Is your cat peeing over the edge of the litter box and creating total chaos at your place? I believe that you didn’t think of this when you were getting a new pet.
However, accidents happen from time to time, especially if it’s a young kitten we’re talking about. In life, good things come with a price, and so does cat ownership.
Felines are still part of the animal world even if they’ve been next to our side for decades now. We might not always fully understand the things they do, but that’s okay. I know we’re doing our best.
Feline behavior is a complex one and sometimes, it takes time to figure out the cause of it. But isn’t it in the cat nature to do their business precisely?
“I thought that cats are known for their high-level hygiene and meticulousness. How could this be happening to me? If I wanted a pet that pees all over the place, I would’ve gotten a puppy definitely!”
I understand that you might feel concerned and overwhelmed right now. You made sure your pet has everything she needs: a litter box and a private spot to do her business.
All you get in return for this hard work is your cat’s pee all around the litter box! What are you doing wrong? Is your cat simply spoiled?
There are a ton of questions that are flooding your mind right now. The feeling of guilt and sadness washes over you. It can be exhausting to go around the house cleaning it from urine.
However, we have to take a lot of things into consideration here. Every single thing counts as an important factor, from your pet’s age to her medical history.
Therefore, be patient and read the article carefully. Perhaps there’s something you somehow missed but seems so logical. Let’s find out!
Why is my cat peeing over the edge of the litter box?
This is a really good question. Now, we might not have all the answers, but we definitely tried to think of every possible case scenario. However, you should always remember that each cat is unique. Why is this relevant?
You see, I own two cats who are total opposites. For instance, one of my pets will pee all over the house, not just on the edge of the litter box, in terms of protest. My other pet will just sulk for days and refuse to eat her food (raw meat doesn’t count).
Therefore, your pet might be doing this as a sign of protest if she’s dissatisfied with something. On the other hand, the cause might be of a medical nature.
Either way, it really isn’t a desirable situation. In fact, the litter box is a part of cat ownership that most pet parents hate. The unpleasant smell, the scooping, and of course, the occasional accidents.
We’re going to give you some tips and tricks on how you can stop this behavior from persisting. But first of all, let’s see why is your cat peeing over the edge of the litter box.
1. Problems with the litter box
Has your cat been peeing over the edge of her litter box recently, and you don’t suspect there’s anything wrong with her medically speaking? Well, perhaps she isn’t the problem this time.
It could be that the litter box doesn’t suit your feline. Maybe it’s too small for her liking. Cats grow up so fast and you won’t even be able to notice the moment she outgrows her litter box.
Therefore, if she’s had the same one since she was a little kitten, maybe it’s time to purchase a new, bigger one. Other than that, it could have to do with finding the right spot.
Felines can be a bit weird sometimes, but hey, that’s why we adore them so much. They’re shy animals, so your furbaby needs the right place to do her business.
Therefore, there’s a high chance your cat isn’t satisfied with the litter box placement. Perhaps she insists her bathroom be put somewhere else where she’ll have more privacy.
If that’s not possible, you should maybe opt for a covered litter box. After all, it’s all about having her own space, isn’t it? If you’ve eliminated these two options already, what else could it be?
It’s no secret that cats can be demanding, even when it comes to the place where they pee and poop. So, no surprise your cat’s peeing over the edge of her litter box if she doesn’t like the litter. In that case, you should look for an alternative.
You heard me right. Maybe you just own the pickiest feline out of all of them. If this is the case, you should still be thankful since this one is an easy fix.
Also, remember how I said that these furry animals are meticulous? Make sure your pet’s litter box is always clean. Otherwise, she might decide to do her business just outside of it. And oh, don’t be surprised if your cat plays with poop.
2. Marking and stress
Ever heard of urine marking? If not, here’s a little something on that topic. Cats are very territorial animals. If your princess was out in the wild, she would probably mark her territory very often.
What’s not so pretty about this situation is that they do this by spraying. It implies that your pet will urinate in certain places to communicate with other animals in the area.
It’s her way of saying, “This is mine, back off.” However, this behavior is more common among males, especially unneutered ones. But if you own more than one pet, this could also be your female cat’s warning to others.
Therefore, if you haven’t already, make sure each pet has its own litter box. It might be a more expensive solution, but trust me, it’s worth it. More litter boxes mean your pet likely won’t pee over the edge and all over the place.
Usually, the marking doesn’t just stop there. Unfortunately, your feline might decide to act out and spray all over the house. If she sees you as someone (or something) worth guarding, your clothes could be next in the line for some spraying.
