A cat peeing outside the litter box but pooping inside it can occur for several reasons, often involving medical, behavioral, or environmental factors.
Medical Causes
One of the most common reasons is underlying medical issues such as urinary tract infections (UTI), bladder inflammation, or feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD). These conditions can make urination painful or urgent, causing the cat to avoid the litter box for peeing while still using it for pooping. Other medical problems like kidney disease, diabetes, arthritis, or gastrointestinal issues can also affect litter box behavior due to pain, urgency, or difficulty accessing the box.
Behavioral and Environmental Factors
Behaviorally, stress or changes in the household such as new pets, moving, or a new baby can lead to inappropriate urination. Cats may also dislike dirty litter boxes or a change in the type of litter or box location, causing them to urinate elsewhere but still defecate in the box. Some cats might associate the litter box with pain if urination is painful, leading to avoidance of peeing there.
Recommendations
It is important to first rule out medical causes by consulting a veterinarian, especially since urinary issues require prompt treatment. Ensuring the litter box is clean, in a quiet and accessible location, using a litter type the cat prefers, and minimizing stress or changes at home can help resolve or reduce the inappropriate urination behavior.
In summary, the combination of medical discomfort related to urination and environmental or behavioral triggers is the most common explanation for why a cat might pee outside the litter box but still poop inside it. A vet visit is often the best starting point to diagnose the cause properly and begin treatment or behavioral management accordingly.
