Question for our cat owners!

[rearing_palomino164]

I have a one and half year old female cat and just recently she has started peeing outside of her litter box. She still does her "number 2's" in the box, but only that.We have caught her peeing in corners of the living room and today she peed on the floor of my bedroom in front of the litter box. She's never peed outside of her box before. We do have another female cat and a male in the house, and I'm wondering if she has been doing it out of spite of them marking her territory?

I find it odd she peed outside of her litter box in the bedroom, since, she is the only cat who is allowed in there and has never done in before there. Any suggestions on how to make her stop urinating outside of her litter box?

[Aednatia]

get her checked for a bladder infection! get more then one box! some cats are territorial to the point they won't use the same litter box as another cat.

[gemini_pony]

I second the vet trip she may have a uti. If that's not it more litter boxes.

[DartBurd]

Agreeing with the above and make sure the box is cleaned of "items". If there's more than three clumps in my kitties' boxes my uti proned male won't use them.

[gemini_pony]

Agreeing with the above and make sure the box is cleaned of "items". If there's more than three clumps in my kitties' boxes my uti proned male won't use them.

Once I let my boys box get too dirty he waited till I came home from work and peed on the ottoman, right in front of me X3

[Niksilp]

Definitely agreeing with everything that's been said so far. Take her to the vet to get checked out. Otherwise make sure there are multiple litter boxes available (rule of thumb is "number of cats + 1"), that the litter boxes are in areas easily accessible for the cat, and in areas where the cat feels safe (outside of high traffic areas and away from noise -- like washing machines, furnaces, etc.). Also make sure you're cleaning the boxes frequently. My male cat is extremely finicky about our litter boxes; I have to clean them at least once a day or he cries at me and inevitably pees outside the box.

Another thing to consider is whether there's been any new stress (new cat/animal, recent move, etc.) added to your cat's life. Stress will cause behavior changes like this in cats. Above all, though, I think taking her to the vet is the best course.

[SpookyTrees]

I agree with what everyone else has said. And for SURE on the extra litter boxes. I was having a similar issue with my cat and adding an extra litter box did the trick!

[kaoskat]

Like most everyone else, I agree that the first step should be a trip to the vet. Anytime pets start doing something that is unusual for them (even if completely normal for other pets) take them in to make sure something isn't physically wrong with them.

[StoryDreamer]

Get her checked for a UTI, yes.

[Majesty]

Is she fixed?  I know cats spray, not sure about females but males do to mark their territory.  I also read that if cats pee outside their litter box they may have a U.T.I. or the litter box may stink.  If the litter box isn't cleaned enough I also read they will avoid using the litter box.  Maybe a good idea to to empty out dirty litter in a garbage bag and wash it at least once a month.

[tymmorn]

I can tell you that female cats absolutely will mark territory.  We had a spayed female Manx who would mark doors, walls beside doors, and throw rugs.  She would also "spite pee" if the litterbox did not pass her personal inspection.  In addition to that lovely behavior, she ruined a loveseat that we got secondhand.  The previous owner had a toy poodle, and the cat did NOT approve at all.
And yet, we had her for about 14 years and she was a much loved family member.  She was very protective of my mother, and surprisingly protective of the pair of orphaned kittens I raised.  She probably thought her first name was "Dammit!" though. 

[rearing_palomino164]

Yep, she is fixed. I will def. make her a second vet trip. It's strange because a week and half ago we went in to get her updated rabies vaccine and she was given a clean bill of health. Unless uti's can show up that fast.

[ponyqueen]

When I brought my cat to the vet (a cat behavior specialist vet) for this problem he turned out completely healthy. I believe he was doing it because our pet sitter had brought her beagle PLUS another dog (aust. shepherd) over for the weekend when she was watching our pets! They chased, barked and generally harassed him until he lashed out by urinating AND defecating outside his box! (Needless to say she no longer sits for us).

Vet said get another box, and where to place it? Right next to the other box! He said many cats do not like covered boxes. His clinic sells a specially designed high-sided box (like $50), but it is essentially a rubbermaid tote with a lower entrance area cut out (like $6 plus scissors!). So far, no more "accidents", but of course those wild dogs are gone too.

(Disclaimer- I have two dogs, a husky and a greyhound, that my cat likes. They don't chase him.)

[Rhubarbpie]

My kitty can be fussy with her litter tray and this has been going on for a while....

It all stems from an incident which occurred about 6 years ago when my sister decided - in a drunken state and unbeknownst to me - to use my kitty's litter tray.  In the morning after a couple of strong coffee's and a loan of bus fare, my sister left and I began doing my usual Sunday chores.  I went into the bathroom where Honey's litter box was and found her mewling anxiously at me, clearly agitated and something in the litter box which in no way came out of my cat 

I changed the litter there and then, but she wouldn't use it and started using the bathroom rug as a 2nd toilet. I bought her a new litter tray.  It took 4 litter brand changes before we found one which suited her needs and my pocket.  I had to basically re-litter-train her.  She will NOT use her box if it smells strongly of bleach so I empty and clean with boiling water once per week to sterilize it.  Any solids are removed as soon as they appear.  Even then, if she is disgruntled in any way, she will spite poop...

My cat has issues   

[Honey Bunches]

Have her checked for a bladder infection or bladder stones!!!

We had to put down our spunky Bailey cat last summer due to this problem (granted, she was a few years older).

It's worth not assuming that it's simply behavioral (as we did) - if it's infection or stones caught early, much can be done simply and rather affordably. If the vet checks and there is no infection or the like, then you know that no internal damage is being done and can more forward with behavioral care (litter box, noise, etc.)