Question
My cat is urinating all over the house.Is this territorial? What can be done about it?
Answer
If you’ve not done so already, have him thoroughly examined by your veterinarian to make sure he has no underlying problems causing him to urinate excessively. Many diseases or infections will cause excessive urination. If there are no medical problems, then the urination is likely a behavioral problem.
Your cat may be marking his territory, or he may have some problem with the litterbox you’re using: the type, amount, or cleanliness of the litter; the location of the box, etc. Sudden changes or stress such as introducing a new cat or dog to the household, moving, or the addition of a new family member can cause a cat to stop using his litterbox, as well. If your cat is not neutered, then it is highly recommend that that be done.
How many litterboxes do you have? What kind of litter are you using? The litterbox should be cleaned at least once daily. If you’ve recently changed litter brands, change back! Cats can be very particular about the kind of litter they use. If you haven’t changed litter, try adding another box with a completely different type of litter in it.
Most cats prefer scoopable (clumping), unscented litter in uncovered boxes. Stay away from litters with lots of fragrance. As an experiment, try putting three (at least) litterboxes in your house. Place them right at or near the exact spots where he’s urinating inappropriately, and scoop all boxes daily. This is just one example of things you can try.
If your cat is still urinating outside the box, consult with your veterinarian or a pet behaviorist. Another option is medical therapy. Discuss medications with your veterinarian. You may need to give your cat a pill once a day or once a week, depending on the medication. Some of the medications have side effects and some don’t work very well. It really depends on the cat, and it may take some experimentation to solve the problem.
Litterbox problems can be very difficult to correct, especially if they have been going on for awhile. In most cases, however, they CAN be solved, so don’t give up too easily!