Introduction
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) in cats, while not extremely common, can cause significant discomfort and lead to litter box avoidance. A UTI occurs when bacteria gets into the bladder or urinary tract, leading to inflammation and irritation. This causes a strong, frequent urge to urinate, pain and discomfort during urination, and in some cases blood in the urine. Understandably, this can make cats hesitant to use the litter box.
Litter box avoidance is one of the most noticeable signs of a potential UTI in cats. When they associate the litter box with pain and discomfort, they will often start urinating outside of the box. It’s important for cat owners to understand why this behavior develops so the underlying UTI can be properly addressed.
What is a UTI?
A urinary tract infection (UTI) is an infection in any part of a cat’s urinary system, including the kidneys, ureters, bladder and urethra (VCahospitals.com).
UTIs occur when bacteria, usually E. coli from the gastrointestinal tract, enters the urethra and travels upwards into the bladder (Fremontvetclinic.com). Once in the bladder, the bacteria multiplies rapidly in the sterile environment of the urine, leading to an infection.
Common symptoms of a UTI in cats include (Webmd.com):
- Straining or crying out when urinating
- Urinating frequently but only in small amounts
- Bloody urine
- Licking their genitals frequently
If left untreated, UTIs in cats can spread to the kidneys and become life-threatening. So it’s important to get veterinary treatment for a suspected UTI right away.
Why UTIs Cause Litter Box Avoidance
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are a common cause of litter box avoidance in cats. According to research by the Kitty Help Desk, “cats often avoid their litter boxes when they have UTIs or bladder stones or other painful experiences during elimination.” [1]
When a cat has a UTI, urination becomes very painful and uncomfortable. This causes the cat to associate the litter box with that pain and discomfort. Essentially, the cat avoids the litter box in an attempt to avoid pain while urinating. The litter material itself can be very irritating on inflamed and painful urinary tract tissues.
Even after the UTI has been treated and resolved, the negative association can remain. The cat remembers the litter box as being an unpleasant place to eliminate, and so continues avoiding it. Retraining is often necessary in these cases, which involves re-associating the litter box with positive rewards through techniques like scent attraction. But the underlying cause, the UTI, must be treated first under veterinary supervision.
In summary, urinary tract infections make urination painful and make the litter box an unpleasant place for cats. This causes them to avoid the litter box altogether. Managing UTIs and removing the source of discomfort is key to getting cats to consistently use their litter box again.
[1] https://www.kittyhelpdesk.com/help-desk/cat-avoiding-litter-box-after-uti
Other Health Issues to Rule Out
Though UTIs are a common cause of litter box avoidance in cats, there are some other health problems that could lead to this behavior. It’s important to rule these out as potential causes before assuming your cat’s litter box avoidance is due to a UTI.
Kidney disease is one issue that may result in a cat avoiding the litter box. As kidney dysfunction progresses, it can become painful for a cat to urinate. This pain and discomfort can cause them to associate the litter box with that unpleasant sensation, leading them to avoid using it.
Arthritis is another condition that could make using the litter box uncomfortable. Cats with arthritis in their legs, hips, or spine may find getting in and out of the litter box difficult and painful. The discomfort may cause them to search out easier places to eliminate.
Feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD) is a condition that causes urine crystals to develop, leading to irritation, inflammation, and blockages in the urinary tract. Like UTIs, FLUTD can make urination very painful, which may cause litter box avoidance.
It’s important to have your vet examine your cat to diagnose the specific cause of their litter box problems. Proper treatment of underlying medical issues is key to resolving inappropriate urination issues in cats.
Treatment Options
Treating a cat’s UTI typically involves a course of antibiotics prescribed by a veterinarian. Common antibiotics used for UTIs in cats include Amoxicillin, Cephalexin, Cefpodoxime, and Enrofloxacin (source). The type and dosage of antibiotic will depend on the particular bacteria causing the infection. Antibiotics are an important part of treatment, as the infection will likely not resolve on its own.
Pain medication may also be prescribed to help a cat feel more comfortable while the infection clears. Drugs like Buprenorphine or Meloxicam can help with urethral inflammation and bladder discomfort. Making dietary changes, like increasing water intake, changing food consistency, or using urinary health prescription diets, may also be recommended.
It is important for cats to complete the entire course of prescribed antibiotics, even after symptoms improve. Stopping medication early can lead to recurrence. Typically the antibiotics need to be given for 2-4 weeks. In severe or recurrent cases, longer treatment may be needed. Follow up vet visits to confirm the UTI is fully resolved are also important.
