Urinating outside of box (non-diabetic cat)

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KarenCosmo

Member Since 2012
Hi, all. I really could use some help

My 3yr old male cat (neutered) suddenly started peeing outside of the litter box.
I took him to the vet and there doesn’t seem to be a medical reason for it.

I’ve read what everyone writes about how to fix this but nothing has worked so far. So I’m hoping I can get some practical advice from people who have actually dealt with this issue.

It started about 6 weeks ago and he goes everywhere, not just in one place.
And it’s always just urine, never feces.

It seemed to coincide with some disruption in the house as we were preparing to move items out of the house. Plus, I’m not sure if this occurred before or after, but we sprinkled some odor control stuff in the litter box.

We have several litter boxes around the house and cleaned them out thoroughly in case the powder was the reason. I’ve even added a brand new box.
We clean out the litter boxes at least once a day, sometimes more often.

He has gone on tables, on the couch, on the bed, on dressers and desks, etc.
We clean completely when it happens with enzyme stuff and I think it works because he doesn’t often go in the same place.

He doesn’t seem to be a stressed cat (we actually always thought of him as rather laid back) but I got the Felaway diffusers and put them in two rooms.

I got him a calming collar the other day. And, we’ve been trying to not get upset when we find it but just clean it up and not punish him in order to keep his stress level down.

I thought the collar may have done the trick because we didn’t find any new urine in about 2 days.
But he just went on my husband’s work bag that was on the kitchen table!

I’m not sure what else to try.
We’ve been playing with him more and giving him good attention which he seems to love but I can’t seem to get him to stop.

We are a multi cat household but there have been no new additions in over a year. He tends to be a bit of a bully with a few of the other cats but that actually seems to have lessened since this has started.

Any suggestions? We’re getting desperate!
 
What did your vet check? I assume he checked for a uti. Have you caught him in the act? If you have, does he make any noises or faces that might indicate peeing is painful? if yes, could it be crystals in his urine? Have you checked his glucose? (Peeing around the house was how I found out my first cat was diabetic.)

If he hated the powder you added so much he would probably not use the box at all. Though sometimes it’s not good to change litter brands, that may help. I haven’t used it, but I’ve read here about Dr. Elseys Cat Attract litter. People, and their cats, seem to really like it.
 
Is he declawed?
My civvie (non-diabetic) will NOT use the litter box. He hasn't for about a decade.
He is declawed and the vet suspects nerve damage/pain. It hurts to walk on litter (clay or scoopable) so he avoids the box. I think sometimes he's just being a jerk. Lol I use medical chucks. I put them by the litter box and he's pretty good at using them. I buy them on eBay 300 (17"x24") for $32. He likes to pee on soft things. Floor mats, bath mats, clothes, furniture, cardboard, bags, and when he's sick- my bed.
I know the frustration.
Is he spraying or actually voiding his bladder completely.
Any new cats around the neighborhood that he might see from the windows?
It's such a hard thing to figure out since so many different things could trigger it.
 
They did a urinalysis and told me there was no infection. I didn’t ask about diabetes but they didn’t mention it either. Wouldn’t signs of that show up in the results?
The vet did say that his urine was a little concentrated and he should drink more. I tried giving him the food the vet recommended which was supposed to make him want to drink but he didn’t like it and wouldnt eat it so I have just been adding water to his normal food (canned Friskies pate) and making sure all the water dishes always have fresh clean water.

I never heard of that cat attract litter but at this point I’ll try pretty much anything. I’ll see if I can get some tomorrow and try it in one or two of the boxes.

He is not declawed and this behavior just suddenly started.
He does tend to pee on stuff like bags and papers, he even peed on a silicon oven mitt.
Most times it seems to be on my husbands stuff rather than mine but maybe he leaves more stuff out that the cat is attracted to.

He is definitely voiding his bladder completely rather than just spraying.

