When your cat pees outside of the litter box, it is a very frustrating experience for you as a cat owner. However, what you may not realize is that your cat is just as stressed out as you. Cats can’t speak, so they look to you for help. The truth is that there are specific reasons for your cat’s change in behavior. This post highlights four common causes for cat peeing in the house.
Reason#1: Always Keep It Clean – Your cat’s litter box is its toilet. Cats are very clean creatures and are very particular about their litter box. When the litter is not regularly cleaned out, they will seek out an alternate space. Imagine if you were expected to use the same toilet over and over again without flushing. Well, now you have an idea of how your cat feels.
Ideally, you should clean the litter box twice a day. As inconvenient as that may be, cleaning your cat’s litter box multiple times a day is more convenient than cleaning and/or replacing urine soaked carpets or rugs later.
Reason #2: Litter Matters – You may think all litter is identical, however, your cat thinks differently. Cats object to certain litters because of the scent, coarse textures or because it produces too much dust. If your cat seems to prefer one brand in particular, keep buying it. Regardless of any coupons you may see for other brands, stick with what makes your feline satisfied. Saving a couple of bucks now is not worth a headache later.
Reason #3: Mine, Mine, Mine! – Cats have been domesticated for thousands of years, but every now and then, their feral (wild) side makes an appearance. Cats may become territorial when they feel threatened. Dogs, other cats or even children may be considered household threats by your cat.
Reason # 4 – Underlying Health Issues – For some cats the culprit to their peeing is a health issue, such as a urinary tract infection (UTI) or kidney problems, which can cause them to pee in unusual places. Always check with your vet to rule out any underlying medical conditions.
To summarize, cat urination is an equally frustrating problem for you as a cat owner and for your cat. As a pet owner it is important to understand the underlying reasons behind this behavior. Despite these frustrations, there are steps that you can take to eliminate this problem quickly in order to regain your cat’s health and happiness.