Inappropriate urination in cats could cause frustration to pet owners sometimes. So how to stop cats from peeing outside the litter box? The answer to this question largely depends on the root cause of this issue. 

In this post from Longhaired whippet, you’ll grasp the knowledge of why your pet pees inappropriately while going down the road with practical tips to curb and prevent the urinary problem in the first place. 

Why do cats pee inappropriately? 

Urinary issues are quite common in cat urinates in the incorrect place for one of two general reasons: be it a behavioral issue or a medical problem.

Behavioral Reasons 

Before reaching out to the vet, it’s a good practice for any owners to keep tabs on some behavioral and external factors that cause their cats to behave this way. 

• Territorial marking 

Inappropriate urination in cats can simply refer to their instinctive animal behavior. If your pet is unhappy with his resident mate under the same roof or feels the threat from an intruder, he will mark his territory by spraying all around. This action can help to deliver a message to others to not invade his comfort zone by all means. 

Cats are sensitive to even the smallest change in their environment. To avoid them spaying inappropriately, you should give them a chance to get to know the new animal or human slowly. 

• Dirty Litter Box

First, check your pet’s peeing items carefully. A cat’s inappropriate urination can be simply triggered by the dirty litter box. Alternatively, it may be spotless but quite uncomfortable for him to use. For example, the box is relatively small compared to your pet’s size. Or, is it in a location that your little friend doesn’t like? All these factors can bother your cat and make him pee in the outside areas. 

• Old Urine Smells

The smell of the previous urination might remain even after you had cleaned up all the mess. In fact, a feline’s sense of smell is acute and much better than our humankind. If old urine smells remain in your home, there’s likely that your cat will return to the area due to the odor in the atmosphere.

Health Problems

If inappropriate urination happens frequently, you might need to bring your pet to the vet to rule out any medical issues. There a number of common urinary issues in cats:

• Bladder stones: 

Stones in the cat’s bladder can trigger irritation and even cause blockage in the pet’s urinary system. In this case, the vet will use X-rays to determine the size and quantity of the stones. Smaller crystals might be dissolved with a special diet, but your pet might need surgery to remove larger stones out of his bladder. 

• Idiopathic cystitis: 

Idiopathic cystitis refers to inflammation of the bladder. If your cat is suffering from the condition, he will often have blood in the urine. In such a situation, testing a urine sample is essential as the blood may only be detected microscopically. Then, to get rid of this urinary issue, a combination of both diet changes and medications will be used.

• Metabolic disease: 

The metabolic disease will lead to an increase in the intensity of urination in cats. To make the matter worse, it could lead to some serious health issues such as liver disease, thyroid issues, and diabetes. If you notice that your pet has drunk more or there’s an abnormal increase in the time you have to clean the litter box, then take him to the vet immediately. Your veterinarian may want to carry out some blood work to check for these issues. 

Urinary problems could lead to a serious urinary obstruction, especially in male cats. If your cat is experiencing these issues, don’t delay the trip to the vet. 

Read more: Why Do Your Cat Get The Zoomies After Pooping?

How to stop cats from peeing outside the litter box

Note that these tips on how to stop cats from peeing outside the litter box below are for behavioral and external issues that are mentioned in section 1. Any causes from internal issues should be addressed in a timely manner with the help of the vet. 

Begin with the litter box

To eliminate inappropriate urination in cats, be sure the litter box areas are as clean and desirable to your pet as possible. Choose one that better suits your cat’s size and try to keep it uncovered. Next, place the box in a quiet but accessible corner of the house. Do not put it in the spot in which your feline eats or sleeps.  

It’s also advisable to have more than one litter box in a one-cat household. Experts say that some cats tend to prefer using one box for urine and the other for stool. 

You can also take your cat to the pet shop, let him choose his favorite litter box. This will give him more comfort every time he uses the box.

Clean up the peeing areas

If your cat urinates in inappropriate areas, it’s essential to keep those places thoroughly. Otherwise, you might see your pet end up continuing to pee there. 

Make sure that you’ve got rid of all the odor, not just for your own sake, but also so the smell doesn’t draw your cat back to that same spot.

To do that, you can use your nose or even a black light to identify the areas. With fresh urine, use paper sheets and cloth towels to blot up as much as possible. For older spots, it’s best to adopt a suitable cleaning method to deal with the smell. For instance:

• Clothing, bedding, towels, etc.: You can clean these items in the washing machine using a cold cycle. Then, it’s important to hang them outside under the sun to allow them to dry without any smell.
• Floors and other hard surfaces: Use your favorite household cleaning solution to tidy up those areas. You can also consider pet stains for complete odor removal. 
• Carpets, rugs, mattresses, and upholstery: wash them carefully with a washing machine, then use a special cleaning solution to get rid of the odor. Finally, bring them out and let the items dry under the sun. Tackle territory issue

If you have multiple cats living under the same roof, make sure each one has his own cleaning item to avoid competition. Also, you need to get your pet used to multiple situations with the presence of other cats. To do this, it’s best to socialize him from a very young age, about 3-12 weeks old. You can take him outside the house and let him play with some animals in the park. 

An important point is that don’t ever let your cat involve in fights with other felines. Conflicts and aggression only worsen the problem. Last but not least, be patient while introducing a new member to the existing pet. The newbie needs to be kept separate for a while before it officially gets acceptance by the resident one.  

How to stop cats from peeing outside the litter box: Spend time with your cat

Remember to play with your cat and provide treats or toys if necessary. If your cat pees outside the box, avoid shouting and physical punishment as they can only lead to s series of mental illnesses in the long run  Keep an eye on all the abnormalities during the cat’s urination. Any sudden change of pain that your pet confronts is an indicator of urine issues.

In general, the key to stopping inappropriate urination in cats or avoiding it altogether is as simple as being a responsible, attentive cat owner. Keep your cat healthy and visit the vet for routine care and as soon as issues crop up. Minimize stress in your cat’s environment and try to keep a cat-friendly, low-stress home.