I did catch him a few times. That’s how I figured out it was him rather than one of the other cats.
I have picked him up and put him in the box and he would sometimes go in it but sometimes not. I don’t want him to think I’m punishing him by sticking him in there and deter him even more.

I haven’t noticed any new cats in the neighborhood but that doesn’t mean there aren’t.
 
Cat attract litter may help. Has he seen strays outside that he's marking territory? You may have to temporarily confine him to a room with a box until he is using the box again.

you could also try a litter with no scent.

My cat Julie was peeing in the kitchen and sons room several times a week. Two weeks ago we sprayed those areas with Angry Orange and she hasn't done it since. Knock on wood.


I had a cat who would only go on puppy training pads. (Would poop in a box) It was our compromise. I put the pads next to the box.

Favorite products : anti icky poo unscented. And new favorite Angry Orange concentrate can both be found on Amazon
 
I haven’t noticed any cats outside.

I’ve been spraying the soft items he’s been peein on with Natures Miracle.
He seems to have stopped going on the couch.
But if he goes on the comforter and I replace it with a clean one he’ll go on that one.

I looked up the Angry Orange and it looks like the same type of stuff as Natures Miracle - where you use it to clean places he’s already gone. Is that right?
Does it small like orange? I don’t really care for the smell the NM leaves behind.

I’ll pick up some pads today. If I can get him going on those it will at least be better than on my husband’s stuff.

My concern is that the other cats will start using that rather than the boxes.
 
KarenCosmo said:
I haven’t noticed any cats outside.

I’ve been spraying the soft items he’s been peein on with Natures Miracle.
He seems to have stopped going on the couch.
But if he goes on the comforter and I replace it with a clean one he’ll go on that one.

I looked up the Angry Orange and it looks like the same type of stuff as Natures Miracle - where you use it to clean places he’s already gone. Is that right?
Does it small like orange? I don’t really care for the smell the NM leaves behind.

I’ll pick up some pads today. If I can get him going on those it will at least be better than on my husband’s stuff.

My concern is that the other cats will start using that rather than the boxes.
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Angry Orange concentrate smells strongly like orange. The orange scent mostly goes away when it dries.

I don't like the smell of most cat cleaners either... many of them smell as bad as the mess. which is why I like anti icky poo unscented... Absolutely NO SCENT. AT ALL.


Did they test his kidneys?
 
I think they just a urinalysis. I didn’t see the test results but my vet just said he should be drinking more.

I don’t see that Angry Orange in available in a store so I’ll have to order it.

My husband just talked to a vet who recommended Cosequin. Says that as a side effect it will stop cats from urinating outside the box. I suppose it can’t hurt to try.
 
KarenCosmo said:
I think they just a urinalysis. I didn’t see the test results but my vet just said he should be drinking more.

I don’t see that Angry Orange in available in a store so I’ll have to order it.

My husband just talked to a vet who recommended Cosequin. Says that as a side effect it will stop cats from urinating outside the box. I suppose it can’t hurt to try.
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Read the reviews on angry orange. If you don't like the smell of orange it will be about much. I love the smell myself. Smells like orange lollipops. Lol
 
Got the Cat Attract litter and within minutes Frisco was in the box. He’s not the one with the problem.
But that got Henry (the one WITH the problem) interested and he was the second one in the box and he actually peed in it YAY!
But then, of course, everyone else checked out the box.

I hope he continues using it and it wasn’t just a matter of marking it the one time.
Got the Cosequin too so he’ll get a dose of that with dinner.

I’m ordering the Angry Orange so I’ll have that on hand just in case.

Thanks for the tips. Fingers crossed.
If you guys think of anything else, please let me know.
 
KarenCosmo said:
Got the Cat Attract litter and within minutes Frisco was in the box. He’s not the one with the problem.
But that got Henry (the one WITH the problem) interested and he was the second one in the box and he actually peed in it YAY!
But then, of course, everyone else checked out the box.

