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Cat's UTI symptoms returned. Why is she peeing outside the box again?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | Mixed Breed | Female | spayed | 12 years and 11 months old | 10 lbs

My cat recently had a vet visit and was treated for UTI with antibiotics. She was peeing outside her box all over the house and throwing up. She also was having strange behaviors and had lost weight. Antibiotics concluded 11/2 and her symptoms seemed to resolve. She gained some weight back, her behavior went back to normal. This week I caught her peeing outside her box again and Her behaviors are going back to how it was before the meds. All labs and workup were normal except UA. I’m at a loss.

4 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Lindsey Edwards MVB, BSc, IVCA

Veterinarian

Published on December 1st, 2018

It is not uncommon for cats with a history or urinary tract issues to have recurrences. Specialised urinary tract diets such as royal canin urinary or hills c/d foods work very well to promote dilute urine with a mild pH to prevent such relapses. Wet foods with stress supplements are the most effective in such ranges and antiinflammatories can also help with the spasm and discomfort associated with same.

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Other Answers

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    Answered By Dr. Massimo Orioles, DVM, Cert AVP, MRCVS

    Veterinarian

    Published on April 4th, 2017

    A part from antibiotics and other type of treatment, this condition (urinary tract inflammation) should be ideally investigated further by performing a urine analysis and either an x ray or (best) an abdominal ultrasound to determine any possible underlying cause. Stress related cystitis, urinary stones/crystals, infections and other more sinister causes as tumors may be present. Please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation (where you can post pictures ) if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further.

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    Answered By Jenny, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on April 22nd, 2018

    You may need to try a different food as often stress can induce these problems. Science diet makes a stress urinate formula to help. Make sure she drinks plenty of water or add in canned food can help also Has your vet checked a urine sample? Sometimes the pH can be off balance and crystals can form which can make things worse. If the infection is not resolved completely and the medicine finishes too soon then it can continue to come back a culture to make sure you are in the best antibiotics and to make sure you are on them completely is beneficial

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    Answered By Lauren M. Jones, VMD

    Veterinarian

    Published on August 2nd, 2017

    First of all, Elton John is one handsome guy! I imagine that you're beyond frustrated with all of his urinating around the house. Certainly a urinary tract infection can cause inappropriate urination, but other medical issues like crystals in the urine, bladder stones, stress-related cystitis (non-infectious bladder inflammation), or behavioral changes can as well. Ideally, I recommend taking Elton John back to his vet for a repeat urinalysis (to check for signs of ongoing infection, inflammation, and crystals) and possible x-rays (to check for bladder stones). If all medical issues have been ruled out, you may need to consider some behavioral modifications, such as adding an extra litter box to your house, using calming pheromone collars or diffusers ( http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=32866 ), or changing the litter type. I hope this helps and that all goes well!

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