Cats may seem calm and unbothered at first glance, but in reality, they’re very sensitive to changes in their territory. Whether it’s a new pet, a new human, neighbor pets in the yard, a loud noise, or the litter box changing location, it can stress out the kitty cat. As a result, your cat will feel too unsafe and vulnerable to use the litter box, especially with other pets or people around
Your feline should have a calm and quiet place to hide, rest, and yes, relieve themselves. Once your cat has a refuge, it will likely stop peeing elsewhere as a way to mark territory and relieve anxiety. This is especially true if the feline had no toilet problems in the past.
If you recently changed the type of litter you use (or even the brand), and your cat suddenly stopped using the litter box, switching back to the previous litter often helps. The same may be true for a new cat that was given to you “litter trained” but doesn’t seem to use the cat toilet at your home. In this case, contacting the previous owner of the cat and buying the kitty litter they use can solve your issue.
The issue could be with the cat toilet itself as well. Some cats prefer an open litter box, whereas others will only use a covered litter box. You’ll need to experiment and find out which works best for your cat. Whatever box you choose to buy, make sure that the box is big enough for the cat to comfortably stand in. A litter box that’s one-and-a-half times the length of the feline is a good general guide.
Finally, consider the location of the litter box. Ideally, you want to choose a spot that’s quiet and rarely busy. A hallway, bathroom, or quiet balcony all work well, generally speaking. If you live in a large, multi-storied home, also consider having a litter box on every floor.
We already mentioned this in passing, but let’s explain territorial marking in cats in greater detail. “Peeing outside the litter box happens more frequently in a household with multiple cats, particularly if one is a bully who prevents another cat from getting to the box,” said Dr. Cathy Lund, a feline vet in Providence, Rhode Island. The less dominant cat is trying to establish its territory by marking it with urine.
If you suspect that this is the issue, start by having one more litter box than cats. Each toilet should be placed in a different room.
When you’re trying to introduce a new cat in the home, and one of them is marking territory, this means that the cats are not ready to exist in the same space just yet. Most vets recommend keeping a new feline in a separate room for days or weeks, introducing the cat to the home gradually not to spook them and the other cats.
Needless to say, your male cat should also be neutered, otherwise, it will keep spraying your furniture as a part of his mating behavior, and there’s little you can do to stop it.
If your cat has always used the litter box appropriately but suddenly started urinating elsewhere, the first step is to call the vet. Cats are prone to urinary issues, and improper urination could be due to any number of medical conditions, such as:
Remember that urinary problems in cats can become very severe very fast, so don't delay the trip to the veterinarian. If your cat is struggling to urinate even though your cat is trying, the feline could have a complete or partial obstruction. This condition can be life-threatening.
H/T: PetMD, Best Life Online, The Spruce Pets