I hope he continues using it and it wasn’t just a matter of marking it the one time.
Got the Cosequin too so he’ll get a dose of that with dinner.

I’m ordering the Angry Orange so I’ll have that on hand just in case.

Thanks for the tips. Fingers crossed.
If you guys think of anything else, please let me know.
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did you buy the Dr. Easley cat attract litter at Pet Smart? Or an additive?
 
I got the litter at PetSmart. Not an additive.

Weird thing about PetSmart is that the website has different (better) prices than in the store. The litter was 18 in then store but 13 on the website. And, the Cosequin was 30 in the store but only 15 on the website. The cashier adjusted the prices for me but next time I will order on the website then just pick it up in the store.
 
Well, crud. He peed all over the kitchen counter sometime last night.

Tried giving him the Cosequin in his breakfast and he wouldn’t eat it. :(
 
KarenCosmo said:
Well, crud. He peed all over the kitchen counter sometime last night.

Tried giving him the Cosequin in his breakfast and he wouldn’t eat it. :(
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I've heard cosequine can help prevent uti, but I haven't heard it keeps them from going outside a box.
 
Our cat had a horrible habit of peeing and pooping. I read somewhere to get a litter box that is 1 1/2 times his length, from nose to base of tail. Well, they don't make litter boxes that large so we got an under the bed plastic tote and put it near where he sleeps. We didn't think he'd use it, but he did! The only time now he goes outside the box is if we have anything laying on the floor ie plastic, leaf, twisty tie.
 
Thanks for the link, that booklet was attached to the box of litter.
Restricting him to a room will be difficult. I hate to stick him in the bathroom all day but I have several other cats and if I restrict their area too much I may be asking for even more trouble.

He does mostly go on papers, plastic, and bags. WeRe going to have to do some serious cleaning and be sure not to leave things out.
There was just one paper on the counter and we went in it.
 
KarenCosmo said:
Thanks for the link, that booklet was attached to the box of litter.
Restricting him to a room will be difficult. I hate to stick him in the bathroom all day but I have several other cats and if I restrict their area too much I may be asking for even more trouble.

He does mostly go on papers, plastic, and bags. WeRe going to have to do some serious cleaning and be sure not to leave things out.
There was just one paper on the counter and we went in it.
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Does he get along well with the other cats or do they fight?
 
He’s a bit of a bully but he gets along fairly well with the boys. Not so much with the girls. He likes to chase them but they don’t like it
There’s not usually actual fighting but there sometimes is a bit of growling on the girls part.

I used to be able to open up the basement door (which practically doubles the space) when he has too much energy and that helped relations a bit but my brother just moved down there and he’s allergic so I can’t do that anymore.
 
He started before that so it wasn’t the initial reason but it’s possible it’s why we are having trouble correcting it
 
I think he's marking his territory as the Alpha male. There are two kinds of feliway. One is For stress and one for helping multiple cats get along. If his issue is getting along with others (and asserting dominance), perhaps the multi cat version is more suited to the situation. It's supposed to simulate the pheromones the mother cat gives off to a litter of kittens so they get along.

I have both kinds plugged in.
 
I wave had the Mulitcat one plugged in two rooms for a few weeks now - just after he started this behavior. It’s probably time to get more.

I used it in Jan and Feb when there was a bit of fighting going on but it didn’t seem to be helping.
 
KarenCosmo said:
I wave had the Mulitcat one plugged in two rooms for a few weeks now - just after he started this behavior. It’s probably time to get more.

I used it in Jan and Feb when there was a bit of fighting going on but it didn’t seem to be helping.
Click to expand...
It works better for some than others.
 
So, forget what I said about him peeing on the counter. He peed on the counter and IN THE TOASTER!
And, we were out for a few hours and in that time he peed on the kitchen garbage pail. I didn't know one cat could have so much pee in him.
 
