Inappropriate Urination

Dear Dr. Jody:  Twizzler, our eight year old indoor cat, has recently started urinating occasionally on bathmats and in the laundry basket.  Up until now he had always been a very clean cat.  Why is he doing this, and how can we get him to go back to using the litterbox?

Inappropriate urination in cats can be very frustrating for owners to deal with.  After all, one of the reasons that we “cat people” have cats is that they are litterbox trained.  Cats choose to urinate in areas outside of the litterbox for a variety of reasons.

Cats are creatures of habit, and they do not always adapt well to changes in their routine.  If you have recently moved, added a new pet to your household, had a baby, or even rearranged your furniture, your cat may decide to register his displeasure by urine-marking in inappropriate places in the home.  Cats will also occasionally take offense to changes made to their litterbox area.  If you have moved the litterbox to another area of your home, changed the type of litter you use, or switched from an uncovered box to a covered one, consider returning things to the way they once were and see if this makes your cat happier.

Cats are also prone to metabolic diseases that can increase urine output, especially after the age of seven.  You may have noticed your cat is more frequently at the water bowl or that the clumps of urine in the box are larger than they used to be.  Diseases such as renal insufficiency, diabetes, and hyperthyroidism can all increase your cat’s urine output.  Some cats with increased urine output simply can’t make it to the litterbox on time.

One of the most common causes for inappropriate urination in cats, however, is cystitis.  Cystitis refers to inflammation of the bladder, and can be secondary to bladder stones, urinary crystals or, less commonly, bacterial infection.  Because cystitis is painful regardless of the cause, and because some cystitis cases can suddenly become life-threatening emergencies, it is important to have Twizzler examined and his urine analyzed as soon as possible by your veterinarian.  Many of these conditions can be managed effectively with diet changes or medication.  Your cat’s inappropriate urination may be more than just an inconvenience to you; it may signal that he is experiencing a painful condition, and he needs your help in order to receive a diagnosis and effective treatment.