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My cat suddenly pees outside the litter box. What should I do?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | Mixed Breed | Male | neutered | 1 year old

Hello! Thank you for all your help and support, you've been life saviours. I found that my cat, Felix, has been peeing in a room in my house, that is somewhat of a storage room. He's always been using his litter box since I got him, and never peed anywhere else in the house. I don't know if he just couldn't hold it, or if it's a behavioural issue! I clean his box a few times a day, whenever I get the chance, but sometimes I get late home, or asleep when he wants to use the box so I ignore him.

4 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Rodrigo Roca, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on October 11th, 2017

Hello, sorry to hear about Felix. This could be a one time accident, however it could be an early sign of FLUTD (feline lower urinary tract disease) which may also be referred to as FIC (Feline idiopathic cystitis). Other causes of abnormal urinations include bladder stones, urinary tract infections, and crystals in the urine. If you note any more of these behavior, it will be beneficial to have Felix examined sooner rather than later. Some cats may develop severe inflammation of their bladder which can lead to an obstruction.

In the interim, you should add wet food to his diet and ensure he has readily access to copious amounts of water.

Hope this helps and best of luck.

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS
Veterinarian
Published on May 1st, 2019
Thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach with your question about Luna. This could be a sign that she has a medical illness such as feline idiopathic cystitis or bladder stones. Tonight, I would feed her canned food and add water to it to flush her bladder. Have her seen by a vet first thing in the morning, who can determine if she does have a medical illness causing this behavior, and can treat her. I hope this helps!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Oneal Bogan, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on October 14th, 2017
Hi there. There are couple things that could be going on with Felix. He could have an infection which is causing him to be uncomfortable and want to urinate in inappropriate places. It may also be that he's marking his territory because he is not neutered. I would recommend to first take him to your vet to check for infection, getting him neutered and then if the problem still persists it could be FLUTD which can be managed with things to reduce his stress level, extra litter boxes, and behavior supplements. I would start with what is simple first like making sure he doesn't have an infection and getting him neutered and then go from there. Best of luck with Felix.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Destini R. Holloway, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on February 19th, 2019
The #1 cause for peeing outside the litterbox is an underlying UTI. I would recommend getting her urine tested by your vet first to determine if this is the real issue. UTI's cause cats stress and therefore they start to go everywhere! : ( Also their bladder can't hold urine long b/c of inflammation, so they are often seen to squat and only a small amount of urine comes out or they can even strain to urinate.
I hope that Bailey's abnormal urinations stop soon! A trip to the vet should be able to get this resolved quickly. Best wishes and take care. : )
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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