Cat Behavior & Urination

Cat urination problems are a common complaint that cat owners have. Cats don't urinate outside the litter box out of spite, however. Often, inappropriate elimination indicates a health or psychological issue with the cat. Other times, it is simply a pattern of normal cat behavior.

  1. Types

    • Cats exhibit different kinds of urination behaviors. Aside from normal urination in a litterbox, some cats will spray urine on surfaces to mark their territory.

    Spraying

    • Owners can recognize spraying and differentiate it from normal urination by the cat's behavior. A spraying cat will back up to a surface and spray urine out horizontally instead of squatting and urinating downward.

    Medical Problems

    • There are many medical conditions that can affect a cat's urinary behavior. Feline lower urinary tract disease, diabetes, kidney disease and hyperthyroidism are all potential causes of inappropriate elimination.

    Psychological Issues

    • Some cats exhibit unusual urination patterns when under stress, such as when a new pet or person enters the household or when the family moves to a new home.

    Solutions

    • If your cat's urination behavior has become a problem, some solutions include having the cat checked for medical problems by a vet, reducing stress in the cat's life and changing the type of litter or litter box to avoid negative associations. Medications and behavioral aids such as hormone sprays are available.