peeing outside of litter box

by Rose
(Taunton MA)

I have 4 cats - 3 female (Princess 14, Sasha 11, Pookie 2)and Charlie 3 years old. They're all declawded, spayed and neutered. One of them is peeing right in front of the litter box and I think is because an UTI. It doesn't happen every day and is only in front of that particular box! Any suggestions on how can I find out which one is doing it? I have 3 boxes all lined up and never had a problem before. Today after peeing twice ouside, I changed the location of that particular box and so far no problem. I don't believe is a behavior problem, they get along pretty well.
The vet said he needs an urine sample - easy said than done - with 4 cats, how do I do it? I love my cats very much, they're my kids and I want them healthy and happy. I appreciate any advice/suggestion to solve this matter.

RESPONSE:

This is the hardest part of living in a multiple cat household - finding the sick cat! You need to be hyper-observant and try to catch the cat in the act. You can alo try isolating them individually and see if one of them does not use the box. However, since you said that you have not had any problems since you relocated the box, it is very possible that the problem is behavorial. Something may have happened to one of them when they were in the box and now they are scared of that box. Keep the boxes seperated from each other and see if the problem is corrected. If not, there is a dye (you can get the dye mixed with water from your vet) called Flourescein that will cause the urine to glow bright apple green under ultraviolet lite. Untreated pee is yellow. You can get an ultraviolet lite at the pet store. Give it to one cat at a time and change the cat getting it after you find urine in front of the box that is not dyed. Once you know who is doing it, you can address the problem. The other option is to get all of the cats' urine tested. The vet cat get a sample by aspirating urine directly from the bladder thru the abdomen using a small needle. Much more invasive, stressfull and costly - see if you can try the dye first. Good hunting!

Donna - House Full Cats Mom