Making the Litter Box Comfortable
One of the key things you can do to encourage your cat to use the litter box again is making sure it is a comfortable place for them. Here are some tips on litter type, cleanliness, and location that can help:
Use a softer, unscented clumping litter while your cat has a UTI, as this will be gentler on their paws and not irritate their urinary tract. Some good options are lightweight clay or paper litters. Stay away from scented, crystalline, or sandy litters that could sting or contain chemicals that may aggravate their condition (https://www.kittyhelpdesk.com/help-desk/cat-avoiding-litter-box-after-uti).
Keep the litter box extremely clean during this time – scoop waste at least twice a day. Cats like a pristine litter box, so allowing waste or dirty litter to build up could deter them from using it. Disinfect the box weekly with a pet-safe cleaner (https://www.ddfl.org/resources/solving-litter-box-problems/).
Have at least one litter box per cat, plus an extra, spread out in multiple spots around your home for easy access. Make sure the boxes are in quiet, low traffic areas. Your cat may avoid a noisy, crowded location if they are already feeling discomfort (https://www.neamc.com/blog/feline-urinary-tract-disease).
Retraining Your Cat
Retraining your cat to use the litter box after a UTI requires patience and positive reinforcement. Here are some tips for getting your cat back into a regular litter box routine:
Start by placing the litter box in the same spot it was previously. Fill the box with fresh, clean litter. You may want to try a new litter that your cat hasn’t had any negative experiences with before. Some cats prefer unscented clumping litter. Solving Litter Box Problems
Set up a routine for your cat of eating followed by spending time in the litter box. After meal times, place your cat in the litter box and provide praise and treats when they use it. You can continue this routine multiple times per day.
Clean accidents outside of the litter box immediately with an enzymatic cleaner to remove odors. This will discourage your cat from peeing in the same spots. How To Retrain A Cat To Use Litter Box After UTI
Try different litters or box styles if your cat seems unsure. Some cats prefer covered boxes for privacy. Litter attractants can also entice cats back into the box.
With positive reinforcement and repetition, most cats can be retrained to regularly use the litter box again after a UTI. But if problems persist, consult your veterinarian.
Preventing Future UTIs
One of the most important ways to prevent UTIs from recurring is to keep your cat well hydrated. According to this article, increasing your cat’s water intake can help flush bacteria from the urinary tract. Make sure your cat has access to fresh, clean water at all times. Consider getting a cat water fountain, which many cats prefer over a regular water bowl. You can also add a little low sodium broth or tuna juice to the water to encourage drinking.
Feeding an appropriate diet is also important for UTI prevention. Wet cat food has a high moisture content and can help with hydration. There are also prescription urinary tract diets available that promote a healthy urinary tract. Your vet may recommend supplementing your cat’s diet with compounds like D-mannose, cranberry extract, or probiotics, which can help prevent bacteria from adhering to the urinary tract lining according to this source.
When to See the Vet
After starting an antibiotic treatment for a cat UTI, you should see an improvement in symptoms within a few days. However, if the symptoms persist or worsen after starting treatment, it’s time to take your cat back to the vet. It’s important to continue the full course of antibiotics, usually at least 7-10 days, but the antibiotic may need to be changed if it’s not resolving the infection.
Some signs that the current antibiotic is not working include:
- Continued straining or crying out when urinating
- Urinating outside the litter box
- Blood in the urine
- Little or no improvement in symptoms
You should also call your vet right away if your cat stops eating, seems lethargic, or has other signs of feeling ill after starting treatment. An untreated UTI that spreads to the kidneys can quickly become life-threatening, so it’s important to monitor how your cat is responding to treatment. Don’t delay – call the vet if symptoms don’t improve within 1-2 days of starting antibiotics.
Some cats may need a longer course of antibiotics, sometimes 6 weeks or more, to fully clear up the infection [1]. Your vet may also want to recheck a urine culture after treatment to confirm the UTI has resolved. With prompt vet care and monitoring, most cats make a full recovery from a urinary tract infection within 7-10 days [2]. But if symptoms persist or your cat seems ill, be sure to follow up with your vet right away.
[1] https://www.smalldoorvet.com/learning-center/medical/uti-in-cats/
[2] https://www.petmd.com/cat/conditions/urinary/utis-cats-urinary-tract-infections-cats
Conclusion
In summary, urinary tract infections are a common cause of litter box avoidance in cats. The inflammation and pain associated with a UTI can make using the litter box uncomfortable. While there could be other medical issues at play, a vet checkup is recommended to diagnose or rule out a UTI. If a UTI is found, antibiotics and pain relievers can help clear up the infection while also making the cat feel better.
To support your cat, keep the litter box clean, try different litters, use cat attractants, add more boxes, and don’t punish accidents. With treatment, you can retrain your cat to use the litter box again. Preventative care like adequate hydration, wet food diet, and supplements can help avoid recurrent UTIs in the future. If litter box avoidance persists even after treatment, further medical investigation and behavioral modification may be needed. The key is patience, care, and working with your vet to get to the root cause and keep your cat healthy and comfortable.