Free Cat Litter Box Troubleshooting Checklist | Cat Peeing Outside the Box
Is Your Cat Peeing Outside the Litter Box?
It’s frustrating, confusing and often hard to know where to start.
Cats can pee outside the litter tray for lots of reasons, including medical problems, litter preferences, stress, territory or tension with other cats.
This free Cat Litter Box Troubleshooting Checklist helps you work through the clues, spot patterns and gather useful information before speaking with your vet.
Cat LitterBox
Checklist
Track the clues behind peeing outside the box
What the checklist helps you track
When this happens, it can feel like there are a hundred possible reasons.
The checklist gives you one simple place to record the things that may matter most, including:
plus more....
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Who Created This Guide:
Created by Dr Leigh Davidson BVSc, BApplSc
Dr Leigh Davidson is the founder of Your Vet Online and has more than 25 years of veterinary experience across general practice, emergency care and veterinary telehealth.
After years of helping cat owners work through frustrating litter box problems, Dr Leigh would like to help more of you understand why cats pee outside the box and how to start solving it. This checklist is designed to help cat owners organise useful information before speaking with their veterinarian.
It does not replace a veterinary examination or diagnosis.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my cat suddenly peeing outside the litter box?
A sudden change can be caused by urinary pain, bladder disease, stress, changes in the household, litter tray problems or other medical conditions. New House soiling should not automatically be assumed to be behavioural.
What is the difference between spraying and urinating?
A cat urinating usually squats and produces a larger puddle on a horizontal surface. A spraying cat often stands, raises the tail and deposits a smaller amount of urine on a vertical surface.
Can stress cause a cat to pee outside the litter box?
Yes. Social conflict, outside cats, visitors, moving house, routine changes and competition for resources can all contribute.
How many litter trays should I have?
A useful starting point is one litter tray per cat, plus one extra, placed in separate locations rather than grouped together.
Why is my cat peeing on the bed or bathmat?
Soft surfaces can become preferred toileting locations for some cats, particularly if the litter tray is uncomfortable, painful to use or associated with a negative experience.
When should I take my cat to the vet?
Arrange a veterinary assessment if the problem is new, persistent or recurring, particularly if your cat is drinking more, urinating more often, losing weight, seems painful or has blood in the urine.
Can medication help with spraying or inappropriate urination?
Sometimes. If medical causes have been addressed and environmental changes are not enough, behavioural medication may be worth discussing with your veterinarian.
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