Understanding Cat Behavior Can Help You Stop Your Cat from Urinating in the House

Urinating in the house (outside the litter box) is one of the top reasons cats end up in shelters. Once they're in the shelter, they have only a 30% percent chance of being adopted, according to ASPCA statistics. (1) Yet many these cats may have been able to stay in their homes if their human caretakers hadn't given up so soon.

Having a cat who pees on the carpets, the sofa, the linoleum, the bathroom sink, the potted plants, your bed, and generally stinks up the whole house is maddening. But both the behavior and the stubborn odors it leaves behind are entirely solvable once you understand why your cat is acting this way. That means you can get rid of cat urine problems instead of your cat.

Health Problems
If your cat has suddenly started urinating outside the litter box, your first step should be to make an appointment for a vet check up. Most health conditions that cause a change in urination behavior are treatable early on, but they do require prompt care. Some conditions, like diabetes and some food allergies, cause sudden and frequent need to urinate, so your cat may not be able to "hold it" in time to make it to the litter box.

Other conditions, like urinary tract infections (UTI), feline lower urinary tract disorder (FLUTD) and kidney conditions can cause painful urination, which the cat associates with the litter box. In attempt to avoid the pain, the cat seeks out a different location, usually a softer one like the bed, sofa or thick carpet. In fact, a urinary tract infection is a very common cause of cats urinating on the bed. At worst, especially if you have a male cat, the problem could be a blocked urethra. This can be fatal within days, so it's important to contact your vet immediately if your cat starts urinating in unsual places, straining to urinate, or you find blood in the urine.

Unattractive Litter Box
Don't worry, the fact that the litter box is tan and your cat would prefer black with red hot rod flames isn't enough to put him off the box. Other litter box problems, however, may do just that. One common problem is the size of the litter box. While most of us humans would prefer a smaller, less conspicuous box, cats like to have plenty of room to turn around and get comfortable. A small litter box can be so awkward to for the cat that she looks for a roomier bathroom spot, like the living room carpet. Most cats dislike covered boxes for the same reason. Cleanliness is another consideration. Covered boxes can get pretty smelly inside. What's more, there are cats who will not enter a litter box with any type of soiling in it.

Last but not least, there's litter type. Most cats prefer a fine-grained, gravel-type litter to pellets. Others need a softer litter like Feline Pine (chemical-free pine pellets) or World's Best Cat Litter (corn-based litter). In any case, try to avoid clay litters, which create dust that can cause respiratory problems. If you have kittens, avoid clumping litters, which are potentially fatal to kittens who ingest the litter when cleaning their paws.

Strongly scented litters, liners, cleaning solutions or air fresheners around the litter box also deter cats. Many cats dislike the smell of citrus, so avoid using citrus-scented cleaners on the litter box. The litter box should have a faint odor of cat urine, so kitty knows that's the bathroom spot.

Problems in the Environment
Stress and anxiety are also frequent causes of cats urinating in the house. Despite their lazy habits, cats are rather high-stung animals. They're so recently domesticated, compared to dogs, that they haven't really adjusted to life with humans, who can be pretty noisy and unpredictable at times.

Typical sources of stress include new people, animals or even new furniture in the house, increased activity like spring cleaning or holiday preparations, and increased noise such as nearby road work or home renovations. Someone else in the home may also be stressing out the cat. A toddler who's figured out that kitty's easy to sneak up on when she's in her litter box may be making the cat afraid to get into the box. Same goes for another cat who's intimidating the cat away from the litter box, which can happen in multi-cat homes.

How you treat the cat can lead to stress, too. A cat who isn't getting enough attention and playtime can become bored and then stressed. Try to give your cat at least two 15-minute play sessions daily. Improper training methods, like rubbing a cat's nose in the soiled area, can make cats fearful and stressed. Keep in mind that dog training techniques do not work with cats.

If you can't get rid of the source of stress, a feline pheromone diffuser can your cat calm down and adjust. These products produce a "chemical signal" that let's the cat know she's in a safe area. Another method is to build kitty a little private nook in an out-of-the-way place like a closet with the door braced open or top of a cupboard. Place bedding, food, water and a few toys here so the cat can hang out by herself for a while and relax.

The problem isn't that litter box avoidance issues are difficult to solve, it's that there are so many issues for cats urinating in the house that many people--even those experienced with cats--give up before they identify the problem. They'll try the obvious solutions and, if those don't work, they'll banish the cat to the backyard or give her to a shelter. Don't be that person! You can get rid of cat urine problems just by working with your cat's natural instincts and using the right cleaners (enzyme-based or homemade) to remove the stains and odors.

1) American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA): Pet Statistics