and by utilizing retraining techniques and/or medical therapy, most cases of inappropriate urination can be resolved.

There are two types of inappropriate urination: house soiling and urine spraying. Behavior associated with house soiling is similar to normal urination. The cat will rake the ground, squat, and then will release a normal puddle on a horizontal surface, usually on furnishings such as carpets, rugs or other soft materials. On the other hand, urine spraying is a territorial or sexual behavior that has nothing to do with the physiological need for urination. The spraying cat typically stands with its tail fully erect and squirts a small amount of urine against a vertical surface such as the wall or the front of a piece of furniture.

In all cases of inappropriate urination you should have the cat examined by your veterinarian as an underlying medical problem may be the cause of the urination problem. If this is the case, then the medical condition must be remedied before attempting other solutions. Cats with conditions leading to pain during urination will tend to avoid the litter box because they associate it with pain. The most commonly seen cause of painful urination is cystitis (inflammation of the bladder). For older cats suffering from arthritis, it can be painful to get into the litter box and to squat (for this particular situation a shallower litter box is recommended). Renal and endocrine disorders, like diabetes and hyperthyroidism, can lead to excessive water intake and increased urine formation, thus the cat may not be able to make it to the litter box in time.

In the vast majority of cases, inappropriate urination can be resolved if the primary cause can be found.

HOUSE SOILING

If no evidence of an underlying disease is found, then your cat may simply dislike something about the litter box itself. For example, it may take aversion to the location of the box. The litter box ideally should be placed in an easily accessible and quiet spot, a distance away from the feeding and playing area. It should also enable the cat to have a wide viewpoint so that it has the opportunity to see what's going on in the room (cats need to know that nothing is going to sneak up on them when they are in the vulnerable position of urinating).

Cats can often be put off by the texture or scent of the litter and most do not like a dirty and smelly litter box. You need to consider whether your cat's behavior started after a change in the brand of the litter. Experiment with different types of litter in order to check your cat's preference and take care not to overfill the box. It is also important to clean the box daily and wash it in a mild detergent at least once a week. You will need to rinse it well to ensure that all residual smells and remnants of detergent are removed. If you have more than one cat, make sure that each cat has its own litter box and it is a good idea to provide one extra box as a precaution against accidents or territorial disputes.

Regarding the type and size of the box, most cats prefer a large uncovered box that is easy to get into and out of.

Another important cause of house soiling may be related to anxiety or stress. Cats are creatures of habit and any disruption to the routine or change within the household can adversely affect them. Moving to a new house or remodeling or refurnishing your house, the arrival of a new child, competition between cats in a multi cat household and separation from the owner are just a few examples of changes that could lead your cat to start house soiling.

The treatment of choice for anxiety-related house soiling will usually consist of reducing and eliminating the stress where possible, and/or behavioral modification therapy. Evidence suggests that spraying the house with Feliway, a synthetic equivalent of feline facial pheromones, induces a feeling of well being and calmness in cats. This method has proved to be efficient in decreasing or eliminating inappropriate urination in 30% to 60% of cases.

Pharmacological therapy may have a number of potential side effects and thus should be reserved for severe cases that do not respond to behavior modification techniques or environmental strategies. Several drugs have been proven effective in the treatment of anxiety in cats. Clomicalm (clomipramine) is commonly used for separation anxiety in single cat households and BuSpar (buspirone) tends to be more effective in multi cat households.

URINE SPRAYING

If your cat is busy with urine marking or spraying, instead of finding puddles on the floor, you may see some remnants of urine on walls, doors, furniture or other objects. However, most noticeable will be the offending smell of your cat's 'perfume'.

You may find yourself asking why is it doing this? Leaving tiny but smelly messages is a means of communicating with other cats. Your cat is simply saying 'this is my territory' or 'hey, I'd like to offer my sexual services' or 'this item is mine'. Any cat can start to communicate this way, although tomcats are the biggest offenders. Queens, especially when in heat, are more likely to spray than spayed females and the chance of spraying in multi cat households is proportionally higher than in a single cat household, irrespective of gender. In households where there are 10 or more cats, there will be at least one cat and probably more that will start spraying.

Since urine marking is largely hormonally induced, neutering will eliminate this behavior in 80% to 95% of cases. However, don't expect instant results, as it may take up to two months before you start seeing any improvement. If your cat continues spraying after this period, then there may be another cause for the need to mark. For example, there may be a 'bully' cat in your neighborhood or other cats may be coming into your home through the cat flap. A new person or stranger in your house can also make your cat feel unsafe and insecure so it may feel the need to 'reinforce' its 'territory'. In multi cat households, competition and territorial disputes between resident cats are a common cause of spraying.

SOLUTIONS

If you haven't done so already get your cat neutered as soon as possible. Kittens can be neutered at any time from six months onwards. Many towns and cities have programs to assist owners who cannot afford the cost of spaying or neutering their cat.

Clean urine spots thoroughly. You can use white vinegar diluted with water (1:1) or commercially available enzymatic cleaners and odor neutralizers which are available in most pet stores and some grocery stores.

Provide each cat with their own litter box plus provide at least one extra for emergencies. Keep litter boxes clean! If they get overly full or smelly, your cats will not use them.

Try to identify the reason why your cat sprays. If for example a new person has moved into the house, have him or her feed your cat to establish a bond between them.

Play with your cat in areas where it tends to spray. This will cause it consider that spot as a fun place, so it may stop marking that area.

If your cat sprays in only one room prevent access to that room. If spraying occurs in one or two specific areas and it is not possible to keep the cat out of these areas, put a litter box or feeding bowls there. Most cats will not urinate near their food.

If there is conflict between your cats, you may need to isolate them, or at least the one which is spraying.

Spray Feliway in all areas where your cat marks after you have thoroughly cleaned the area.

Do not use household cleaning products containing ammonia for cleaning soiled patches - it could stimulate the marking behavior as urine also contains ammonia.

Do not punish the cat by dragging it to its litter box or sticking its nose in excrement and never hit it or kick it! In fact, doing this can make things much worse. Your cat will then associate punishment with you and may become timid and distrustful of you. You will make it feel unsafe in the house and this will consequently lead to even more spraying. If you catch your cat doing the deed, you can try to deter it by making a harsh noise or spraying water from a water pistol or plant mister, but in most cases this will not deter the cat from spraying in the future.

In conclusion, you should always keep in mind the fact that the act of inappropriate urination by your cat does not mean that it wants to upset you. There is always an underlying reason for its behavior that can be related to either physiological or psychological disturbances, or to a normal and natural behavior. If you are unable to resolve the problem, do not hesitate to seek advice from your veterinarian. Usually, your vet will examine urine samples for the presence of blood, sugar, crystals or signs of infection. Possibly, your vet will take some blood samples if there is any indication of renal or hormonal problems, or diabetes. If your cat is in good health, your vet will be able to discuss the most appropriate behavior modification therapy and prescribe any medication if needed.

Until next time,

Teia