Whether you’re a new cat owner or your furry friend is getting older, you may have noticed your cat has peed on the carpet, and you’re looking for an answer as to why. Not only does this cause pet owners stress to clean up, but it’s often an indication that something is wrong with your cat.
With the right training, patience and care, you can identify what is causing this behaviour and learn how to stop your cat peeing on the carpet or around the house. In this blog, we’ll cover all the reasons why your cat might be weeing outside its litter tray and what you can do to help rectify this.
By the end of this guide, you’ll be an expert on how to keep you and your cat happy and your home urine-free.
Help create a safe space for your beloved kitty with our range of cat calming and behaviour products at VetUK.
Why is my cat peeing on the carpet?
Before learning how to stop your cat peeing on the carpet, it’s important to understand the underlying causes for this behaviour. Cats don’t wee outside of their litter tray for no reason, and it is often an indicator that something is wrong.
Medical problems
- UTIs – Urinary tract infections can cause cats discomfort, and they may try to wee somewhere they find more comfortable or to let you know they feel uncomfortable.
- Bladder stones or urinary crystals – This issue can cause regular urination and discomfort when going.
- Diabetes and kidney disease – These conditions can cause frequent urination and urgency to go alongside a feeling of not being fully empty.
- Arthritis – Old cats might suffer from arthritis, resulting in joint pain and stiffness, which can make it difficult for them to climb into the litter box. This can result in weeing on the ground where it’s more comfortable for them.
When you first notice your cat peeing on the carpet or outside of the box, the first step should be to consult a vet to ensure your cat isn’t unwell.
Problems with the litter box
Cats can be picky when it comes to their litter box, and there are several reasons why your feline friend may choose not to use it.
- Dirty litter – If their litter hasn’t been cleaned and is already soiled, your cat may refuse to use it.
- Box shape and size – Your litter box may be too small for your cat or an awkward shape that makes it hard for them to feel comfortable.
- Choice of litter – Your cat might not like the litter you are choosing or the scent.
- Placement of the litter box – If the litter box is in a cramped area or a loud spot with little company, your cat may not feel safe using it.
Anxiety or stress
Cats can hide their stress or express it in different ways, and one of these can be urinating outside of the litter box.
The introduction of a new pet, new child or visitors can cause anxiety in cats, and this can result in toilet problems. The same comes from stress induced by territorial behaviour. A new cat in the house or neighbourhood may result in peeing or spraying on the carpet to mark its territory and assert dominance.
Even things like changes to routines, moving the litter box or moving furniture can cause stress in cats.
Habit association
Even if you have cleaned your carpet after an incident, your cat may still be able to smell the cleaned urine and associate this area with a litter spot. This can lead to their urinating in this spot again, even if your cat feels better.
How to stop your cat peeing on the carpet
Now that you know what may cause your cat to be urinating outside of the litter tray, you can learn how to stop this issue from recurring.
Step 1 – Schedule a vet visit
The first step in stopping this problem is to ensure there are no underlying health issues causing this behaviour. Your vet will most likely take a urine sample and organise blood tests to determine if medical issues like UTIs or kidney disease are to blame.
If it’s determined that a medical condition is the cause of this behaviour, your vet will create a treatment plan. Once your cat feels better, it should hopefully stop peeing on the carpet.
Step 2: Deep clean your carpets
Once your cat has peed on the carpet, it needs to be thoroughly cleaned to stop this from recurring. Even if you’ve cleaned your carpet with regular cleaner, your cat can still smell this odour when we humans can’t.
When you clean your carpet, use specially designed hygiene and sterilisation cleaners for pet urine. Products that contain enzymes are best as they can break down the urine and remove it better than standard cleaners.
Don’t use any cleaning solutions containing ammonia, as this has a similar smell of urine and can encourage accidents to continue in this spot. Bleach should also never be used to clean cats’ or any other pee, as it can mix with the ammonia in their urine to create dangerous and toxic fumes.
If your cat has used multiple places on your carpet to urinate or there are old, stubborn stains, it could be worth hiring a professional cleaner. They will have the knowledge and equipment to properly remove the stains and any trace of urine to help prevent the problem.
Step 3: Optimise litter tray space
It’s no secret that cats are picky with a lot of things, from food to toys, but they’re particularly fussy about their bathroom setup. Making adjustments to give them a space they feel comfortable with can be the key to learning how to stop your cat from peeing in the house.
- Every cat should get their own litter tray, plus a communal one. If you have 1 cat, it’s always ideal to offer 2 litter boxes if you have enough space in the house. That way, they have a second option, which can help them avoid choosing the carpet.
- Always ensure you have the right litter box for your cat. If you have a large cat, it needs a tray that’s bigger than it with additional digging space.
- Keep your cat’s litter tray clean, scooping daily or more depending on how often the cat uses the tray. Replace the litter completely at least once a week and ensure the tray is topped up with fresh litter once you remove the old litter.
- There are a number of different litter types for cats that can be used as an alternative to standard clay litter. You can try a litter of different-sized grains, clumping or non-clumping and even wood pellet litters. Experimenting until you find one your cat prefers can help to make them feel comfortable in their tray.
- Place litter trays well away from where your cat eats and in accessible but quieter spots of the home.
- If your cat has mobility issues, low entry boxes with hoods or covers can make it easier for your cat to step in and out, whilst also giving them privacy.
Neuter your cat
If your cat is spraying in the home or urinating outside of the box to show dominance, it could be that neutering your cat can help to reduce this behaviour. Un-neutered cats are more territorial, and female cats can go into heat if they are not spayed, which can cause them to become anxious or stressed.
This simple procedure often helps to calm territorial cats and can stop issues like peeing inside the house from occurring again.
Help reduce anxiety and stress
If your cat is peeing around the house out of stress, it’s important to make them feel as safe as possible.
- Create safe spaces and hiding spots away from people. This can be in boxes, quiet rooms or dedicated spaces under beds for your cat to retreat if they need to.
- Keep your cat on a routine. This will help them settle into a habit and feel more consistent in their life.
- Invest in interactive and calming cat toys to help your cat feel enriched and spend some important bonding time with you.
- Use cat calming products like Feliway in spots around the house to help reduce anxiety.
Prevent peeing outside the box by addressing the cause
When you notice your cat has peed on the floor, the most important thing to remember is that this is not natural or normal behaviour for a cat. You should never punish your cat for this, as it is almost always an indicator that something is wrong, whether it’s a medical or behavioural issue.
Getting to the bottom of the cause and understanding your cat’s needs can help to create a clean, stress-free environment that can help prevent accidents from occurring again.
If you need any advice on what to do when your cat has these accidents or are looking for the right pet care products to support your feline friend, get in touch today. Our team can point you in the right direction and also offer further treatment advice.
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