Is Your Cat Peeing Everywhere A Sign Of A Health Problem?
Cats sometimes pee in places to be territorial but that can usually be nipped in the bud quite effectively with adequate cleaning products that remove the smell of the urine. Without a smell indicator, most cats will typically stop marking the area. However, if your cat is still continuing to pee outside the litter box, it may indicate that there's something else going on. Here's what you need to know about the diseases it could potentially indicate.
Kidney Disease
One common reason for cats to pee inappropriately outside of the litter box is kidney disease. This is an unfortunately common ailment in many cats where the kidneys start to become damaged and thus perform their job less effectively. This can make it difficult for your cat to hold their bladder as their body will be utilizing more water to perform the same action of filtering the blood. With more water comes a more urgent need to use the litter box, and at times, your cat may not be able to hold it until they get there. In these instances, they'll probably go wherever they can in order to relieve themselves.
Bladder Infection
Another common problem this can indicate is that there's something wrong with your cat's bladder or urethra, like an infection.
Bladder and urethra infections aren't entirely uncommon in cats. They can develop from something as simple as your cat coming into contact with the litter box and bacteria from the box working its way up the urethra. This condition can be treated with antibiotics, but until it is, your kitty may strain to urinate. While it might seem odd at first, all your cat understands is that when they try to use the litter box, it hurts. So they may be avoiding the box in an effort to avoid that pain, even if it's not an effective way of doing it.
What to Do
If your cat is peeing inappropriately, it's time for a visit to the vet's office.
Your vet will be able to determine if your cat has either of these conditions as easily as taking a blood and urine sample. The blood sample can be tested to determine if your cat's kidneys aren't working effectively while the urine is tested for bacterial growth. If a problem is detected, your vet will work with you to treat or control the condition so that with any luck your cat stops peeing outside of the litter box. Speak with a veterinarian for more information.
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