Inappropriate house soiling is one of the most common problem behaviours that vets see in cats, and, understandably, can be a pretty unpleasant issue for owners to deal with. Here’s why cats might start urinating inappropriately, and how “wee” can help!

“Why has my cat started urinating in the house?”

If a previously well-litter-trained cat has started to wee in the house, it’s important that we consider whether they’ve developed any medical problems that could directly or indirectly affect their urinary health or behaviour. These include:

• Conditions that could be causing bladder irritation, such as bladder inflammation or infection, bladder stones, or a bladder tumour.
• Conditions that are causing your cat to urinate more than usual, such as kidney disease.
• Conditions that make it difficult for your cat to use a litter tray, such as arthritis.

We would also consider other factors that could influence your pet’s toileting behaviour, such as:

• Reluctance to use their current toileting facilities, e.g. a change in their type of kitty litter or tray, or inadequate tray cleaning.
• The onset of anxiety in your cat, so that they feel the need to mark their territory with urine – this can be triggered by changes in people or pets in the household, or other environmental stressors such as building work.

“Can my cat’s problem toileting be treated?”

For any cat showing toileting problems, we will provide general advice on how to properly clean up the messes, and how to provide the most appealing “facilities” for your pet.

In the case of any underlying medical problem, we will advise on the best treatment option to resolve or help control their issue.

If your cat’s toileting issues appear to be due to underlying anxiety, they may require therapies such as:

• Calming supplements or pheromone spray
• Daily anti-anxiety medication
• An environmental enrichment program
• Retraining them to use a litter box

For more advice on keeping your cat feline fine, consult our knowledgeable team.