Cats can make wonderful companions and pets. They are generally quite clean animals. However, sometimes an issue can occur in which your favorite feline friend will begin urinating in places around the house that they aren’t supposed to. There can be many reasons for this. If it occurs, you’ll want to find the cause and address the problem as soon as possible in order to stop it from becoming an unbreakable habit.
First and foremost, inappropriate household urination can be due to health problems, like urinary tract infections or kidney issues. You should rule out these possible causes with a trip to a veterinarian before trying any of the below suggestions.
You should try and determine whether the problem urination is due to spraying or another issue. Spraying is the act of urination to mark territory. You can tell if the urination is due to spraying by checking the type of pattern it makes. Urination from spraying will look like a splatter of urine, and will rarely cause a puddle. If the urine forms a puddle, it is likely not spraying and is due to some other issue. If your cat is spraying, then you’ll want to address it by making the cat feel more secure in the home. If you have more than one cat, or any other animals, try giving the cat a separate area for their bedding, food and water. You may also consider adding another litter box, especially if you have a large home or have a home with more than one floor. This will simply make it easier and more convenient for your cat to urinate where you want them to. Also consider the location of litter boxes carefully, they should allow easy access and should not be totally hidden away.
You may also want to try using a different litter box. The litter box may be uncomfortable for the cat, especially if it feels closed in or dark. You’ll also want to make sure it is easy for them to enter and turn around in. If your cat is older, then make sure the litter box doesn’t have too high of a step to get inside it.
Regardless of why the problem is occurring, be sure to always clean the urine as thoroughly as possible. It may help to use a black light for detecting urine and special urine removal sprays which contain enzymes which neutralize the urine odor. Getting rid of the odor is especially important, as the lingering odor can cause your cat to re-urinate on the same spot many times.
It’s also critical to make sure you clean the litter box and change the litter on a regular basis. Cats don’t like to use litter boxes which are smelly and dirty. The type of litter can also be an issue. Some cats may not like litter which is perfumed. Cats generally like consistency, so try not to change the litter on them all of a sudden.
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