Reason : Medical Issues
First and foremost, your cat might pee on your carpet because of some medical problems. Kidney stone, urinary tract infections, diabetes, bladder infections are some of the main ones. Anyone of these can prevent your cats bladder from functioning properly.
If that is the case, your cat can become like a baby. It wont have control over its bladder so it may pee wherever its sitting.
How Do I Determine Which Cat Is Eliminating When I Have More Than One Cat
When there are multiple cats in the home, it may be difficult to determine who is actually soiling. Confinement of one or more cats may be necessary to discover who is not using the litter box. However, if social conflicts between cats contribute to the problem, separating cats may make the problem diminish or stop.
“Therefore, the best solution may be to place a video camera in the area where the soiling occurs.”
A fluorescent dye can be administered to one cat, and the soiled areas can then be evaluated with a black light to determine if that is the cat that is house soiling. However, results are not always consistent and the dye may stain some carpets. Therefore, the best solution may be to place a video camera in the area where the soiling occurs. For stool elimination a small amount of a nontoxic colored crayon can be chopped and mixed into the food of one of the cats.
Do Cats Pee Out Of Spite
As frustrating as your cats inappropriate urination can be, try to remember that your fur baby isnt a tiny, furry human. While were capable of experiencing complex emotions like spite, your kitty isnt trying to irritate you when she pees outside her litter box. You should take your cat to the vet for a checkup if she begins to urinate or defecate outside the litter box. Your feline friend may be irritated by changes in her surroundings, but cats dont pee out of spite.
Recommended Reading: Toddler Cat Shirt
Stressed Out Or Anxious Cats May Pee Everywhere
A cat who is anxious, nervous, or stressed may pee outside the box. This isnt revenge-peeing or holding a grudge though many humans blame passive-aggressive kitties.
A distressed cat can forget routines or legitimately have difficulty with bladder control. They also may not feel comfortable using the box due to whatever is stressing them out. Some factors to consider:
- Did you get a new pet, lose a pet, or foster some kittens? Did you have a baby or adopt a child? Your cat may feel uncomfortable and as if their territory has been invaded. New pets and children also make loud and unexpected noises, which no cat is a fan of. Repeated loud noises and erratic behavior can create underlying kitty stress that leads to peeing outside the box.
- Did you have a change in routine? A new work schedule or visitors to the home, an illness or injury? What about home renovations or a new appliance installation? Cats get nervous about changes to their home structure and may respond by inappropriate urination until they feel safe again.
Your veterinarian can help if you have a stressed-out kitty, with advice and behavioral modifications or perhaps with medication. If you can identify the likely cause and its something that wont continue , you can re-establish routine and see if the behavior clears up on its own once things are back to normal.
Is My Elderly Cat Spraying Or Urinating
There are 2 types of urine that a Cat does
One is urinating which is when your Cat sits down and just slightly above the ground and relieves himself.
If you fine urine in your house and its a puddle then that means your Cat has urinated
Spraying This is when your Cat lifts its erect and sprays urine leaving a couple of drops
You will find these drops mostly on horizontal surfaces such as curtains, doors, cupboards, by the window
When your Cat sprays then this means your Cat is marking his territory
If you have neutered your cat and hes still spraying then check out my article
This is one of the most common problems ALL Cat parents face.
My Cat loved marking his territory and would spray everywhere!
The worst thing is, you can never find where your Cat has sprayed because of the small drops
Im sure you Cat parents must have faced this situation
I couldnt take this behavior anymore so I bought Cat Spraying No More which is this really awesome guide that goes in depth on how to stop Cats from spraying permanently and it has been a big help in understanding why your Cat is spraying.
I would really recommend this guide to ALL Cat parents because the mistake we do when our Cat spray is shout at them and just live with it..
We need to understand why they spray and tackle the problem from its root
This is why Cat Spraying No More is essential for Cat Parents.
To be honest, it did look sketchy to me but Im glad I bought this!
In Conclusion
Read Also: 22 Year Old Cat In Human Years
Why Is My Cat Pooping The House
Many of our readers have reached out for advice on how to deal with a cat pooping in the house all of a sudden. As a cat owner, this type of behavior can be a huge burden to deal with especially if your kittens poop smells like death. Therefore, it is important to identify this type of behavior early and use this advice in this article to promptly fix the problem.
An Unclean Litter Box
I use the analogy of a Porta Potty, Lund says. Who wants to use one of those when it is dirty, and you can smell it before you see it, she says. The same is true for litter boxes. If you are lax in keeping the litter box clean, your cats will find somewhere else to go.
