Your Cat Needs A Set Routine
Did you know your cat is a little bit of a control freak? Cats love to have their own routines and purrfect lifestyle – so anything that interrupts their schedule can make them feel anxious or stressed. To gain back a feeling of contentment and control in their environment, a common stress response is to urinate in unexpected places. So try to find out what might be concerning your kitty, and make sure you keep them to a regular routine. For example, you should always feed your cat at the same time each day.
Understanding Your Cat’s Basic Needs
Cats are creatures of comfort, and if their routine suddenly changes or they find themselves under an unusual amount of stress, this can result in that nervous energy showing up on your sheets.;;”Cats have three essential needs: safety, security and stimulation,” K.C. Theisen, former director of pet care issues for the Humane Society of the United States, told The Dodo. “Safety is that they are not threatened or harassed, and have easy access to fresh food, clean water and shelter.”
“Security means they can get away from people or things they don’t like, can get to elevated hiding places and have a routine they can count on in the home,” she added. Stimulation reflects a cats need to be a predator, and chase and hunt toys in the home. A cat who cannot express their natural behaviors or is bored may act out inappropriately.
The good news, Theisen said, is once you attend to these needs, unwanted behaviors often go away.
What this means is that if youre able to pinpoint the need that isnt being met for your cat, youll be able to make the change that can help your cat feel like himself again.;
Here are some of the most common:
How To Stop Cats From Peeing On Furniture
So youâve just had your new kitty for a few months now and everything is going well, until suddenly you notice a strange smellâ¦
Itâs not coming from the litter tray, and itâs certainly not the trash. So what could is it?
After some inspecting around the house, you find itâs coming from your furniture, what the!?
Unless your furniture usually smells of pee, itâs likely your cat has been up to no good. Known as spraying or marking, sometimes cats like to leave their scent around the house by peeing.
If your cat has just started peeing on furniture then donât worry, itâs not a permanent thing. With the right guidance and training, you can stop your cat from peeing and leaving a foul stench.
But before we look at ways to stop your cat from peeing everywhere, why exactly do they do it in the first place?
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What Is Litter Box Avoidance
The act of not wanting to pee in the litter box is called litter box avoidance and it is a common occurrence in cats. If a cat associates its litter box with a negative experience it may decide to pee outside the box or in the bath tub. The bath tub is like a large, clean, litter box to a cat so it is an obvious second choice for many felines.
Clean Up All Urine Accidents Properly To Discourage Peeing Outside The Box
Between your care as a cat parent and the help of your veterinarian, youll have your kitty on the mend and back in the litter box soon. And one more thing: make sure you clean up any urine outside of the litter box completely, so that your cat doesnt return to that area to pee again. This is very important for re-training them to use the litter box and not picking up new habits. Try ARM & HAMMER Pet Stain and Odor Eliminator Plus OxiClean to neutralize the urine smell and remove stains.
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Why Is My Cat Peeing On My Bed
One of the most annoying moments a cat owner might face is waking up to the smell of pee and realizing your cat peed on your bed while you were asleep. In some cases, your cat might even pee on the bed right in front of you! Of course, you immediately wonder why your cat is doing this. Don’t worry; your cat isn’t urinating on your bed because he’s mad at you. Your cat might pee on your bed for a variety of reasons, and you’re not powerless to stop this frustrating problem.
Cats Can Pee On Humans Because They Dont Like The Litter Being Used
Cats are notoriously fickle about the litter being used in the box.
If they cant stand it for absolutely any reason, they may put off using the litter box, then again, accidentally go right at the point where theyre snuggling on your lap because they just couldnt hold it anymore.
If youve recently changed litters, this may be the culprit. Try changing back.
If you arent sure which litters to try, but think this may be the problem, note that unscented litters are a lot better liked than scented litters.
Struggling with stinky litter and tried a scented litter to mask that smell? Use these tips to keep litter smells away.
My favourite tip is to try to grab a clumping cat litter, even if you dont need your litter to clump because you dont put your cats litter down the toilet.]
Clumping litters greatly reduce smells in my experience because they allow you to get rid of all the urine in the litter much more easily.