Urine marking is usually accompanied by stress. If you recently moved to a new place, your pet might feel overwhelmed. She sees this new alien space all of a sudden and there’s no familiar scent.
Therefore, a change of environment, new animals in the house, or really any kind of change could provoke your pet to such behavior. Therefore, make sure your feline adapts to her surroundings first before making any assumptions about her medical health, for instance.
3. Different urinary conditions
Cats can tell when we’re sick, but do we have the same magic powers as them? How can you be sure everything’s alright with your kitten?
Unfortunately for felines, urinary infections are a common medical concern. This may cause all sorts of problems for your cat.
If this wasn’t bad enough on your furbaby, urinary infections can also cause your feline to have a sudden urge to use the restroom. So, it could be the constant running back and forth to use her litter box.
We know approximately how long can cats go without using the bathroom, so you rule out that she’s simply in a hurry. She might be able to get to the toilet on time, but there’s a chance she might miss it.
Therefore, if you see your cat peeing over the edge of the litter box, perhaps she just couldn’t make it in time. Unfortunately, there are other medical conditions that could be the reason for all of this mess.
Certain illnesses, such as diabetes and renal disease, may also cause your cat to embarrass herself like this. Also, bladder stones and cystitis might be what’s giving your pet a hard time.
Although the causes of these illnesses and disorders vary, they all increase your cat’s desire to urinate. Frequent urine may indicate that your cat doesn’t use her litter box on time.
Alternatively, when your furbaby pees more frequently, her litter box may get soiled, discouraging her from using it. Do you see how everything leads from one to another? As a result, your pet might instead pee over the edge.
4. A metabolic disease
Diabetes and hyperthyroidism, for example, might cause an increase in urine output. Consequently, this would require your cat to go more frequently.
This sudden impulse to urinate explains why your pet might do her business outside of her litter box rather than within. Well, what can I say? If she has to go, she has to go!
I know, sometimes it could be like you’re raising a toddler. But hey, it doesn’t matter as long as you’re raising a healthy and happy furbaby!
5. Paw problems
I know what you’re thinking. “How on earth could her paws be giving her trouble with peeing?” Well, you’d be surprised just how much she needs those tiny little feet in order to do this simple task.
Obviously, our pets don’t just sit on a toilet seat. Instead, they squat down and if you’ve never done that, it takes a bit of balancing and work to do it properly.
So, if your cat’s peeing over the edge of her litter box, she might have some issues regarding her paws. For instance, if your cat has overgrown claws, they might prevent her from digging the litter.
Again, back to some previous causes of this behavior: get a bigger litter box if she’s trying to fit in! Also, you should really get your pet’s nails trimmed if this is the problem!
On the other hand, your furbaby might have wounds on her paw pads that you didn’t notice earlier. We know how much haste they’re in all the time, so it would be no surprise for them to get small cuts here and there.
I’m just baffled how they don’t have some more serious injuries than bruises seeing how they’re all over the place wreaking havoc all the time!
Your cat may have stepped on something sharp, such as a shard of glass, a jagged stone, or a thorny plant or thorns. Shallow cuts won’t create severe problems, but extensively sliced paw pads can be uncomfortable.
Although this is the least likely of the four possibilities, she may have even burned her paws. Either way, she’s in pain and can’t help but pee over the litter box due to the discomfort.
6. Arthritis
Unfortunately for your cat, she could be suffering from arthritis. It’s likely for it to be the reason why your cat’s peeing over the edge of her litter box.
What isn’t so fortunate is that this condition is a very frequent ailment among senior cats. This is similar to human arthritis in that your cat’s joints swell and become inflamed.
Instead of sliding smoothly past each other, the bones will start chafing against one other, making mobility more painful and difficult. If you have a younger cat, it’s less likely the cause but doesn’t rule out the possibility just because of her age.
Because it causes them additional discomfort, arthritic cats frequently pee over the edge of their toilet box. The reason for this is the height of the litter box. Your cat must first climb into it, which increases the risks of hitting their inflamed joints on the box’s sides, exacerbating the discomfort.
Even though arthritis is generally associated with old age and is caused by the regular wear and strain of your cat’s joints over time, younger cats can also get the ailment. It is also more prevalent in certain breeds, such as Maine Coons, Persians, and Siamese cats.
How to stop your cat from peeing over the edge of the litter box?
