Thinking outside the box – what to do if your cat is peeing in the house

Cats peeing where they shouldn’t can be a source of great frustration and anxiety for pet parents. Unfortunately, it is also a reason some people decide to re-home their animals.

Do a deep clean

If your cat starts to pee outside the litter box, get the spot cleaned up quickly and rinse the area with a pet friendly enzyme cleaner. Cats have an incredibly strong sense of smell and if the odour is not removed, they will continue to urinate on that spot. 

As frustrating as it may be, never yell at your kitty or rub her nose in it. This type of reaction won’t solve the issue and could lead to stress and further behavioural issues.

Rule out a medical condition 

Once all cleaned up, your next move should be to take your cat to a veterinarian. Health issues such as urinary tract infections, kidney disease, thyroid problems or diabetes are just a few of the issues that cause cats to soil outside the litter box. Age related issues that affect mobility or cognitive functions can make using the litter box difficult for aging cats.

Spaying or neutering your pet can resolve the issue of spraying, which is different than other house soiling. Cats spray to mark their territory and to indicate their readiness to mate.

Get the scoop on litterbox habits

Many cats are very persnickety when it comes to their toilet habits. If the litter isn’t changed  regularly, they may soil outside of the box or if they don’t like the feel of the litter or even the location of the litter box, the results can be soiling somewhere else in the house. The litter box should always be placed away from the area the cat is fed. 

Providing a litter box on every level of the house may also help, especially in a multi-cat household. Is one of the cats guarding one of the litter boxes or making another uncomfortable using it? Providing a litter box in a more private location may remedy this problem.

Help your cat adjust to changes 

Has a new pet or new baby been added to the family recently, or have there been other changes in your cat’s regular routine? Change can be extremely stressful for cats. Provide time for the cat to adjust and a quiet place for the cat to retreat. 

For tips to help reduce stress in your cat, and ideas for enrichment to keep them healthy and happy, visit shelterheathpro.com

Here’s another resource from Fear Free Happy Homes as well!