The only cat litter Ive used in years? Worlds Best Cat Litter. Its made of whole-kernel corn and is very good at reducing especially urine smells. Check out my review of it here if youre interested.
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Cats Will At Times Pee On Their Humans When They Have Utis
UTIs are fairly common in cats especially male cats who dont drink enough water on a day-to-day basis. Considering how common they are, and how likely they are to be the culprit in this particular case, its really important you take your cat to the vet and let him or her know what your cats behaviour has been like.
A few other indicators your cat most likely has a UTI include:
There are special diets cats often prescribe cats who have regular UTIs, so please ask about those as well as any preventative measures your vet may recommend if your cat struggles with them often.
He Doesnt Like The Litter Boxs Location
Like people, cats prefer peace and quiet when using the litter box. If his litter box is in a noisy or highly trafficked area, he might get fed up after a while. Youll also want to avoid putting his litter box by a noisy washing machine or appliances that turn on at random times like a furnace.
Keep in mind that hell also want an area that has enough light for him to see what hes doing, as well as enough space to escape if he gets interrupted by another pet.
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Incorrect Litter Box Type
Although you may like the convenience of having a covered litter box that helps to conceal and block odors, it may restrict your cats movements and make them hesitant to use it. Also, if your litter box is too small for your cat to easily move around, they may start to avoid it.
Your furniture is an ideal place for them to pee because there are no covers to restrict their movement, its open with plenty of escape routes, and its higher in the air to make them feel more secure.;
Your Kitty Is Not Being Spiteful
Many people naturally assume that a cat that is urinating on their bed is doing it out of spite; that she is angry about something and trying to get back at her owner. This is not the case. Rather, your cat is simply trying to cope with something, either a medical condition or some type of stressful situation, and felines cope differently than humans do.
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Tip : Make Sure There Is No Problem With The Litter Box
Be observant. Make sure your cat’s litter box is in a safe and private place. Your cat should feel comfortable peeing there. Change the litter frequently. If you change it once in two days, start changing it once a day. If your cat uses the bathroom often, try changing the litter couple of times in a day.
Cats don’t like dirty litter boxes.
You should deodorize the area where the litter box is. It should smell pleasant, so your cat isn’t grossed out. Also, if you have an old cat, replace its litter box with one that has shorter sides. Arthritis may be bugging your cat, so it’s not feasible to enter a box that has high sides.
Also, place one litter box on each floor if your house has two floors. Otherwise, place two on the same floor at different spots. Give each cat a separate litter box if you have more than one adorable furballs.
Sizes Of The Litter Box Is Not Good For Cat
Your feline will value a litter box big enough to stand and do his business in without being crowded or hanging over the edge. If provided the choice, most of cats prefer a big box to a smaller sized one. The height of the litter box can be an issue for senior cats with mobility issues due to arthritis or other painful conditions too. These felines will likely appreciate a box with lower sides to make entering and leaving the box much easier. Hoods covering the litter box are likewise bothersome for many felines. Though hoods do develop privacy, they also develop a dark and possibly uneasy environment with just one way in or out for your cat. In addition, hoods tend to trap odors that your feline may discover objectionable. A hooded litter box may just be an invite for your cat to discover a various and possibly undesirable place to pee and poop.
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The Litter Box Isn’t In A Good Location
Think about how you do your own bathroom business. You have a door you can shut. You’ve probably got the room decorated with knickknacks. Doesn’t your cat deserve some privacy and pleasantry, too?
“Perhaps your litter box is in a busy area, or its next to a noisy appliance like a clothes dryer, or one that turns on at random times like a furnace,” says Paula Garber, a certified feline training and behavior specialist based out of Briarcliff Manor, New York, and who runs Lifeline Cat Behavior Solutions.
Or maybe the cat box was in an ideal spot but as the years have gone on, it’s not so convenient any more.
“Maybe the litter box is in the basement, but the cat spends most of his time on the second floor of the house. Cats can see well in low lighting but they do need some light to see. If the litter box is in a dark place with no light, a cat might be less inclined to use it, especially in a multi-cat household,” Garber says.
