My cat pee's outside of the litter box why?!?!?

[Disneylover79]

Please help me try to figure out why she does this!!! A part of me says she needs to go to the vet to make sure she doesn't have a UTI. Is there any other reasons why??? Also when she did it (I caught her in the act) I rubbed her face in it and now he head smells like pee, I don't have any pet shampoo what can I do just to wash her head? Please help me I love my little girl and I don't want her to be in pain. THANKS

 

[simba928]

First, don't rub her head in it. That does nothing other than make her want to hide from you when she does it so instead of starting to use her litterbox, she'll go behind the couch or under the bed or somewhere that you can't get her. That is, obviously, NOT what you want her to do.

How often are you cleaning her litterbox? Some cats will not go in their litterbox unless it is spotless so if you aren't cleaning it everyday, you may want to try that.

What are you using to clean the spots where she goes? Make sure you use a good enzyme killing cleaner. Nature's Miracle and Simple Solution are good ones.

Is there a pattern to where she goes? For example, one of my cats will urinate on loose pieces of fabric. If you leave the bath mat down, she'll pee on it. If you drop laundry on the way to the washer, she'll pee on it. If a pillow case falls off the shelf, she'll pee on it. There's nothing wrong with her, I had the vet check her out. I avoid it by making sure the bath mat is picked up, I don't drop any pieces of clothing, and all the pillow cases/sheets/towels are put away so that they don't fall. If she's going in a certain spot, you may need to make sure you are using a good cleaner or try moving a piece of furniture over the spot so she can't get to it.

The vet is a good place to start though. No sense in punishing her for something she can't control if it is an infection. Plus, the earlier things like that are caught, the easier they are to treat (not to mention slightly less expensive).

Also, is she spayed? If not, getting that done may help. We were dumb with our first cat, thinking she's an indoor cat and the only cat so why waste money getting her spayed. When she was around 6 or 7 she started occassionally peeing outside of her litterbox. Someone finally told us that getting her spayed might help that so when she was about 8 we got her spayed and she never had another incident outside of her box.

If the vet says there's nothing wrong with her, try a calming collar. A lot of people I work with use them on their cats and swear by them.

As far as the washing, you can use just plain, original Dawn dish soap. Don't get the fancy scents or anything with bleach. Make sure it is the ORIGINAL Dawn.

 

[Planogirl]

I had a cat that missed the box a lot. I thought he was going outside the box but I watched him and he actually just plain missed the box. Could that be what she's doing? You could get her an enclosed litterbox if that's the case. It worked for us.

If she's just going outside the box, you might want to pick up a piece of linoleum or some other type of flooring to put under and around the box. It'll help protect your floor while you sort this out.

 

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

She is probably just doing it to show contempt for you not giving her enough kitty toys.


(I think the enclosed litter box will solve your problems!)

 

[tvguy]

My cat will go "by" the box instead of in it if it is dirty.

I do find a few gifts outside the box from time to time, but after careful observation, the issue there is she trys to dig her way to China, and kicks nuggets out in the process.

 

[pennymom]

We have a cat that does the same thing, the vet said she was fine, and we have mostly solved the problem. First, we added a litterbox that is more like a plastic storage tote with a round hole in the top, so no matter how often the cats try to "dig to China" as another PP said, the litter stays in the box. The second box is a regular lidded litterbox with an opening in the side, and we keep a puppy training pad/hospital pad (without any scent) under the entrance for when the cat doesn't remember how long she is and leaves her rear end out of the box while going.

 

[Hannathy]

I had a cat that missed the box a lot. I thought he was going outside the box but I watched him and he actually just plain missed the box. Could that be what she's doing? You could get her an enclosed litterbox if that's the case. It worked for us.

If she's just going outside the box, you might want to pick up a piece of linoleum or some other type of flooring to put under and around the box. It'll help protect your floor while you sort this out.

Yeah mine does this to! he is in the box but it still sprays out of the box.

Make sure it is clean and if it keeps up or if you catch them in the tub going then get them to the vet.


And don't rub their nose in it, that is an old wives tale and does nothing more than annoy the cat and make it smell bad. Then it will clean itself like crazy and get a furball and hack it up on your carpet getting even with you !

 

[LisaNJ25]

One of mine just peed under the christmas tree I have 3 so have no idea which one. Good luck op.. if she continues I would try the vet also.

 

[Luv Bunnies]

I don't have cats, but my rabbits are all litterbox trained. Last year I noticed that my two littlest ones were going right next to the litterbox in their cage instead of in it. It was driving me nuts because they would step in it before I could wipe it up. I finally figured out they were being good boys and sitting in the box while they went, they were just sitting up too high and it was going over the edge. I ended up getting a high-back litterbox that is also higher on the sides. Immediately after putting it in their cage, everything started ending up in the box. Turned out they just needed a box with higher sides (and I thought they were being naughty!).

I've seen the enclosed boxes for cats. Perhaps your cat would do better with one of those.

 

[hambirg]

Please don't rub her face in it. . .that does nothing but confuse the cat. My guess is that the litter box is too small or she/he found it to be too dirty. Cats can be very particular. It's why I always have indoor/outdoor cats. They prefer to go outside in a new spot every time, but if you are confining them to indoors and only one box every time. . .it better be spotless. . .because it is not what they would naturally do. Clean the box! Get a bigger one and then see. Otherwise train her to go outside. It is not fair to punish her for your shortfalls.

