My Cat Is Peeing Outside The Litter Box

If you’ve found yourself exclaiming, “My cat is peeing outside the litter box!” — you're not alone.

While it can be frustrating, this behaviour is your cat's way of communicating that something isn’t quite right. The key is to figure out what they’re trying to tell you.

In this blog post, we’ll go through the most common reasons cats stop using their litter box, and what you can do to fix it.

1. Rule Out Medical Issues First

Before assuming it's behavioural, always start with a vet check. Urinary tract infections (UTIs), bladder stones, and kidney disease can cause pain when urinating — leading your cat to associate the litter box with discomfort.

📌 Pro Tip: If your cat is straining, crying, or producing little to no urine, it’s a medical emergency — especially in male cats.

2. Litter Box Setup Matters

Cats are particular about their bathroom habits. A small change in the environment can lead to a big behavioural shift. Check the following:

• Cleanliness: Boxes should be scooped daily and cleaned weekly.

• Location: Quiet, low-traffic areas are ideal — avoid putting litter boxes near food or noisy appliances.

• Number of boxes: The golden rule is one box per cat, plus one extra.

• Type of litter: Some cats dislike scented litters or those with large granules.

• Covered vs uncovered: While some cats prefer privacy, others feel trapped — try both and see what your cat prefers.

3. Stress & Anxiety

Cats are creatures of habit. Changes in the home — new pets, visitors, a move, or even loud renovations — can cause anxiety that leads to accidents.

Try:

• Pheromone diffusers (like Feliway)

• Providing hiding spots and vertical space

• Establishing a predictable routine

4. Marking vs Peeing

Is your cat spraying vertically on walls or furniture? That’s likely territorial marking, not a litter box issue. It’s more common in:

• Un neutered males or females

• Multi-cat households

• Times of stress or change

📌 Solution: Desexing, reducing environmental stress, and using enzymatic cleaners to remove scent traces.

How to Clean Cat Urine Properly

Cats will return to spots they’ve marked if they can still smell it. Use enzyme-based cleaners (not regular household cleaners like bleach or vinegar) to completely remove the smell.

When All Else Fails: It’s Time to Retrain Behaviour

If you’ve ruled out medical issues, adjusted the litter box setup, and addressed possible stress triggers — and your cat is still urinating outside the litter box — it may be time to retrain their behaviour from the ground up.

This involves temporarily limiting your cat’s access to the rest of the home and re-establishing good litter box habits in a controlled environment.

🛑 Here’s how to do it:

• Choose a small, easy-to-clean room like a bathroom, laundry, or tiled ensuite. Avoid carpeted areas, as accidents are harder to clean and may reinforce bad habits.

• Equip the space with everything your cat needs:

  • A clean litter box (or two if it's a larger cat or you're unsure of preference)

  • Food and water (placed far away from the litter area)

  • A cozy bed or blanket

  • A few toys and a scratching post

• Keep your cat in this space 24/7 for at least 7–10 days, monitoring for consistent litter box use. If they’re successful, you can slowly begin reintroducing them to the rest of the house, one room at a time.

• If they have an accident after being given more space, return them to the confined area and repeat the process. It’s not punishment — it’s positive habit-building.

  
  

💡 Why it works: This method removes distractions and reintroduces the litter box as the only appropriate place to go. It resets their routine in a calm, controlled environment.

Please Stick With It — You Can Fix This

Undesirable litter box behaviour, whether it’s urination or defecation outside the box, can feel overwhelming — but with the right approach, it can be corrected.

The strategies outlined in this guide are just as applicable to inappropriate defecation. Whether your cat is peeing or pooping outside the litter box, the same principles apply:

• Rule out medical issues

• Ensure an ideal litter box setup

• Address stressors and environmental changes

• Retrain behaviour in a confined space if needed

  
  

With consistency, patience, and compassion, most cats can relearn appropriate litter habits. You’re not alone, and there is a path forward — don’t give up.

If you’re struggling, feel free to reach out — I'm always happy to support responsible owners doing their best for their feline companions.