Cats urinating in inappropriate places is a very common problem. Initially it is important to decide if the cat is spraying or not.

Cats spray to mark their territory usually with their tail held upright against a vertical surface. Spraying is more commonly a problem in entire male cats and in multiple cat households.

If a cat is urinating outside of its litter tray inside the house with a normal squatting posture it is known as inappropriate urination. There are many causes for this with different solutions.

Inappropriate urination can be due to diseases including bladder infections, constipation, kidney problems and diabetes. It is important to rule out these problems with a visit to your vet.

Some cats may urinate outside their box because they don’t like the type of litter so it is worth trying different types of litter, you may even offer a smorgasbord of litters to see what they prefer!

Cats will also avoid a dirty litter tray so more regular cleaning may be required.

The position of the litter tray is important with cats preferring a private place, away from their food, which they have easy access to without encountering people, dogs, or sometimes other cats. Also, some cats like to have more than one litter tray.