KarenCosmo said:
So, forget what I said about him peeing on the counter. He peed on the counter and IN THE TOASTER!
And, we were out for a few hours and in that time he peed on the kitchen garbage pail. I didn't know one cat could have so much pee in him.
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Maybe it's time for a second opinion. Have you had blood work done lately
 
KarenCosmo said:
They did a urinalysis and told me there was no infection. I didn’t ask about diabetes but they didn’t mention it either. Wouldn’t signs of that show up in the results?
The vet did say that his urine was a little concentrated and he should drink more. I tried giving him the food the vet recommended which was supposed to make him want to drink but he didn’t like it and wouldnt eat it so I have just been adding water to his normal food (canned Friskies pate) and making sure all the water dishes always have fresh clean water.

I never heard of that cat attract litter but at this point I’ll try pretty much anything. I’ll see if I can get some tomorrow and try it in one or two of the boxes.

He is not declawed and this behavior just suddenly started.
He does tend to pee on stuff like bags and papers, he even peed on a silicon oven mitt.
Most times it seems to be on my husbands stuff rather than mine but maybe he leaves more stuff out that the cat is attracted to.

He is definitely voiding his bladder completely rather than just spraying.

I did catch him a few times. That’s how I figured out it was him rather than one of the other cats.
I have picked him up and put him in the box and he would sometimes go in it but sometimes not. I don’t want him to think I’m punishing him by sticking him in there and deter him even more.

I haven’t noticed any new cats in the neighborhood but that doesn’t mean there aren’t.
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Can you post a copy of his urinalysis? If you don't have one call the receptionist and ask him/her to email it to you.
 
It makes me wonder if he got hurt or scared by another cat while using the box and now has an aversion.
 
I'll have to try testing his blood. It's been so long since I've had to test anyone's blood that I'm not even sure where my meter is or if it works.
Of course I still have about 200 expired test strips which is of no help at all.

I'm not sure if the vet tested his blood. I know he did a urinalysis and the only thing they could tell me about that is that it was a little concentrated and he should drink more.
He told me that over the phone, I don't have the actual results.

I was surprised Henry went on the garbage because he likes sitting there. Unless maybe it smelled like the pee my husband cleaned off the counter maybe.

Not much scares Henry. He's a real cool customer. I've added a brand new litter box in a new location. I used the Cat Attract litter in it and he did go in there shortly after I put it down.

I did read in the Cat Attract booklet that for kittens, you should put them in the litter box after they eat. Henry is no longer a kitten but I'm gonna have to try that after next meal.

I may stick him in the bathroom tomorrow while at work or maybe overnight tonight, we'll see how it goes.
 
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KarenCosmo said:
I'll have to try testing his blood. It's been so long since I've had to test anyone's blood that I'm not even sure where my meter is or if it works.
Of course I still have about 200 expired test strips which is of no help at all.
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Instead of buying expensive test strips, it might be cheaper for you to buy urine test strips. (Diastix Reagent Strips for Urinalysis). That would let you know if there is a problem.
 
I just remembered that I gave one of my monitors away along with other supplies.

Just went to RiteAid but the pharmacy closed at 5. I’m gonna try someplace else. I’ll look for the urine strips there.
 
Call and ask them to email a copy of the urinalysis. I want to see his bun and creatnine level. I would also consider getting a blood panel too to check for some other kind of infection.
 
I will call the vet tomorrow and get the info from his tests.

I went to Walmart and they didn’t have the strips for the meter I had so I bought a Relion meter and strips for less than the strips I was trying to get. I didn’t see a control solution so didn’t even think about getting one.

Tested anyway and it came up as 52. Seems a bit low but he hasn’t eaten since this morning.
 
KarenCosmo said:
I will call the vet tomorrow and get the info from his tests.

I went to Walmart and they didn’t have the strips for the meter I had so I bought a Relion meter and strips for less than the strips I was trying to get. I didn’t see a control solution so didn’t even think about getting one.