 

[Dax]

My cat is an elevator pee-er. He basically doesnt squat 50% of the time...drives me nuts

 

[RNMOM]

We have 3 and our only female, spayed, has been peeing outside the one box. We have 2 large boxes. The most popular is a deep one with no top. She has been going just at the opening. We have tried everything then my son had the idea to move the box to that exact spot and she has been using it. Hmmm. We also have tried all kinds of protecting things under the boxes and finally I remembered this very heavy clear vinyl I bought years ago at the fabric store. It is 20 gauge and flexible, like used to cover restaurant tables but clear. We got two yards and trimmed it to fit nearly the whole laundry room and you can't even tell it's there. It makes it easier to vacuum the scattered litter and clean up is much easier.

We have also been using piddle pads in front of the box before moving it. They helped a lot too.

 

[Agri]

Please don't rub her face in it. . .that does nothing but confuse the cat. My guess is that the litter box is too small or she/he found it to be too dirty. Cats can be very particular. It's why I always have indoor/outdoor cats. They prefer to go outside in a new spot every time, but if you are confining them to indoors and only one box every time. . .it better be spotless. . .because it is not what they would naturally do. Clean the box! Get a bigger one and then see. Otherwise train her to go outside. It is not fair to punish her for your shortfalls.

But...people need to think twice before letting their cats out. Both of my neighbors on either side of me let their pets out and neither of them make sure their cats are up to date on their shots. Another neighbor lets his terrier out all the time and that dog antagonizes the cats. Also, we're about two houses down from a main street in our city where everyone speeds - and continues to do so as they turn down our street. I feel it would be irresponsible for me to let my cats outside in a situation like this.

OP, stop rubbing your cat's face in stuff. They don't understand it and even if they did, it would likely have the opposite effect - who wants to have their shortcomings rubbed in their face? As for the pee smell on the head - you'll need some wipes for that. They make bathing wipes for cats and that is what you need. With a regular bath, you'll end up getting water in your cat's ears which is bad for multiple reasons.

Get your cat two large enclosed litterboxes and nice clumping litter and scoop both boxes at least twice daily. And yes - take her to the vet - the most common sign of a UTI is going outside the box.

Next time - google "why is my cat going outside the box" before you get excrement all over her poor face.

 

[hambirg]

But...people need to think twice before letting their cats out. Both of my neighbors on either side of me let their pets out and neither of them make sure their cats are up to date on their shots. Another neighbor lets his terrier out all the time and that dog antagonizes the cats. Also, we're about two houses down from a main street in our city where everyone speeds - and continues to do so as they turn down our street. I feel it would be irresponsible for me to let my cats outside in a situation like this.

OP, stop rubbing your cat's face in stuff. They don't understand it and even if they did, it would likely have the opposite effect - who wants to have their shortcomings rubbed in their face? As for the pee smell on the head - you'll need some wipes for that. They make bathing wipes for cats and that is what you need. With a regular bath, you'll end up getting water in your cat's ears which is bad for multiple reasons.

Get your cat two large enclosed litterboxes and nice clumping litter and scoop both boxes at least twice daily. And yes - take her to the vet - the most common sign of a UTI is going outside the box.

Next time - google "why is my cat going outside the box" before you get excrement all over her poor face.

I understand what you are saying. And I know my "opinion" isn't the popular one right now. But I grew up with cats. . my mom bred Siamese cats. I would never advocate not keeping your cats current on their vaccines. It is just my opinion that it is unnatural to keep cats only indoors. I understand if you live in NYC. . but you should also understand that it goes against a cat's feline nature. We also live by a very busy street. . .my cat would never go out there. They are not dumb animals and if they have been given the chance to go out when they are young. . they learn and will understand. . .they are very instinctual. Our cat pretty much hangs out on the front porch and the back deck. When I call her. . .she comes. When I open the front door I'm not in fear of her running out. . .where she may not know how to defend herself. I fully understand that that is my philosophy. I'm the same with my kids. . I don't shelter them. I want them to be prepared if the situation arises. Soooo. . .I understand what you are saying about your neighbors. . .irresponsible pet owners get no sympathy from me. I just trust my cat to be able to go outside. . where she LOVES to be. . especially in the summer when it is hot. I don't have to worry about her. . .she holds her own.

ETA- I totally agree. . .quit rubbing the cat's face in it! It does nothing! You will either just confuse her. . .teach her you can't be trusted. . .or piss her off!

 

[avgeek81]

my one cat had bladder stones and was peeing everywhere. she couldnt hold it we had a litter box in every room. after surgery she never peed outside the box again.
My other cat was pooping outside the box the vet said to get one of those under bed storage containers because he may not have enough room

 

[bicker]

It could be something more subtle... just a behavior that is a reflection of the cat's reaction to something going on in the home, or just within their own body. I have an extreme example (14 year old cat with dysplasic hips and Parkinson's disease; dealing with two kittens in the house), but even less significant things could prompt a cat to let some displeasure show in that way.

 

[LuvOrlando]

My 18 year old cat does this all the time, it's like he sits in the litter-box but leans out off the edge like a potty. I have zero idea why Cats are full of weird little behaviors so I don't often question the whys. In my case it it manageable because the litter box sits in the tub so when he misses all I have to do is lift the box and rinse the tub.

 

[DisneyFan32WI]

Try a different TYPE of litter.
EX: if you are using Tidy Cat, switch to Fresh Step.