Most indoor cats prefer to use their litter box, because they are fastidiously clean creatures, but they will sometimes boycott the box. Such inappropriate urination or feline house soiling can significantly impact the cat and pet owner relationship. House soiling is a leading reason why cats lose their homes and end up in shelters, or worse—are euthanized. 

Our Central Kentucky Veterinary Center team recognizes the gravity of feline house soiling and wants to help pet owners understand the condition. Here are inappropriate elimination causes, how you can troubleshoot the problem at home, and when to seek veterinary care.

What is feline house soiling?

House soiling (i.e., inappropriate urination and/or defecation outside the litter box) encompasses several subtly different problems that indoor cats frequently exhibit. They may stop reliably using the litter box, or urine mark, which is the deliberate act of spraying a surface with urine for territorial reasons. Urine marking occurs mostly in intact cats, but can affect up to 10% of spayed or neutered pets, and usually occurs on vertical surfaces and near windows or doors. Inappropriate urination is typically a large urine amount on a horizontal surface. Sometimes the two are difficult to distinguish and some detective work may be required to determine the true problem.

House soiling can have a major impact on a household because the frustrated pet owner may feel their cat is going outside the litter box or on a particular surface out of spite, and the relationship becomes strained. Some pet owners whose cat has this problem give up their pet or have them euthanized. Recognizing that house soiling usually occurs because of underlying medical or behavioral reasons can help pet owners work toward a viable solution.

Medical causes of feline house soiling

House soiling can result from an underlying medical issue. Problems that cause increased urine or fecal volume or urinary or fecal urgency can lead to accidents, and conditions that are painful when the cat gets in and out of the box or during urination or defecation can lead to subsequent box avoidance. Some potential contributing factors may include:

Behavioral causes of feline house soiling

Feline house soiling can be behavioral, or a combination of medical and behavioral. Cats may develop an aversion to their litter box, box location, or litter, because a painful or stressful event, such as a fight with another household pet occurred there. Cats in multi-cat households or who can see outdoor feral cats are more likely to urine mark to send a territorial message. Generalized stress, which can arise from household changes, adding new pets, guests, construction, disease, poor inter-pet relationships, competition for resources, or failure to meet your cat’s basic needs, may also play a role.

Troubleshooting feline house soiling at home

Sometimes cats go outside a box that isn’t clean enough, they don’t have enough boxes, or they don’t like a new litter. Consider making these changes if you find a urine puddle:

  • Switch to larger litter boxes.
  • Offer multiple litters in boxes side by side to see which your cat prefers.
  • Avoid dusty or scented litter.
  • Avoid plastic litter box liners.
  • Place at least one box on each house level.
  • Ensure you have at least one box per cat, plus one additional box.
  • Try covered and uncovered box options.
  • Cut low-sided entry points in litter boxes for easy accessibility.
  • Do not place litter boxes in corners or near loud appliances.

When to seek veterinary care for feline house soiling

If your cat’s house soiling is more than an occasional problem, you should schedule a visit with our team to rule out or treat a medical issue. We will likely recommend these tests, in addition to a complete physical examination:

  • Urinalysis
  • Urine culture
  • Blood work
  • Abdominal X-ray
  • Abdominal ultrasound

Feline house soiling treatment

Treatment for house soiling depends largely on the specific underlying causes. Often the problem needs a multimodal treatment strategy that addresses several medical and behavioral aspects. Treatment may include:

  • Anti-anxiety or stress-reducing medications
  • Addressing stressful household conditions
  • Prescription diets for urinary or gastrointestinal disease
  • Anti-inflammatory or pain medications
  • Antibiotics
  • Meeting with a professional trainer or behaviorist

Cats are sensitive to change and stress, and they will stop using the litter box or have the urge to urine mark because of a minute change. Ruling out a medical issue is important in these cases, because urinary problems in our feline friends are common and can be serious. Contact the Central Kentucky Veterinary Center to schedule a visit if your furry pal is going outside their litter box, or for a routine wellness checkup.