A question we all want to know the answer to. However, you’d be surprised that there are more solutions to this problem than you’d think.
But just like with any other problem, you must be sure about what’s causing it. Once you determine the source of this behavior and where all this mess comes from, you can act on it.
Until then, don’t make any assumptions and decisions on your own. Sometimes, your cat peeing over the edge of the litter box could be of medical nature.
Other times, it could have something to do with her behavior issues. Therefore, take some time to observe your feline so you can exclude some of the above-mentioned reasons.
1. Do your task
First and foremost, you have to make sure that your pet’s completely comfortable. What I mean is that you have to provide your feline with the necessary equipment, such as a suitable litter box.
If you have more than one cat, it’s possible she’s peeing over the edge because of that. Therefore, don’t be a cheapskate and buy another litter box so you don’t have to clean up that mess every day.
After all, it will make your pets happiest and eventually, bring peace to the house. Other than that, take your feline’s size into consideration.
Maybe you bought that bathroom when she was just a kitten and it fit her perfectly. However, she had a bit of a growth spurt and she doesn’t fit anymore. I know litter boxes are usually big enough for every pet but who knows, maybe you have one of those breeds they call gentle giants.
In that case, grab a bigger litter box like this one from Lucky Champ and see if your feline likes it more. Even if you have a senior cat, this litter box should suit her needs since it has a low front wall for easy access.
Other than that, remember to choose the right place to put the bathroom. You wouldn’t want to go somewhere where it’s more public and there’s a lot of commotion going on, would you?
Well, neither does your cat. She needs privacy so she can relax and do her business. If she’s peeing over the edge of the litter box, your cat might be telling you it’s time to change the location.
If you believe that you’ve fulfilled all of her requirements, don’t be fooled because there’s more. As demanding as they are, felines will openly try to tell you when they don’t like something.
So, you might want to try and change the type of litter box your pet uses. I know it seems strange, but it’s a thing. Also, don’t let your fussy pet down, and make sure you clean the box regularly.
2. Spay/neuter
Perhaps you’ve recently brought another pet into your home and your first cat decided that it’s a no from her. Now I know where Simon Cowell gets his inspiration from.
Jokes aside, your feline might be showing her dislike towards the new animal in the house by peeing over the edge of her litter box. Other than that, she could urinate all over the place as well.
Usually, it’s the vertical things, such as the walls. Even though this behavior is more common in meals, it doesn’t mean females can’t get jealous or territorial.
Therefore, you should consider spaying or neutering your feline. Talk to your vet about when would be the right time for that because it depends on a lot of things, such as age and your pet’s condition.
If this isn’t an option or your feline’s been spayed already, try reintroducing the two animals. Take it slow and see how it goes.
3. Treat medical conditions
As for urinary illnesses, these are often characterized by frequent urination, excessive genital licking, and, in certain cases, blood in the urine.
If you’re suspicious that there’s something wrong with your pet’s urinary tract, take your cat to the doctor. A vet will be able to provide appropriate therapy, which should resolve your litter box issues.
Other than that, diabetes also causes cats to pee more often, although this is accompanied by increased thirst. Any cat suffering from hyperthyroidism may experience these symptoms, as well as an increase in hunger and weight loss.
Again, your veterinarian can prescribe a therapy that should result in improved litter box habits. If your cat suffers from arthritis, it could be a bummer as well.
Reduced mobility, such as your cat straining to climb stairs, as well as limping, are early indicators of arthritis. Also, you might notice that she isn’t as active as she used to be and she stopped grooming herself.
Once again, your veterinarian will be able to determine whether your cat has arthritis and provide pain medication. You should also seek a spacious litter box with a low entry point so that your cat may use it without aggravating her joint problems.
4. Be aware of injuries
If your cat’s health is top-notch, there might be a problem that was recently raised. For instance, your cat perhaps injured her paw pads which makes her pee over the edge of her litter box.
If you observe your cat hobbling, examine her paws and keep an eye out for any signs of damage. If a foreign item becomes lodged in her tiny foot, it may be extracted, and an ingrown claw can be cut.
You should also consult your veterinarian, who can prescribe pain relievers and medicine if the incision is infected. I know this is sometimes easier said than done because they can be such active and agile animals.
It’s hard to always keep an eye on them. Thankfully, there are some obvious indicators that there’s something wrong with your feline, such as peeing over the edge of the litter box.
Read more: Cat Body Explained: Do Cats Pee And Poop At The Same Time?
