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Cat Urinating in the House? Why They Do and How to Stop It!

Published by Annie Anderson
Last updated: January 6, 2024

Why Does Your Cat Urinate in the House?

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While your cat is furry and cute, it can be irritating when you see them spray all-around your home, creating a mess and a stinky smell you can’t seem to remove!

Your act may be urinating in the house for specific reasons, and it isn’t just because he isn’t housebroken. Here are the reasons why your cat urinates in the house:​

1. Medical Problems

Your cat may be suffering from diseases in the urinary tract. Some conditions present in the kidney or liver may also cause your cat to drink more water, thus causing your feline to urinate more.​

Your cat may urinate in inappropriate areas around your house (even if the cat is housebroken) if it can’t get to its litter box in time. 

2. Behavioral Problems

Your cat may be suffering from a lot of frustration, stress, or anxiety. The negative feelings may cause a change in their urinating habits. It may be due to the desire to mark their territory when a new cat moves in.

It can also be caused by the litter tray, where your cat may not like the type of litter you put, or where the tray is placed. Sometimes, your cat may have a hard time heading to the litter tray (from old age, obesity, or sickness), so they choose to urinate wherever is nearest.

Another reason would be that your cat is not housebroken, meaning that your cat does not know where to pee. Or, your cat may have grown accustomed to peeing in one area around your home that isn’t the litterbox, such as the wooden floor or carpet.

3. Territory

Just like dogs, your cat may just be marking their territory to let other cats know who is in charge. This is most common with male cats that are not neutered.

How to Stop a Cat Urinating in the House

There are various ways on how to stop your cat from urinating in the house.

The only requirements are just a bit of your time and patience. Here are suggestions on how to stop your cat urinating in the house:

1. Medication

​If your cat is suffering from any sicknesses in the stomach, then it’s best to have him checked by the veterinarian and purchase medication to treat it. It will help stop excessive or urgent peeing.

Another type of medication you can get for your cat would be anti-anxiety medicine, which will ease the anxiety, especially when there are recent changes in the house.

2. Marking Soiled Areas

If your cat has a problem with peeing on one particular spot, then clean it properly without the use of overpowering cleaners, as your cat may end up over marking the area.

You can neutralize the scent through cleaning marked spots with a water-vinegar mixture.

Also, make that soiled area as unattractive as possible. But if you don’t want to ruin the design of the area, you can encourage your cat to stay around the areas they should urinate. Feed, play or give treats to your cat near the litter box to encourage your furry friend to not leave the litter box area.

3. Change or Clean the Litter Box

Your cat’s problem may be the litter box. Cats do not like urinating in an already soiled litter, so it’s best to replace and clean your Litter box. Use a feline-friendly disinfectant and make sure that it is free of strong smells that may discourage the cat from using it.

You can change the location of the litter tray, making it more accessible and private for your cat. You can also place it near the areas your cat would usually soil to prevent entice using the litter tray.

Use the type of litter that has the consistency of sand. If changing litter, do it slowly. Mix it in with the usual litter for your cat to adjust to the change. There is Cat Attract Litter, which is designed to attract cats into urinating into the litter.

In rare cases, you may need to replace the litter tray if you notice that your cat feels insecure or exhibits a change in behavior. 

I would strongly suggest going through all the other steps before considering a new litter tray/ litter box.

4. Retraining

Train your cat where to urinate in the litter tray by placing a large pen with the litter tray to associate urination with the tray.

If your cat makes a mess, then clean it up with tissue and place it on the litter tray, to again associate where your cat needs to pee.

It may take a few days or weeks, but it is an effective way to teach your cat where to urinate.

If your cat continues avoiding the litter box/tray, consider purchasing “attract cat litter”.

5. Territorial

The reason why you find your cat urinating in the house is that cats by nature are territorial, especially when other cats are present.

To discourage this behavior, make sure your cat does not look outside where other animals pass by. Boarding up windows or using dark curtains can help.

6. Restrict Access

If your cat keeps on peeing in one particular room (such as the basement, bathroom, or laundry room), then make sure to keep all doors locked and closed, so your cat won’t be able to go inside and make a mess.

If you aren’t able to close the door, put aluminum foil by the entrance; cats do not like the sound when they step on tin foil.

In Conclusion

When it comes to keeping your cat disciplined, training your cat to urinate in the proper area is essential! Not only will this help with behavior, but it will save you from cleaning up after your cat and avoid funky smells.

Hopefully, this article helps you understand the issues with your cat and how to resolve them.

We hope you enjoyed the article! If you have any other tips or questions on your cat urinating in the house, then comment down below. We’d love to hear what you have to think.​

This Post Has One Comment

  1. Pat

    Thanks for your help with this problem. There is one thing we have found that seems to help and it is the Feliway diffuser to help calm them.
    After reading this I think the problem may be because of the wild cats we feed and him seeing them outside the door and window. So will try
    your suggestion of blocking off his view.

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