Cats Will Also Pee On Humans At Times If Their Litter Box Is Unclean
Sometimes cats do something that may resemble punishing their pet parents with urination in weird places, but this isnt about punishment at the end of the day.
Its about letting you know theres something wrong about their environment, and the first and most obvious place this is likely to be if theres a cat who peed in a place he or she shouldnt is their litter box.
Cats dont like to use the litter box when it smells or is dirty.
There are many who will go so far as to avoid using it until its clean, but this could easily mean having an accident on a human lap or while sleeping in bed with a human if theyve delayed using the loo for too long.
Litter Or The Litter Box May Be Lead To Peeing Outside The Box
The least worrisome reason why a cat may be peeing outside the litter box is a fault with the litter or the box itself. Something may have happened that makes the box unappealing to your kitty, and they dont want to use it. Consider:
- Is the litter box in need of scooping or a complete change? Cats do not like using a dirty box and may choose to go elsewhere.
- Did you change the type of litter you were using? Some cats are flexible but others have definite preferences for texture or scent.
- Can your cat reach the litter box? Did something obstruct it, or is your cat no longer able to easily jump through the opening due to age or weight gain?
- Did you change the location of the litter box? Kitty may not like where it now is.
- Did something happen in or near the litter box that spooked your cat? Consider if something fell, they were ambushed by another animal, or there was a loud, unexpected noise while they were in it. Your cat may associate the litter box with a lack of safety and privacy now and not want to use it.
A first attempt at solving a cat peeing outside of the litter box problem is to address any of these issues. Empty and clean out the litter box and refill with a litter your cat prefers. ARM & HAMMER Clump & Seal Litter is used by millions of cat parents and minimizes the smell of cat urine and feces, making the box more pleasant for you and kitty.
Urinating Outside The Litter Box: What To Do When Its Behavioral
Nothing is more frustrating for owners than inappropriate urination, and its the leading cause of feline surrenders. Once youve diagnostically ruled out medical reasons for inappropriate urination with your veterinarian, the next step is to isolate what environmental elements are causing your cats unwanted behavior. With owner dedication, behavioral inappropriate elimination can be rehabilitated helping you and your cat to have a better quality of life.
What are the behavioral causes of inappropriate urination?Behavioral disorders that result in urinating outside the litterbox generally fall into one of two categories: dislike of or aversion to the litterbox and new sources of stress.
Why would your cat start disliking the litterbox?A number of different things might make your cat reluctant to use its litterbox. Inaccessibility is one obvious reason why a kitty might start going elsewhere. Other causes could include the following:
- The litterbox has not been cleaned frequently enough for the cats taste.
- There are not enough litterboxes for all the cats in the household.
- The kittys litterbox is too small, making it more difficult to use.
- The box has a hood or a liner that bothers the cat in some way.
- The owners are trying a new brand of litter, and the feline simply does not like it.
- The cat prefers other surfaces, such as carpets, potting soil or bedding, over the litterbox.
Make sure you never:
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Stress Is Causing The Spray
Sometimes unexpected urinating is a way for your cat to say that theyre not feeling happy. There are lots of things that can affect how our pets feel, so its important to understand what is causing stress.
Common kitty stress factors can include:
- A change in routine
- Changes in the environment, such as a new baby, other cats, different people in thehouse, or disruption such as decorating
- Competition for resources such as scratching posts, toys, food or space
- Contact with other neighborhood cats – who they may see through the window, intheir territory and could be scaring your kitty!
So if your cat is spraying or urinating on furniture, against walls or in other unusual places, try to figure out if something is worrying them. Stress can create other problems too, such as widespread house scratching and kitty conflict.
What Can I Try First
Although correcting house soiling can take a great deal of time and effort and may require a fairly extensive behavioral assessment, there are cases when a few simple suggestions might do the trick. You can start with determining whether you made a change to the litter or litter area around the time the problem started; if so, switch back to the preferred litter or site. Alternately try a different type of litter such as one that is clumping. Many cats dislike kitty litter that contains strong deodorizers or perfumes. Cleaning the soiled spots with odor eliminators may help prevent re-soiling. Ensure that you provide one more litter box than the total number of cats in the home, in at least two different locations . Consider putting one of the boxes near to the area where the soiling occurs. Clean the boxes daily and change the litter in the boxes weekly. If after a couple of weeks the problem has not resolved, then a more intense evaluation of the factors that might be causing the problem will be required and other treatments may be needed.
“The first step you should take is to review the basics of litter box training.”
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Finding Comfort On Your Comforter
Some cats urinate on their owners beds if the owners work long hours or travel. Sometimes the inappropriate episodes occur either when an owner is out of the house or out of town, or the cat may wait until the owner returns home. It is a cat’s way of communicating how unhappy or stressed he has been over your absence. Sometimes a cat may urinate on the side of the bed of the person with whom the cat has a conflict. I have seen this occur when an owner brings home a new partner or a housemate moves in and the cat is not immediately accepting of the new person in his life. Sometimes a move may be a catalyst for urinating on the bed. These various scenarios may be stressful for the cat, and the cat may want to intermingle his own scent with the owners scent on the bed. It is important to remember that the cat is not being spiteful if this happens it is simply that the intermingling of these odors may prove comforting to the cat. Because it can be difficult to pinpoint exactly what’s causing the cat’s anxiety, it’s important to work with a veterinarian or veterinary behaviorist to identify the cause and determine the correct steps to help remedy the situation.
