How to Stop Cats from Urinating in Inappropriate Places

There are several reasons why cats might urinate in areas they shouldn't. Cats may avoid using the litter box due to stress, health issues, or simply because the litter box hasn't been cleaned regularly. Depending on the cause, you might need help from a veterinarian. There are various steps you can take to encourage your cat to use the litter box instead of urinating on carpets or furniture. You could try a new type of litter box, clean the litter box more often, play near the litter box with your cat, and implement measures to stop your cat from urinating outside the box. Keep reading to learn more about how to prevent your cat from urinating in prohibited areas.

Consider how often you clean the litter box. Cats dislike using a dirty litter box and may start urinating elsewhere when they need to relieve themselves but the box is not clean. If you’re not cleaning the litter box daily, this could be the reason your cat is urinating in unwanted places.

• In addition to cleaning out the waste daily, you should replace the entire litter in the box weekly and wash the box with warm water and unscented soap or baking soda. After cleaning, dry the box and refill it with fresh litter.
• Consider using a self-cleaning litter box for easier maintenance.

Count the number of litter boxes in your home. You need more than one litter box per cat in the house. For example, if you have three cats, you should have four litter boxes. If you only have two litter boxes but three cats, this could be the reason your cat refuses to use the box to relieve itself.

Check if your cat has easy access to the litter box. If your cat has to travel a long distance to get to the litter box, or if the box makes it difficult to enter or exit, this could be why they are urinating inappropriately. You should place the litter box where your cat can easily reach it in a hurry, such as having one box at the top of the stairs and another at the bottom.

• Ensure your cat can see approaching people or animals and easily escape. Cats dislike being cornered.
• Provide an easily accessible litter box for older cats, with low sides for easy entry and exit.
• Place the litter box near the area where your cat frequently urinates.

Find out if the type of litter you are using is the issue. Cats may avoid using the litter box if they dislike the smell or texture of the litter, or if the box is too full. A shallow layer of fine or medium-grain litter is ideal, but you can try different types to see which your cat prefers.

• Give your cat a choice by placing two litter boxes, each with different types of litter, side by side. At the end of the day, check to see which one your cat uses.
• Use a shallow layer of litter. Most cats prefer a box with about 2.5 to 5 cm of litter.

Determine if the shape of the box is causing discomfort for your cat. Some cats may avoid the litter box because they dislike its size or shape. The liner in the box could also be bothering them. Try removing the liner and lid of the box to see if that changes their behavior.

• Consider the size of the box. A box that's too small might make your cat reluctant to use it.

Investigate whether stress is causing your cat's litter box issues. Your cat may be stressed by other pets, children in the house, or a noisy environment, leading it to avoid the litter box. Try placing the litter box in a quiet, slightly dark area away from high-traffic zones. If the box is placed where people or other pets frequently pass by, your cat may avoid using it.

• Consider using a Feliway diffuser to help your cat relax. This product releases a scent that many cats find comforting.

Consider your cat's current and past health condition. A cat's medical history may provide clues as to why it is avoiding the litter box. If you suspect illness, take your cat to the vet as soon as possible. Early treatment can resolve litter box issues and relieve your cat of pain and discomfort. Common health problems like urinary tract infections and interstitial cystitis in cats can lead to inappropriate urination.

• A urinary tract infection can cause a cat to associate the litter box with pain, making it avoid it even after treatment.
• Interstitial cystitis is another common condition that makes cats avoid the litter box. Affected cats may urinate outside the box due to the frequent urge to urinate.
• Kidney stones or urinary obstructions can also cause cats to develop a dislike for their litter box. Your cat may vocalize in pain while using the box, and the fear of discomfort can persist even after recovery.
• Remember that prompt treatment of these conditions is essential to prevent the cat's aversion to the litter box from continuing.

Determine if marking behavior is the cause of the issue. Marking behavior involves a cat spraying small amounts of urine around the house or on furniture to claim territory. The amount of urine is usually much less than when the cat urinates normally. If your cat is exhibiting this behavior, you will find many helpful suggestions in this article, and you may also need to take additional steps to stop this territorial marking.

• Marking behavior is most common in unneutered male cats, but intact females may also exhibit this behavior, making spaying and neutering important.
• Marking is also more common in homes with ten or more cats, so limiting the number of cats in the house to under ten could help resolve the issue.

Gradually move the litter box. If your cat starts urinating on carpets or other areas in the house, move the litter box to the new location to encourage your cat to use it. After a month, gradually move the box by 2.5 cm each day until it is back in the position you originally wanted.

Place lights in areas where your cat has been urinating inappropriately. Cats tend to seek out dark places for bathroom breaks, so areas like the corner of a cupboard may be particularly appealing to them. If your cat starts peeing on the floor or in dark corners, try putting a light there or consider using a motion-sensing light to stop them from urinating in those spots.

Turn your stair rugs or decorative mats upside down. Cats can gradually develop a preference for certain surfaces and may start using them as a toilet. Flipping the rugs over can prevent them from urinating there because the surface texture will be altered. Try this for a few days to see if it discourages your cat from peeing on them.

Place double-sided tape on your furniture. Cats dislike the sticky feeling of double-sided tape on their paws, which may stop them from urinating on the treated areas. Apply the tape to the edges of furniture and any spots your cat tends to use as a bathroom.

Clean cat urine with an enzyme cleaner. Cleaning the mess right away can help prevent your cat from urinating in the same spot again. Use an enzyme-based cleaner instead of one with ammonia. Ammonia-based cleaners can encourage your cat to urinate more in that spot because they mistake the ammonia scent for another cat’s urine and feel compelled to cover it with their own.

Trim the fur around your cat's back legs. Long-haired cats might develop an aversion to their litter box if they feel unclean after using it. Keeping their fur trimmed can encourage them to use the box more comfortably. You can also bathe your cat to remove any odors like urine or feces that might deter them from using the litter box.

• If you're having trouble bathing your cat, consider finding a trusted grooming service nearby.

Engage with your cat near its litter box. You can help improve your cat's negative association with the litter box by playing near it. Several times a day, try playing with your cat about a meter away from the litter box to create positive associations.

• Avoid rewarding your cat with treats when it uses the litter box. Cats generally don't enjoy being disturbed while they are relieving themselves.
• You may place treats and toys near the litter box, but refrain from placing food or water directly next to it. Cats dislike eating or drinking too close to their bathroom area.

Consult a veterinarian if the issue persists. Encouraging your cat to use the litter box requires time and patience, but it doesn't always succeed. Some veterinarians offer specialized training to help pet owners deal with issues like litter box avoidance. If your cat doesn't improve over time, you may want to consult an animal behaviorist or a vet specializing in animal behavior for guidance.

• If you have multiple cats and can't determine which one is urinating outside the litter box, ask your vet about using fluorescein to identify the culprit. By using a UV light, you can check the cat's urine. Fluorescein causes urine to change color in certain cats, making it easy to spot the offender.
• Always wear gloves when handling the litter box or disposing of the litter. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water after handling it.
• Consider installing a pet door if your cat is indoor/outdoor. A cat door will make it easier for your cat to go outside to relieve itself if it prefers to go outdoors instead of using the litter box indoors.

• Do not rub the cat's urine on its nose, pick the cat up and place it in the litter box, or confine the cat to a small room as a punishment. These actions won't solve the issue and may make it worse, as the cat will form a negative association with the litter box.
• Avoid using ammonia-based cleaners to clean up the cat's urine. These cleaning products can encourage the cat to urinate in the same spot again.