Cat Urinating Outside of Box

Hi everyone

I have an 8 year old female cat who , in the past week and a half, has decided to pee just outside of box. It took a few days to see who the culprit was as I also have her 8 year old brother.   Thinking maybe the box was too small for her, we got larger boxes.  She did it again. So then I bought new litter and got Cat Attract. She did it again. So then we bought a very LARGE litter box that both could fit in if they wanted

Today I saw her go in, turn around, so her butt is facing outward and she pees. Then when done she acts like shes burying it in the box. I cleaned it up. Then about hour later she used the box to poop in.

We have noticed she is not eating her dry food as much and never was a wet food eater. However, in the past 2 days she BEGGING us for wet food

I plan on calling vet tomorrow. I just cant figure out why shes sitting in the box and basically aiming the wrong way all of a sudden

My gut it telling me something is VERY wrong. DOes anyone have any suggestions?

You're on the right track taking her to the vet.  She might have a urinary tract infection or inflammation - this is the usual reason cats suddenly change their litter box behavior.  They associate the box with the pain felt during urination and often avoid the box all together.  Try to get her to the vet as soon as you can.  UTIs are very painful.  

 Keep giving her the wet food as the increased fluids will help flush her system out.  

Thank you!   We just find it odd her entire body is in the box but shes aiming her butt outwards. I thought with a UTI they wouldnt even go in the box?

sarmcl said:

 
Thank you!   We just find it odd her entire body is in the box but shes aiming her butt outwards. I thought with a UTI they wouldnt even go in the box?

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Some cats do still use the box even with a UTI but you're right, many cats won't use it at all.   Has she started standing up, rather than sitting when she pees?  That can be a symptom of pain due to something like arthritis.  My old Wesley started doing that when he got up in years.  It helped to get a box with very high walls.   I know you've invested in several boxes recently but you might consider doing so one more time.  Some people make their own high walled litter boxes by cutting entry holes in plastic storage bins.  

Please let us know what the vet says.  

Shes peeing like she normally does. No difference in that. We put a plastic tarp down because it was hitting the carpet. So I can see the urine is not abnormal, no blood or anything. 

That's a good sign that there's no blood in the urine.  I'd still have her checked over by the vet, especially considering her changed eating habits.  However, it may be that she simply tried out the different position and decided she liked it. My cats don't always sit in the same position, which is one of the reasons why I have the high walled litter box. BTW: Puppy pads help in this kind of situation, and are a bit easier to deal with than a tarp.

I just went to check box and she managed to somehow pee in the holder attached to box that's meant for the scooper. We are baffled. I just added another box up there as I have no idea what else to do until I can see vet . I feel helpless

Dealing with litter box issues can be really frustrating - you have my sympathies.  That is truly weird, peeing in the holder for the scooper.    Adding another box was a good idea.  The usual formula is one per cat and one for the house, so ideally you should have three anyway.  For now you might purchase some puppy pads so at least the clean-up won't be such a pain.  You're doing all the right things and you should be able to resolve this.  It just might take a little patience.  That's easier said than done when you're having to clean up cat pee, I know. 

Have you changed litter recently and are you scooping as often as possible?  As for the food, I'd feed her whatever she will eat right now.

We thought it might be a litter issue and we changed to an unscented one. No change, also we clean a least once per day and now it's 2-3 times a day and she's still doing it. I have vet appt in hour

So update: Not diabetic. Blood work back tomorrow. Lost 3 pounds since September. Could be bladder infection, stones...will know more when blood work back. She got an antibiotic shot. Go back in 2 weeks to check urine again

In meantime, anyone have suggestions to get her to eat? Someone said PetSmart had supplements that's a paste and high calorie. I am open to suggestions

sarmcl said:

So update: Not diabetic. Blood work back tomorrow. Lost 3 pounds since September. Could be bladder infection, stones...will know more when blood work back. She got an antibiotic shot. Go back in 2 weeks to check urine again

In meantime, anyone have suggestions to get her to eat? Someone said PetSmart had supplements that's a paste and high calorie. I am open to suggestions

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Did they run a T4?

Has she stopped eating her wet food as well as the dry?  That's not good, she really shouldn't go more than a day without eating.  Here are some ideas to get her to eat:

1.  Warm up her canned food to release the aromas and make it more inviting.

2.  Use "smelly" foods, like tuna or salmon.

3.  Put her food bowl under her nose while she's asleep.  Sometimes cats eat automatically when they wake up to food right there in front of them.

4.  Crumble some cheese on her food.

5.  Buy some baby food - chicken or turkey without garlic or onion.  Many cats can't resist this.

6.  Sprinkle Fortiflora or Bonito flakes on top 

7.  Hand feed her

8.  Offer her some warm ham.

To answer your question about the high calorie paste - you might be thinking of Nutri-cal.  Cats do like it and if you spread it on their paws, they'll lick it off.  

missmimz said:

Did they run a T4?

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Honestly I don't know what that is. Can you elaborate?

Margd said:

Has she stopped eating her wet food as well as the dry?  That's not good, she really shouldn't go more than a day without eating.  Here are some ideas to get her to eat:

1.  Warm up her canned food to release the aromas and make it more inviting.
2.  Use "smelly" foods, like tuna or salmon.
3.  Put her food bowl under her nose while she's asleep.  Sometimes cats eat automatically when they wake up to food right there in front of them.
4.  Crumble some cheese on her food.
5.  Buy some baby food - chicken or turkey without garlic or onion.  Many cats can't resist this.
6.  Sprinkle Fortiflora or Bonito flakes on top 
7.  Hand feed her
8.  Offer her some warm ham.

To answer your question about the high calorie paste - you might be thinking of Nutri-cal.  Cats do like it and if you spread it on their paws, they'll lick it off.  

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Tried 1,2, 7 and nothing. I will try the others.

The paste recommended to me was this: http://www.petsmart.com/cat/food-an...-pets-high-calorie-booster-cat-gel-12326.html

sarmcl said:

Tried 1,2, 7 and nothing. I will try the others.

The paste recommended to me was this: http://www.petsmart.com/cat/food-an...-pets-high-calorie-booster-cat-gel-12326.html

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I think this is probably just Petsmart's version of Nutri-Cal.  It looks like the same idea, anyway, so I'd give it a try.  Your girl might really like it.

T4 tests are for thyroid function.   

BTW:  What is your kitty's name?  

Margd said:

I think this is probably just Petsmart's version of Nutri-Cal.  It looks like the same idea, anyway, so I'd give it a try.  Your girl might really like it.

T4 tests are for thyroid function.   

BTW:  What is your kitty's name?  

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She did mention the blood test would check out for hyper thyroid. Her real name is Sarah but she goes by Bug

Great news! At 5:05 PM EST, Bug peed INSIDE her litterbox. Fingers crossed this continues and this was a UTI. Hoping the shot of Convenia is my savior!

That really is terrific news!  Fingers crossed it keeps up!     

sarmcl said:

Honestly I don't know what that is. Can you elaborate?

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T4 is a thyroid test to see if your cats thyroid is normal or not. A high thyroid (hyperthyroidism) can cause some of the symptoms your cat has. Hyper-t is most common in cats over 10, but it is seen in younger cats too.