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If your cat suddenly starts peeing outside of the litter box and urinating all over the house, it might just put the bond between you and your adorable furball to the test as well as your patience! But whats causing this out-of-the-ordinary behavior? And what can you do about it? Read on to find out. Or read more cat-friendly articles on the Tractive blog.
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Move Their Litter Tray
Another way to stop your cat from spraying is by moving the position of their litter tray. Sometimes if a litter tray is in a noisy or hard to reach place, it can often put your cat off from doing their business. Maybe you have it next to a washing machine thatâs constantly making noise. Or perhaps you have it in another room that requires you to open the door every time they need to go.
Moving your cats litter tray can sometimes fix inappropriate peeing overnight. We recommend moving it to somewhere thats well lit, easily accessible and quiet. Then your cat has no reason no excuse not to use their litter tray.
A Cat Who Feels Threatened By Other Cats In The House May Pee On A Human To Mark Them As Their Territory
Male cats who are un-neutered are especially likely to scent what they feel is their territory with urine markings, though this really only happens when they feel threatened by other cats, such as those they live with at home.
Most cats will scent without the use of urine by rubbing their faces and bodies against surfaces like chairs, beds, door frames, and cat trees.
This type of scenting is typically enough for them to feel safe and secure, surrounded by their own smell.
But an exceptionally anxious, stressed cat who feels threatened by other cats, such as one or more felines who live with them, may begin to urine mark as a sign of extreme stress and anxiousness towards the cat or cats in question.
Your cat all likely feel as though you are their territory, and thus if one or more mark you with urine, its an indication of a bigger problem.
If you find your cat marking with urine around many different areas of your home, and has a strained relationship with one or more of your cats, as well as having peed on you, this may be the problem.
Neutering or spaying the cat in question will go a long way in helping resolve the aggression and anxiety, as will re-introducing the cats if this is really whats going on.
Check out the Humane Societys guide on what to do to if your cat is marking if your cat happens to pee around the house.
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Do Cats Pee In The House For Attention
Cats often urinate in unusual places to get their owners attention when they are feeling unwell. Further, cats often urinate in unusual places in an effort to reassert their claim to territory, this need often arising from psychological stress and psychological stress can easily lead to a disease state.
Put Mouthwash On Your Furniture
A common method that many owners have had success with is using mouthwash to stop cats from peeing on furniture. As crazy as it may sound, there is some reasoning behind it. By spraying mouthwash over your furniture it gives off a strong smell that cats donât like. This means theyâll stay away from the furniture at all costs, or until the smell fades away.
If you have other furniture in your house, then be sure to spray that or else theyâll just find somewhere new to leave their business.
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Scents In Or Near Litter Box
Cats are much more sensitive to scents than most people are.
It is best to avoid scented cat litter, especially if you are having a problem with your cat not wanting to use the litter box. The chemically added scents in commercial cat litters are very strong and can be enough to keep cats out of the box.
Look around the room where their litter box is placed. Remove any air fresheners, candles or other home fragrances. In an effort to make their litter box space as welcoming as possible, it’s necessary to remove any items that may cause them to avoid the space.
Reasons Why Your Cat Is Peeing On Your Bed
Cats can often be perceived as emotionally detached and aloof, but they are in fact, highly sensitive. And when they want to tell us something, they often communicate with us in ways we might not always recognize.
If your cat is peeing on your bed, Fluffy is probably trying to tell you something. No idea what that could be? Here are some possibilities:
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Just About Everywhere May Be Due To Scent Marking
An intact male cat that has reached sexually maturity may spray around your house to mark his territory. This is a common behaviour and one that may be rectified by neutering him as soon as possible. However, some older male cats can continue with this behavior even after theyve been altered. To prevent this from occurring male kittens should be neutered no later than 6 months-of-age.
Inappropriate Cat Peeing And Separation Anxiety
If your cat is peeing on your bed, pillows, or clothes, especially while you are gone, it might be a symptom of separation anxiety. Talk with your veterinarian or a cat behavioral specialist about ways you can help your kitty feel more secure. Medication, changes in playtime with your cat, getting her a companion, or other tactics may help.
Also, make sure whoever is taking care of your cat while you are gone keeps up certain routines and maintains a clean litter box. As above, these changes in schedule and environment may exacerbate stress and peeing outside the litter box.
Most cats resume normal litter box usage once the underlying stressors causing anxiety are under control. If youre still having trouble, talk with your veterinarian.
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Attraction To Another Location
As mentioned previously, cats like to toilet in places that are easily accessible, quiet, and have specific odors, and if the litter box is not meeting their needs, they often will find somewhere else that is more preferable. Additionally, when a cat has marked an area, it is essential to do a deep cleaning of that spot as soon as possible, as cat urine can soak through to the padding of the carpet, making it almost impossible to fully eliminate, and will continue to attract them to use this location. ;Using enzymatic cleaners such as Natures Miracle helps to naturally break down the components of urine to eliminate the smell. You should always avoid harsh chemicals or those with intense scents, as this may cause your kitty to want to mark over it.
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For Kittens Weeing And Pooping Outside Of The Box
A reader recently inquired about a cat peeing outside litter box and pooping outside of the litterbox and we had a . ;Here were some of the suggestions, including many of those listed above.