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So, you get home from grocery shopping and decide it’s time to put that basket of clean washing away that you have been ignoring for the last 3 days.  You lift your favourite shirt off the top of the pile and… whoa!! What is that smell?  Hmm…smells like cat pee?!!  You head straight for the bathroom to wash your hands and… what’s that in the sink??  You guessed it – more cat pee!  I’m sure quite a few of you have experienced a similar situation at home and would agree that this is not normal.   It is important to remember that your cat is not doing this to spite you because you forgot to give them their treat before leaving, or because you got grumpy at them for jumping on the kitchen bench for example.  Quite often this “inappropriate” urination is a sign that there is a serious underlying disease process (commonly lower urinary tract disease) or that the environmental needs of you kitty are not being adequately met.

As well as urinating in inappropriate places, other changes that may be observed with urinary tract disease include:

• Increased frequency of urination (The average cat urinates twice daily +/- 2)
• Blood in the urine
• Straining or difficulty urinating, sometimes accompanied by distressed cries
• Loss of litter tray training
• Increased grooming, especially in the area around the genitals
• Behavioural changes including aggression

None of these signs should be ignored and you should never punish your cat for inappropriate urination or house-soiling. Punishment can lead to fear-related aggression, reduces the bond between cat and human, and encourages urine marking in less obvious areas.

It is vital to identify the underlying cause of feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD), especially if your cat has severe, recurrent or persistent symptoms. After performing a thorough physical examination on your cat, we will recommend which tests to start with and then on the basis of the results, may recommend further testing.

For young to middle aged cats under 10 years of age the most likely cause of FLUTD will be feline idiopathic cystitis (FIC) however this condition can only be diagnosed by excluding all other causes. Idiopathic is a term used to describe a condition has no known cause identified. It is currently thought that FIC is caused by multiple factors including genetics, environment and an altered and inappropriate nervous system response to stress.

To investigate FLUTD in younger cats, urinalysis is the first essential step. Depending on your cat’s age and symptoms, they may also require blood testing to assess a complete blood count, serum biochemistry and thyroid hormone levels.

For mature and senior cats older than 10 years of age:

The most common cause of FLUTD in older cats tends to be urinary tract infections and these generally develop secondary to an underlying disorder such as chronic kidney disease, diabetes or hyperthyroidism. These cats will require blood and urine testing including a complete blood count, serum biochemistry, thyroid hormone testing and a urinalysis with a culture and sensitivity. It is also prudent to measure blood pressure to screen for hypertension.

Further testing for inappropriate urination and house soiling

Cats with recurrent symptoms or those who fail to respond to treatment will require further investigations. This will usually include abdominal x-rays and ultrasound, and sometimes also advanced contrast studies (pneumocystogram). For senior cats with FLUTD symptoms, an abdominal ultrasound can be a useful tool to screen for bladder cancer. If a suspicious looking mass is found, a biopsy may also be recommend.

Treatment for inappropriate urination and house soiling

Treatment will depend on the underlying cause identified and may vary from the use of an anti-inflammatory, antibiotics or dietary change through to hospitalisation for more severe cases.  As well as identifying and treating any medical problems, it is also important that we enhance the environment of our feline friends to ensure they have a suitable, safe place to urinate (see our “Litter Box Care information page). We also need to ensure that there is adequate access to water, that we provide an opportunity for daily exercise and manage all perceived stressful situations.  We can certainly provide you with more information to ensure that all your cat’s environmental needs are being met.

Inappropriate urination can be a frustrating problem. Resolution requires patience, as it can take some time to determine what is causing these behaviours and may involve making changes to several aspects of a cat’s home environment and care. If you are experiencing inappropriate urination with your cat, please contact us for assistance. The sooner these issues are addressed, the happier everyone will be, including your cat!

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