Is your cat having trouble urinating normally in the litter box?

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Concerning symptoms may include:

Straining to urinate, urinating out of the box, bloody urine, frequent trips in and out of the box, and excessively licking at private parts. These symptoms warrant a visit to the doctor asap.

When it's an emergency:

Go to your nearest Emergency clinic if you have a male cat straining to urinate. Male cats have narrow urethras and are susceptible to urinary blockages that can be fatal if left untreated right away!

Help! My Cat is urinating on my stuff!


 While this can seem like it is clearly a behavior problem, very often, the answer is that your cat is experiencing a urinary health problem. Urinating around the house or on your belongings can be their way of communicating with you that they are in pain or discomfort.

Follow the steps below to understand the clues your cat is leaving for you:


Exam & Urinalysis

Let's find out for sure whether your cat is urinating out of the box due to a health concern or it is a behavior issue. Testing the urine will help us figure out what to do next. Occasionally, we may need to do x-rays to see if there is a stone in the bladder.  

Results: UTI

This is actually good news! A urinary tract infection is easily treated and should resolve the problem altogether. Antibiotics targeted for this type of infection are given, along with medications to ease discomfort while your cat is recovering.

Results: Urinary Crystals or a Bladder Stone

Crystals or stones can develop in the bladder, making urination very painful, like they are urinating little sharp shards of "glass" (crystals). This can cause little cuts that are a perfect breeding ground for bacteria to take hold. Cats with crystals often also have a UTI. Depending on the severity, these conditions can be treated with a diet change, antibiotics, and medication to help your cat urinate comfortably while they heal.

Results: Behavior

This diagnosis is the trickiest one to treat. We will assess your cat's behavior and help you determine what might be causing your cat to feel the need to mark specific areas. Cats generally seem like the least stressed out creatures on Earth, but there may be issues that are subtle to you, but major to them. We have a few tricks up our sleeve to help resolve this type of issue.

Litter box tips

  • Hooded or open litter box?

    You may prefer a hooded box because it contains mess and smells, but your cat probably prefers an open box. A hooded box doesn't allow your cat to keep an eye out for trouble while they are in a vulnerable position. Try putting an uncovered box right next to the hooded box and see which your cat prefers.

  • What type of litter box is best?

    The litter box should be uncovered, and at least 1.5 times the length of your cat. Consider the height of the entry to the box when you have an arthritic or very young cat.  

  • Where should the litterbox go?

    Cats prefer a quiet, private spot away from the path of travel. Don't put the litter box near the food and water, or near noisy areas. Be aware that your older cat may be arthritic and they will not appreciate having to go up and down a flight of stairs to do their business. Creative locations can work well - try placing a box under the sink in a guest bathroom and either remove the cabinet door(s) (you can make it pretty by velcroing a piece of fabric across the open space to make a curtain or just leave the cabinet door(s) open). Placing a litter box in the guest bathtub is also a good option. 

  • How many boxes per cat?

    The general rule is to have at least 1 box per cat, in separate areas. This is to prevent "bully" cats from guarding access. Nobody wants litter boxes in every room, but sometimes it comes down to deciding which option is the least offensive. For example, do you want a litterbox in the living room or do you want cat urine on the living room floor? 

  • What type of litter should I get?

    Cats generally prefer clay litter (clumping or non) that isn't overly perfumed. You may prefer to try other types of litter for various reasons, and depending on your cat's temperament, that may be just fine. If you do want to change types of litter (pellets, silica, wood chips, etc.), please transition gently, adding more of the new litter to the old, gradually over a week or two. 

Cleaning & Prevention

  • How can I prevent urine from ruining my carpet and furniture?

    Scotchguard will help prevent any urine from soaking into your carpet, rugs, or furniture. You can buy this online, or in most household supply sections in stores. 

  • How often should I scoop?

    Ideally, you should sift clumps out of the box once or twice daily. Some cats are fussier than others, but generally, most cats prefer a tidy litter box. 

  • Do I need to wash or replace the box?

    If you see signs of wear or urine scalding on the plastic, it is time to replace the box. If the box just needs a good scrub, use hot water and dishsoap. Vinegar or a diluted bleach/water solution is also fine. Products that contain ammonia should NOT be used to clean litter boxes.  

  • How can I clean cat urine from carpet, furniture, and clothing?

    We highly recommend using a good enzyme bassed product. Our favorite is called Anti-Icky Poo and you can buy it online. It's best not to mix different cleaning products because they can cause reactions. Blot as much moisture from the material as you can, then douse it with Anti-Icky Poo spray. Leave it for 24 hours, then repeat as needed. If you are dealing with bath mats, throw rugs, or clothing, you can soak the items in a mix of Anti-Icky Poo and warm water overnight. Put the items in the wash and make sure they are clean before they go in the dryer. Once they go through the dryer, any stains will set. 

Recommended Products

Click the links below to purchase online. Spokane Cat Clinic doesn't receive any financial compensation when you purchase these items.
We want to ensure that you can trust our recommendations. These are just really great products we've come to rely on over many years.

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Anti-Icky Poo is the best enzyme based cleaner we have ever found. It works well on urine stains, as well as any other types of organic spills and messes.

Cat Attract cat litter is a low dust, hard clumping clay litter with slightly larger granules so it doesn't track as much. It has an additive to help bring cats back to using the box.

Feliway is a pheromone diffuser (also comes in a spray or individual wipe version) that eases anxiety so they are less likely to display signs of stress, like urinating out of the box.

Solliquin

Solliquin is part of a comprehensive treatment plan and, combined with training and patience, it may help prevent behavioral problems caused by anxiety.

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