There could be other location issues as well, Garber says. Maybe your cat has to pass the dog’s favorite resting spot on the way to the litter box and is frequently chased. Or perhaps, Garber says, “Maybe the litter box is tucked into a closet with no escape routes to avoid another cat that enters.”
Look For Issues With The Litter
Your cat might pee on your bed because he’s really uncomfortable with his;litter box. You need at least one litter box per household cat, plus one additional box.1;Put them in different locations throughout the house, including at least one spot in a private area away from noise and traffic.
Now is the time to experiment with all different types of boxes. Try covered and uncovered, as well as large and small boxes. You also want to try boxes with an open side that doesn’t require stepping over to get into.
Test different kinds of litter to discover if your cat has a preference. Cats that were once outdoors a lot might prefer a box with outdoor soil mixed with litter. Some cats with long fur might not like clay litter because it sticks to their fur, but they’ll love crystal litter. Other cats may prefer pine, while some need litter that doesn’t have a fragrance. Some cats like clumping litter and others won’t touch it. Other cats may not use a box if it has a liner. You also want to experiment with the litter’s depth, and remember to clean it frequently.
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Too Many Cats Not Enough Litter Boxes
Some cats have no problem sharing a litter box with one or more cats, and other cats will refuse to share a litter box. If you have more than one cat and one litter box, one cat may break away and start to look for other places to go to the bathroom like on your couch or furniture.
Generally speaking, the rule of thumb is to have;1.5 litter boxes per cat, per household. So, one cat has two litter boxes, two cats have three litter boxes, three cats have five litter boxes, and so on. Each cat can claim their own.;
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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Determining The Cause Of Inappropriate Urination
Figuring out the underlying cause of inappropriate urination starts with a thorough history and complete physical exam, including a urinalysis that is run right away to look for crystal formation, blood tests to look for diabetes, kidney disease, and hyperthyroidism.
Often, we will also recommend bladder imaging, such as X-rays or an ultrasound, to look for bladder stones and possibly at kidney health.
If all tests check out, well explore possible behavioral causes. Here is where a house call visit from a veterinarian experienced in cat behavior can be very helpful in assessing life from the cats point of view.
Fortunately, there is hope for most cats that are urinating outside the litter box if the problem is addressed quickly, before it becomes a more serious medical issue or a habit, if its a behavioral issue.
Cats That Urinate Inappropriately May Have A Medical Problem
The first thing you must consider anytime your cat is urinating outside of the litter box is that she might have a medical problem. Urinary tract infection, diabetes, and kidney disease are all common conditions in cats that can cause an inability to make it to the litter box or an aversion to using the box.
If your cat urinates on your bed or anywhere else that isn’t the litter box, make an appointment with your veterinarian right away.
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How Will I Know If The Problem Is Improving
“If frequency of elimination in the litter box is not increasing, changes to the treatment plan or an alternate diagnosis may need to be considered.”
Good record keeping is essential to gauge treatment success. In many cases there will initially be an increase in litter box use and a concurrent decrease of elimination in other locations, which will eventually be followed by a total and complete return to litter box usage. Therefore, keeping track of where elimination takes place on a daily basis should help track improvement or the lack of change. If frequency of elimination in the litter box is not increasing, changes to the treatment plan or an alternate diagnosis may need to be considered.
Your Cat Might Have Separation Anxiety
Kitties are not socially solitary they often form close attachments with people and other animals. Sensitive kitties can become anxious when their favorite person is away from them for an extended period of time. These;cats;might respond to the absence by peeing on the bed or the couch that is;saturated with their humans scent. Theyre mingling their own scents with that of their beloved.
Although ,;there are steps;you can take that will help your cat feel more secure when left alone. These include enlisting someone to either stay with your cat or visit at least twice a day. During their visits they should interact with her, doing activities she enjoys, such as play and maybe grooming. Your scent can help your kitty feel like she hasnt been abandoned. Before leaving, place small towels and other articles of clothing that have your scent on them in sealable plastic bags one for each day youll be away. Your cat sitter needs to put one new scented item out every day for your cat.
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