Hi everyone. I'm currently having an issue with my 14-month-old Maine Coon. He has started urinating next to his litter tray every day. It is just one wee; the others are done inside the tray. I usually find it next to it either in the morning when I get up or in the evening when I get home from work. Does anyone have any idea why this might be happening?
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At 14 months old, a Maine Coon is still young, so a change in behaviour is definitely worth looking into. The fact that he’s having one accident a day outside the litter tray could indeed have a medical cause, so a check-up with the vet is a good idea if you haven’t done so already.
If all is well on that front, I’d also look at what has changed recently: new litter, a different brand, the tray being moved, a new pet arriving, a change in routine, or even just stress. Maine Coons are sometimes more sensitive to change than we might think.
Another possibility: is the tray big enough? Many Maine Coons quickly outgrow standard litter trays and can end up peeing just outside them without necessarily meaning to. A very large open tray sometimes solves the problem.
Is the accident always in the same spot? That detail could provide a good clue as to the root of the problem. 😊
🐾 Chatzen 🐾
Hi there,
A cat that starts peeing outside their litter tray, even if they used it perfectly before, might be doing so for several reasons.
The first step is to rule out a medical cause, particularly cystitis, urinary crystals, or any other urinary tract issues. Even if it’s just one accident and the rest is in the tray, a trip to the vet is recommended to make sure there isn't an underlying health problem, as cats are very prone to recurring kidney and urinary issues.
If everything is fine medically, it could be a behavioural issue or something to do with the litter itself. The tray might not be clean enough for his liking, or it might have become too small (Maine Coons often need an extra-large tray). The type of litter or the location of the tray might no longer suit him, or a change in his environment or stress could also explain this behaviour.
You could try adding a second litter tray, choosing a larger one if you haven't already, cleaning the soiled areas with a suitable cleaner to eliminate odours, and seeing if he always pees in the same spot or under the same circumstances.
All the best,
Inès
