4 Reasons Your Cat Is Peeing Outside the Tray
When your cat starts urinating out of the ordinary, your first impulse may be to see a veterinarian: could it be a UTI? Stones in the kidneys? Diabetes? Cancer? While it’s true that urinary problems can be a sign of any of these health issues, in many cases, cats simply complain about the box itself. If your cat is otherwise healthy and happy and her litter box is clean, consider these common litter box problems before you pay your vet bill.
They don’t like trash
Cats are very picky about litter; if they don’t like how it smells or how it feels on their paws, they won’t use it. Many people learn this the hard way when they switch to new filler formulas based on crystals or granules. need to solve problems with cat litter.
According to Preventive Vet, cats prefer fine, sandy textures to coarser, “rocky” textures , and unscented litter over scented litter. (Many veterinarians have told me the same thing over the years.) Fine-textured, unscented litter is always the safest option, whether it’s the classic clay-based formula or one of the new crystalline formulas that feel like sand.
Their tray is too small
A particularly tall or long cat may struggle to get into the box, but through no fault of its own. When the walls are below his butt or the box is shorter than his body, the urine will go exactly where you don’t want it. The good news is that there is a small box for every cat. Try a box with very high sides or extra length. If you are using a closed tray, they may object to the lid; removing this will give tall cats a little more breathing room. If none of these options work, it might be time to consider a do-it-yourself solution: large plastic storage bins are great trays that are available in a wide range of sizes.
They can no longer get in or out of the box
Older cats, especially those with arthritis, may struggle to cross even very low barriers, making it difficult for them to get in and out of a standard litter box. To make life a little easier for an older kitten, consider something simpler: Many brands sell low-sided boxes specifically for older cats, and they can make a huge difference.
They need more privacy
Depending on how much space you have in your home, finding the perfect toilet seat can be a daunting task. Just like humans, cats need privacy to go about their business, so placing litter boxes in high-traffic areas is a bad idea. Instead, choose quiet places away from foot traffic but with a good view of the environment – cats don’t like to be ambushed and want to be able to watch them from a vulnerable position. Cats also don’t like to poop where they eat, so veterinarians also recommend separating the litter box as much as possible from the eating area. A quiet corner in a quiet room should meet all these requirements, but you can experiment until you achieve the desired result.