Tested anyway and it came up as 52. Seems a bit low but he hasn’t eaten since this morning.
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That’s a fine number for a cat not on insulin. Ok so not diabetic. I am still concerned about an infection somewhere or a kidney thing going on.
 
Now that I have that, I see on the blood test that his RBC is a little high. According to PetMD, this could be polycythemia and if it's "relative" then it could be caused by dehydration. (The vet did say he should drink more).
And the symptoms of relative polycythemia are vomiting, diarrhea, lack of water intake, and excessive urination. He does have the second 2 symptoms, thank God he doesn't have the first two.
He doesn't have any of the symptoms of absolute polycythemia.
 
The last 2 days, I’ve confined him to the bathroom at night and while we’re at work.
He is peeing a small amount while in there.
But nowhere the amount that he does outside the box.

I let him out about 30 minutes ago and there were two small clumps in the box but I just caught him squatting on some papers that were on a table.
I picked him up and put him in front of one of the boxes but now he’s acting like he doesn’t need to go.
 
KarenCosmo said:
The last 2 days, I’ve confined him to the bathroom at night and while we’re at work.
He is peeing a small amount while in there.
But nowhere the amount that he does outside the box.

I let him out about 30 minutes ago and there were two small clumps in the box but I just caught him squatting on some papers that were on a table.
I picked him up and put him in front of one of the boxes but now he’s acting like he doesn’t need to go.
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When he's in the bathroom is he going in the box or somewhere else in the bathroom? Since he seems determined to pee ON things, will he pee on a puppy training pad?
 
The first day I put the brand new box that has tha Cat Attract litter in it.

It occurred to me that maybe he doesn’t like the new litter.
So the second day I put one of the old boxes with the old (clean) litter in there as well.

I haven’t tried the puppy pads yet. They all seem to have puppy pheromones so I was t sure if that would be a problem.
 
KarenCosmo said:
The first day I put the brand new box that has tha Cat Attract litter in it.

It occurred to me that maybe he doesn’t like the new litter.
So the second day I put one of the old boxes with the old (clean) litter in there as well.

I haven’t tried the puppy pads yet. They all seem to have puppy pheromones so I was t sure if that would be a problem.
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My cat Zimmy used puppy pads almost exclusively for for pee the last three years of his life. It saved my basement and sanity. It was our compromise so I didn't strangle him. He would still pee the basement bathroom mat if someone left the door open, but otherwise very few accidents.
 
I’ll pick some up tomorrow. Every second he’s out of the bathroom and not sleeping I feel like I need to watch him. It’s really stressful.
But I feel so bad locking him up. :(
 
KarenCosmo said:
I’ll pick some up tomorrow. Every second he’s out of the bathroom and not sleeping I feel like I need to watch him. It’s really stressful.
But I feel so bad locking him up. :(
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Any time you see him use the box, praise him and give a treat. I did that when Zimmy was younger, and after a few days any time we would be near the box he would run in it even if he didn't have to go, run out, then meow for a snack. He learned quick. Lol it was actually pretty cute.
 
That’s adorable!
I do praise him whenever I see him go in the box but I’ve found that sometimes he’ll just play around in there for a minute and I don’t want to reinforce that.
Not to mention that that behavior makes me nervous that there could be something else wrong even though at this point I’m 99% sure he’s being a tuchas.
 
I purchased some of the puppy pads today but am unsure how to introduce them.

He was closed in the bathroom again all night, I let him out when I got ready for work and played with him a bit. And put him back while at work. He did pee in the box while in there.

Let him out and he spent about an hour eating then going around the house rubbing on everything. I left him alone for a few minutes and he peed on something left on the kitchen counter. Luckily it was something that could just be thrown away and the counter is easy enough to clean.

Do I put the pad where he goes? That could be anywhere in the house!
Should it go near the litter box?

It’s as if he’s in the box and squats, but before he goes he decides to find someplace better and go there.
 
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