To keep your litter box clean, its important to scoop the litter every dayor multiple times a day if you have multiple cats in your home. Refresh the litter and do a deep cleaning of the box every few weeks. Keep in mind that the feline sense of smell is much stronger than ours, so a box that seems clean enough to you might still smell disgusting to your cat. This is especially true in multiple cat households. Smelling your own waste is one thing, being forced into close proximity to someone elses is an entirely different problem.
You May Like: Is Blue Buffalo Good Cat Food
Reduce Conflict Between Your Cats
Conflicts between multiple cats or the introducing a new cat may cause inappropriate urination.
If your cats got into an altercation in or near the litter box, they may choose to avoid the box rather than take the chance that another fight will happen if they use it. Separate your cats for a while to let the tensions fade, and then try gradually reintroducing them.
One cat may also be guarding the litter box. Make sure you have several litter boxes spaced out throughout your house so one cat cant prevent access to all the boxes at the same time. You may also consider an uncovered litter box so that your cat is always aware of their surroundings. This will help make them feel safer and less anxious.
The Cat Has A Medical Condition
Here are a few your veterinarian might want to check for.
- Urinary Tract Infection : A UTI is a bacterial infection that develops in the urinary system. It creates inflammation, which in turn causes pain and urgency, says Barnes. When cats have pain on urination, they tend to associate this with the litter box and will go elsewhere in an effort to make urination more comfortable.
- Feline Idiopathic Cystitis : FIC is a recurring bladder inflammation usually caused by stress or low water intake. Its most common in middle-aged to older male cats, says Barnes. The inflammation causes pain and urgency similar to a urinary tract infection.
- Urinary Stones:Urinary stones develop in the urinary system when the minerals contained in urine clump together . Stones cause inflammation which causes pain and urgency, as seen with UTIs and FIC, says Barnes.
- Diseases That Increase Thirst: A cat who drinks too much water may not make it in time to the litter box, says Barnes. Or they may use the litter box so much it becomes too dirty. Examples of diseases that cause increased thirst, says Barnes, are kidney disease and diabetes mellitus.
Other diseases linked to a cat peeing everywhere includehyperthyroidism, inflammatory bowel disease, cancer, and heart disease, says Dr. Katie Pagan, a partner veterinarian with Heart + Paw in Fells Point, Maryland.
You May Like: Funnel Chest Cat
What Would Cause A Cat To Pee Everywhere
Cats are typically fastidious creatures who hate being dirty, so a trip to the vet is in order if your fur baby is suddenly peeing outside her litter box. While your cat may be turning her nose up at her litter box for numerous reasons, underlying health conditions are the most concerning. Your kitty could be suffering from one of the following:
- A urinary tract infection
- Cancer
- Urinary obstruction
But health problems arent the only reasons a cat may urinate outside the litter box. The problem could be as simple as a dirty litter box. You should scoop your cats litter box daily and empty it completely once a week to prevent your cat from seeking other places to urinate and defecate. Its also possible that your fur baby dislikes where youve placed her litter box. Dont store litter boxes near your cats feeding area, or she may pee on your favorite chair instead of her box.
If your cats elimination issues began after you switched to a new brand of litter, youll probably want to go back to your old brand. Cats have extremely sensitive noses, so your fur baby may hate the smell of her new litter. Its also possible she hates the new litters texture. Either way, the best litter for your finicky feline is the litter shes willing to use.
A Problem With The Litter Box Itself
When your cat starts peeing in the house, the litter box should be considered. All too often, we ignore the obvious: You rush your cat to the vet fearing the worst, only to find out that the problem is a simple case of user error.
A cat that is unhappy with his box will stop using it. Think about it: would you use a dirty, smelly toilet? Of course not. Cats are very clean animals, and some of them are extremely finicky about their litter boxes.
If you can answer yes to any of the questions below, this may be your reason.
- Have you recently moved the box? Cats adore privacy and lots of space, so make sure the litter box is in the correct location.
- Is the litter dirty?
- Are there too few boxes to serve all the cats in your house?
- Is the cat ever prevented access to the litter box?
- Is the litter box placed in a cramped spot? Does the cat have any reason to fear getting trapped there or not being able to escape easily?
- Is the box located in a location that offers no privacy?
- Does the litter box have a hood or sides that are too high?
- Has your cat ever been upset or interrupted while using the box?
- Are there any reasons your cat might have negative associations with the litter box?
- Is your cat expressing a preference for peeing on certain surfaces or materials like carpet, fabric, or dirt?
Note: A cat that has been declawed will have special needs when it comes to litter. You may need to switch to paper litter that is softer on those delicate paws.
Don’t Miss: Why Do Cats Act Weird When You Scratch Their Lower Back
How To Stop A Cat From Urinating In The House
This article was co-authored by Pippa Elliott, MRCVS. Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years. This article has been viewed 55,488 times.
Most cats learn to use the litter box without much training. However, sometimes a cat might have issues urinating outside his litter box. This can be caused by stress, the location of the litter box, the type of litter, or an underlying medical condition. Figuring out the cause of your cat’s litter box problem and proceeding accordingly can help eliminate the problem.
How To Stop Inappropriate Litter Box Behavior
Perhaps the most common reason cats urinate inappropriately is that they dislike the litter box. If your cat is peeing everywhere and you’ve ruled out medical issues, then it’s time to reassess your litter boxes.
In general, the key to stopping inappropriate urination in cats or avoiding it altogether is as simple as being a responsible, attentive cat owner. Keep your cat healthy and visit the vet for routine care and as soon as issues crop up. Minimize stress in your cat’s environment and try to keep a cat-friendly, low-stress home.
Also Check: How Old Is A 12 Year Old Cat
Define The Problem: Is It Urination Or Spraying
When you discover pee where it doesnt belong, you need to determine whether it is the result of spraying or urination.
Cats urinate outside the litter box for different reasons than when they spray, so they require different types of treatment.
When cats spray, they usually stand in front of a vertical surface and squirt a relatively small amount of urine on it. So if you find a splatter of urine on the wall, your cat is probably spraying.
When cats urinate, they usually squat and leave behind a larger amount of urine on a horizontal surface .
You want to address spraying or urination outside of the litter box quickly, before it becomes normal behavior for your cat.
Your Kitty Isnt Successfully
Whereas a sudden change in habits may very well be attributable to emphasize or environmental modifications, its important to confirm that your cat is healthful and correctly illness or outdated age are frequent causes of inappropriate urinating. Its important to always confirm with a vet to rule out any medical factors, akin to a bladder an an infection, thats maybe affecting your pet.
Recommended Reading: Do Cats Whiskers Fall Out
Cat Suddenly Pooping In House
If your cat is suddenly pooping in your house, it is important that you clean the spot immediately. Not only will this prevent the smell from lingering, but it can also help deter your cat from pooping in the house in the future. If you wait to long to clean it up, your cat might get used to the smell and think it is normal to poop in the house. We recommend using an enzyme based cleaner to help completely remove the cat poop smell.
Make Sure The Litter Tray Is To Your Cats Liking
This can be difficult and may involve a long trial and error process! You should experiment with different litter tray types, different litters and different positions of the litter tray. You could also try purchasing multiple litter trays to place around the house to give your cat options. If you have more than one cat, it is particularly important that you get more than one litter tray to avoid conflict over resources which may lead to one of them peeing on the floor. You should also make sure litter trays are kept clean, but avoid using cleaning products that smell too strong.
Recommended Reading: How To Get A Kitten To Calm Down
Give Your Senior Cat Extra Tlc
For cats with arthritis who may have trouble getting around, place at least one litter box on each level of the house where they spend time so they can avoid climbing stairs, recommends Barnes. You can also purchase a low-profile litter box or cut a square in the litter box so the cat doesnt have to climb in.
How To Stop Your Cat From Inappropriate Peeing
- Check with your vet for any medical conditions. If your cat has a health problem, your vet will recommend the best treatment.
- Spend more time with your cat. Playing with your cat more can relieve their stress and anxiety.
- If your cat likes to cuddle, make sure you spend some time cuddling with them. This will help your cat feel comfortable.
- Make sure your home is a happy place for your cat. Give your cat more room to explore. Provide toys for your cat.
- Always consult your vet for the best methods of reducing stress and anxiety in your cat.
- Clean any places where your cat has peed inappropriately with an enzymatic cleaner. Your cat will stop marking in those places.
- Place treats close to where your cats pee inappropriately. If your cat is peeing on the bed, place treats there. Cats hate peeing near places where they eat. If you change the places where your cat pees to where they eat, they will stop peeing there.
- If your cat is peeing outside the litter box, make sure you clean the box regularly. Also, provide more litter boxes for your cat.
Cats may pee due to a health or behavioral problem. In order to solve the problem, you need to understand why they are peeing in other areas. Talk with your vet so that your cat gets the right treatment. For behavioral problems, spend more time with your cat so that they can get rid of stress and anxiety.
Also Check: Blue Cat Food Ingredients